Mid-Atlantic juniors had a strong showing at the Winter National Championships in Arizona.
Scottsdale hosted the Boys’ and Girls’ 16s and 18s divisions. Spencer Liang (with Florida partner Maci Epstein) took 4th place in the Girls' 18s Doubles. Shannon Hudson and Victoria Olivarez (pictured left) earned Silver Balls in the Girls' 16 Doubles, falling in the finals after 3 tough sets 6-0, 3-6, 4-6. Oxon Hill, Maryland, resident Skylar Holloway (pictured right) lost a 3-set heartbreaker in the semi-finals of the Girls' 16s Singles draw, but rebounded to capture third place and the Bronze Ball by defeating Ellyse Hamlin 6-3, 6-4.
The 12s and 14s age divisions were 128-player compass draws, hosted at Refkin Tennis Center in Tucson. In the Boys' 12s, Andrew Fenty reached the round of 16 before falling to the 10th Seed Ivan Thamma. Elizabeth Scotty reached the finals of the Girls' 12s Silver Consolation and took 4th place in the Doubles. The Boys' 14s Gold Consolation was won by Evan Zhu and Sean Sculley, who lost in the finals of the Southeast Draw. The crowning achievement goes to Francis Tiafoe (pictured left) of College Park, MD, who earned two Gold Balls—one for winning the Boys' 14s Singles Draw 7-6(4), 6-2 over Michael Genender of Southern California and another one for capturing the doubles title 6-2, 6-1 with Florida partner Chase Colton.
Current professionals who own USTA Winter National titles include: Christina McHale (12s, 2004); Donald Young (14s, 2002); Alexa Glatch (14s, 2002); and Jack Sock (12s, 2004, and 16s, 2008).
Congratulations to all participants on an excellent National Championship!