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National Champions, Pinole Park 7.0 L to R: Brandon Chu (Captain), Winston Liu, John Quandt, Ron Sid, Bill Raynolds, Albert Chu (Captain), Robert Candelario, Andrew Hall, Louie Mangaser, Juanito Latorre Escareal.
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National finalists chico Racquet club 9.0 L to R: Leslie Zauher, Sandy Lim, Catherine Billecci, Sue Carlson, Patricia Selsky (Captain), Janet Balbutin, Marcia Hamburg, Leslie Vallejo, Mary Harris, Chris Parker.
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PINOLE PARK 7.0 MEN CROWNED NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, CHICO RACQUET CLUB 9.0 WOMEN
FINISH SECOND AT USTA LEAGUE SUPER SENIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
SURPRISE, ARIZ., April 30, 2012 – The men’s team from Pinole Park captured the national title at the USTA League 7.0 Super Senior National Championships held at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex in Surprise, Arizona.
The Pinole team defeated a team from St. Louis, Mo., 2-1 in the Championship match. On Saturday afternoon, the Pinole team defeated a team from Dallas, Texas, 2-1 in the semifinals after winning their round-robin flight contested Friday and Saturday.
The team is captained by Albert Chu and his son Brandon Chu and features Winston Liu, John Quandt, Ron Sid, Bill Raynolds, Robert Candelario, Andrew Hall, Louie Mangaser and Juanito Latorre Escareal and plays at Pinole Park.
Brandon Chu, not nearly old enough to play on the team, co-captains the team with his father, Albert. Brandon keeps Albert doesn't use email so he relies on Brandon to " tell him what's going on in the virtual world of tennis."
"The strategy was to stay smart, stay loose, and stay hydrated!" said Brandon. "I provided moral support and chaperoned most of the team through the weekend," he added. "Its been a great run for friends and family. Most of our team are from so many different places that it took my dad to form a tennis family who sweats, laughs, and plays together in a tiny little Pinole tennis area."
The top four 7.0 teams in order of finish were: Northern California Section, Missouri Valley Section, Pacific Northwest Section and Texas Section.
The women’s team from Chico Racquet Club and Resort finished second at the USTA League 9.0 Super Senior National Championships held in Surprise, Arizona.
The Chico team lost to a Southern California team from Lake Forest, 2-1 in the Championship match. Earlier in the day, the Chico team defeated a team from Chestnut Hill, Mass., 3-0 in the semifinals. They advanced this far by winning their round-robin flight.
The team is captained by Patricia Selsky and features Leslie Zauher, Sandy Lim, Catherine Billecci, Sue Carlson, Janet Balbutin, Marcia Hamburg, Leslie Vallejo, Mary Harris, Chris Parker and plays at the Chico Racquet Club & Resort.
Captain Patricia Selsky said, "For the last 3 years running, various members of our team have taken 2nd at nationals. Although we may not have won (darn that soCal team), we had the best time of any team. Our Chico Racquet Club sponsor and player, Janet Balbutin, was the hit of the player party doing her Elvis impersonation in a fabulous costume."
The top four teams in order of finish were: Southern California Section, Northern California Section, Southern Section and New England Section.