With hats in place and rackets firmly in hand, Grant Oberg (left) and Andrew Hallberg studiously perform a footwork drill at summer tennis practice. The boys participated in the QuicksStart: 8 & Under Division.
The Cook County tennis courts have been busy this summer as 47 junior tennis players ages 5 – 17 years joined the fun of the 2011 USTA National Junior Tennis League of Cook County program in Grand Marais.
Young tennis players practiced and played in one of four groups— the QuickStart: 8 & Under Division, QuickStart: 10 & Under Division, Stars Division and Stripes Division. Kids were on the courts morning and afternoon four days a week working with coaches John Muus, Tim Scannell, Paul Muus and Mark Summers.
“It’s always rewarding to see the excitement and progress made throughout the program and from year to year.,” said John Muus. “It’s especially exciting when these young players reach that higher competitive skill level and take advantage of opportunities to compete against players outside of Cook County. We have a growing number of players who are very competitive in older age groups as well as their own age groups.”
The QuickStart 8 & Under players had a great time in the summer tennis program. (L-R, front) Anna Heeren, Finn Furcht, Ella Sporn, Noah Furcht, and Louise Ramberg. (L-R, back) Amery Oberg, Weston Heeren, Molly LaVigne, Andrew Hallberg and Flynn Callender. (Not pictured – Hazel Kemp, Riley Tarver, Gus Hahn, Anna Hay and Ella Hedstrom.)
Muus expressed appreciation to local businesses that helped sponsor the summer National Junior Tennis League program, along with the CCTA—North Shore Federal Credit Union, Johnson’s Foods, Sven & Ole’s Pizza, Grand Marais State Bank, Lake Superior Trading Post, Thomsonite Beach Inn & Suites, Arrowhead Electric, Mike’s Holiday Station Store and Times Two Design. “Thanks for your support!” said Muus.
In addition to the summer league, 65 junior tennis players participated in the spring USTA Jr. Team Tennis after-school program, honing their skills. Muus said, “Come and watch some of our junior players compete at the Fisherman’s Picnic Junior Tennis Tournament, August 3 – 4. Matches begin at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3.
The QuickStart 10 & under tennis players were (L-R, front) Sela Backstrom, Abbie Crawford, Ellen Callender and Tate Crawford. (L-R, back) Will Ramberg, Tristen Bockovich, Connor Somnis, and Ethan Sporn. (Not pictured – Seth Kemp, Reilly Wahlers, Halle Lamb, Chloe Blackburn, and Erik Babatz.)
Leave a Reply