BSAC Shows Strength During Battle Of The Clubs Tennis Tourney

By Tamas Monodvics

Members of the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Club adult tennis program enjoyed a day of competition and a measure of success during the Battle of the Clubs tennis tourney held earlier this month.

The event, hosted by the FishHawk Ranch Tennis Club and organized by club director David Freiman, brought together talented players from the four area clubs including BSAC, River Hills, Buckhorn Springs and FishHawk Ranch.

While River Hills won the overall championship, BSAC staff members were proud of the center’s tennis champions who sported some pretty formidable results.

JD Smith and Ivo Cantrell won the Men’s 3.0 Doubles, while Chelita Houston and Donna Kyle were runners up of the Women’s 3.5 Doubles.

“I am wore out,” said Cantrell just moments after winning the men’s final match.

Along with Smith, Cantrell, 70, played two games in the morning followed by the final match against the River Hills duo in the afternoon.

“It was a great day of competition and the tournament was put together very well,” Cantrell said, adding, “I am looking forward to doing it again.”

Other BSAC club championship participants were Jose Ramos, Dario Jaramillo, Julie Center, Sue Busk, Corey Karlen and Marta Ramos.

“What a ‘smashing’ job, everyone,” said BSAC Tennis director, Allen Liberato, who also spoke highly of the event, its host and its successful outcome.

Topping off the day was the awards presentation to the individual division doubles winners and the overall tennis club trophy cup, which earns the Battle of the Clubs winner some much-deserved bragging rights until the next time.

The event was supported by local sponsors including Busciglio Smiles (Gold), FishHawk Ranch by Newland Communities and Abacus Enterprises (Silver) and Bronze sponsor, Dr. Robert A. Norman (Dermatology in Riverview).

The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center, located at 405 Beverly Blvd. in Brandon, is proud of the tennis programs offered to young and old. The center’s Junior Tennis program is designed to make the game fun while guiding each player’s development, whether for personal enjoyment or sharpening competitive skills for tournaments, high school, college and beyond. For more information about BSAC, visit http://www.mybsac.org.