The PLS Foundation currently provides higher education scholarships for junior pickleball players who have excelled at a Qualifying Event. The awards are given to the gold medalists of the oldest junior boys and girls doubles divisions. If a division is canceled, the default will be the first and second place teams in the oldest junior mixed doubles division, and if that is also canceled, the last contingency will be the first and second place players in the oldest junior boys and girls singles divisions. In the unfortunate case of all junior events being canceled, the scholarship awards will be held until the following year.

2023 USAP National Pickleball Championships

The 2023 USAP National tournament was held in Texas for the first time. The venue at Brookhaven Country Club was amazing and had a mix of indoor and outdoor courts. These juniors battled through the day and came out with the gold! (special thanks to Bryan Yeung photography)

Left to right: Rob Davidson (PLS President), Ella Cosma, Ella Yeh, Jaden Lam, Kody Lam, Justin Maloof (USAP COO)

Ella Cosma: info coming soon!

Ella Yeh: info coming soon!

Jaden Lam: info coming soon!

Kody Lam: info coming soon!

 

2023 US Open Pickleball Championships

Our 2nd year at the US Open was a lot of fun, and no bad weather for our juniors! As planned, we were able to provide awards to the Junior Boys Doubles Gold Medalists and the Junior Girls Doubles Gold Medalists. It is always fun at the US Open with these juniors! (special thanks to Meredith and Rusty Howes, and Hercilio Cabieses)

Left to right: Rusty Howes, Rob Davidson, Connor Chaffin, Chase Brautman, Bella Nelson, Morgan Brown, and Hercilio Cabieses

Left to right: Connor Chaffin, Chase Brautman, Bella Nelson, Morgan Brown

Connor Chaffin – (pictured above) Connor Chafin was born in April, 2007 and currently resides in Ohio. At the time of this competition, he was in the 11th grade of high school. We asked Connor a few questions to get to know his pickleball story:
PLS: What do you like most about pickleball?
Connor: “What I like most about pickleball is all the strategy behind it.”
PLS: How did you, or who got you, into pickleball?
Connor: “We had family coming into town 3 years ago that wanted to try pickleball so they sent paddle here from Amazon and we played while they were here and never stopped!”
PLS: Do you have a favorite pickleball related story?
Connor: “My favorite pickleball story would have to be when I got to warm up with Simone in Punta Gorda January 2023.”
At the time of the tournament, Connor has not yet decided where he will apply for college, but said that he plans to pursue a degree in Music. The PLS Foundation wishes Connor the best as he continues to enjoy pickleball and soon to be pursuing his musical dreams as well!

Chase Brautman – (pictured above) Chase was born in 2005 and competed in all three junior events at the 2023 US Open Pickleball Championships, winning a Triple Crown (gold in all three events). At the time of the competition, he was in 12th grade, and plans to attend the North Carolina University where he will pursue a degree in Business. We asked him a few questions and here are his responses:
PLS: What do you like most about pickleball?
Chase: “The community, and how everybody helps everybody continue to elevate their games.”
PLS: How did you, or who got you, into pickleball?
Chase: “I learned about it at Deer Valley YMCA Family Camp and my family bought paddles on our way home and we continued to play when we got home.”
PLS: Do you have a favorite pickleball related story?
Chase: “My favorite pickleball story is when I got to coach with Simone Jardim at her court in her backyard.”
The PLS Foundation is proud to support his efforts in education and pickleball as well! Good luck to Chase!

Bella Nelson – (pictured above) Isabella (Bella) Nelson was born in 2005 and currently resides in Florida. At the time of her competition, she was in 12th grade, planning to attend Florida Atlantic University, where she plans to major in Business and potentially minor in Marketing Management. We asked a few questions and here were her answers:
PLS: What do you like most about pickleball?
Bella: “I love the community and how everyone is so supportive and so competitive and passionate.”
PLS: How did you, or who got you, into pickleball?
Bella: “My parents started bringing me to a local park to play during Covid and I was addicted ever since.”
PLS: Do you have a favorite pickleball related story?
Bella: “My favorite pickleball story is when I played my first tournament ever. I played in the 3.0 division with my Dad and I battled like it was a professional tournament. We played 5 matches to get into the final and we were down 3-13. We were able to come back all the way to 8-13 when we collided paddles and my finger turned purple and I was in so much pain. But I pushed through with a few tears and finished out the match winning 17-15.”
Pickleball offers something for everyone and especially to families looking to do things together, as evidenced by Bella’s story! PLS wishes the best for Bella in her continuing pickleball endeavors and her educational pursuits.

 

Morgan Brown – Our first 2 time award winner, Morgan Brown is really going to be ready for college once it starts! More info coming soon.

 

2022 USAP National Pickleball Championships

For several years, we tried to have awards held at the USAP National tournament, but cancellation and COVID prevented it until this year! Unfortunately, there were not enough junior girls to award the girls doubles division, so again, we had to give awards to the first and second place of the Junior Mixed Doubles event. Here are our winners: (special thanks to USAP, Karen Parrish, Hope Tulley, and Bryan Yeung)

Left to right: Rob Davidson, Karen Parish, Hope Tulley (back), Karina Lam (front), Jayden Lam, Kale Klein, and Chloe Igleski
(all Nationals photos: Yeung Photography)

Karina and Jayden Lam – This sister (Katrina, age 9) and brother (Jaden, age 14) duo live in Surprise, AZ. We asked them a few pickleball questions and here is what they had to say about their pickleball experience:

PLS: What is your favorite thing about pickleball?
Karina: “I like pickleball because I can play with people of all ages.  Pickleball is easy to learn and fun to play.  The pickleball community is very kind and social.”
Jaden: “Pickleball is easy to learn, and anyone can play it no matter the age, skill, or experience.  Pickleball is great for people who just want to have fun with friends and/or a good little workout. ”

PLS: How did you get into pickleball?
Karina: “My dad has played pickleball since I was a baby.  As I got older, my dad taught me how to play and in 2019, I started playing actual games.”
Jaden: “My dad has been playing pickleball since 2014.  I grew up watching and playing pickleball as much as I could.  As I got older, I started to play more and around 2019, I began playing tournaments.”

PLS: Do you have a favorite pickleball related story?
Karina: “The 2022 nationals was very memorable.  Right before I played my first match, I realized that my opponents were much older and had higher ratings, so I was very nervous about playing against them.  With the support from family and friends, I felt more confident in playing.  I played my best and was very proud of myself in getting silver against more experienced and older kids.”
Jaden: “My trip to the 2022 Nationals was unforgettable.  Everything there was amazing, the vendors, championship court, the facility, and others.  My first day there I competed in two different events.  I played Junior mixed and men’s doubles.  In the morning I played mixed with my 9-year old sister, Karina.  My sister did amazing, carrying me to a silver medal.  I was really proud of her, she did extremely very well against much older and experienced players.  Later that afternoon, I played men’s doubles with a friend of mine, Xavier.  We played very well, not losing a single game and got gold.  The next afternoon I played singles, winning gold, only losing one game to my 11 year old brother, Kody.  I finished the tournament with 2 golds and a silver.  It was an amazing experience.”

Be on the lookout for these two going forward, their futures are bright!

Kale Klein – This young athlete was born in 2004 and has a long history with pickleball. He is from Brigham City, UT. His father, Kyle Klein, is one of the very best tournament directors, having run Tournament of Champions and even the USAP National tournament (although not this year), as well as being instrumental in the growth of pickleball in northern Utah. Kale has been busy teaching pickleball to juniors in his home town, and enjoys competing as well. This Fall, he will attend Grand Canyon University (GCU) where he will study Business Analytics. We asked him what he likes most about pickleball and he replied: “All of the friendships I have made and the places I have gotten to visit around the country that I wouldn’t have gotten to meet or see.” We also asked how he got into pickleball: “My parents were taught by my grandpa and when I was 5 years old they started letting me play and hit the ball and by 8 I was playing in tournaments.” I am sure he will continue to have pickleball be a large part of his life going forward!

Chloe Igleski – Chloe was in the 10th grade when she earned this award at the 2022 USAP National tournament. An Idaho resident, we asked her what she likes about pickleball and how she got into it. “I love the community and it is just overall an addicting and fun sport!” and “My dad introduced me to the sport.” We agree whole-heartedly, and kudos to dad for bringing Chloe into the world of pickleball. We look forward to seeing what direction she decides for her future.

 

2022 US Open Pickleball Championships

Our first Qualifying Event was met with some complications, as weather forced both the junior boys and girls doubles divisions to be canceled. Because of that, the awards were presented to the first and second place teams on the junior mixed doubles division. Let’s meet the winners! (special thanks to Rob Cassidy, Rusty and Meredith Howes)

 

Miranda Cabieses  – Originally from Lima, Peru, Miranda was born in 2004, and currently lives in Estero, Florida. For the 2022 US Open, she was registered for two events: Junior Mixed Doubles 15-18 and Junior Girls Doubles (which unfortunately was canceled due to the rain). Miranda is beginning her college education this year at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) where she plans to get a degree in Business Management. We asked her what she likes most about pickleball and how she got into the sport, and this was her reply: “What I like most about pickleball is that it doesn’t matter how old you are to be able to play it and the wide variety of categories for all ages and levels. I was a tennis player, but due to covid in 2021 I had the opportunity to come to Naples, Florida, where my brother lives, since I was doing school online. My brother, Hercilio, at that time was already playing the pro tour and he introduced me to this sport.” We are definitely glad that Miranda has found pickleball! We wish her all the best with her pursuit of a higher education at FGCU as she continues to grow and develop as a person and a player.

Morgan Brown – (no picture) Born in 2007, Morgan was registered for five events at the 2022 US Open: Women’s Skill/Age Singles 4.0: 19+, Women’s Skill/Age Doubles 4.5: 19+, Junior Mixed Doubles 15-18, and two events that were canceled due to the rain out: Mixed Skill/Age Doubles 4.0: 19+ and Junior Girls Doubles. At the time of her receiving the award, she currently lives in Naples, Florida. We hope she continues competing and enjoying pickleball as she gets closer to college admissions! More details to come.

 

Alec LaMacchio – Alec was born in 2006, and was registered for two events at the 2022 US Open: Junior Boys Doubles 15-18 (canceled due to rain out) and Junior Mixed Doubles 15-18. Currently, he lives in Naples, Florida, and although he is still young to be thinking about college, he said he plans to study Business and Finance! We asked what he likes about pickleball, how he got into it, and if he had a favorite pickleball related story, and here is his reply: “What I like most about pickleball is the social relationships that I build by playing. Also the competitive environment that I’m around in a tournament. I got into pickleball while in a summer vacation in Colorado. Some of our friends introduced us to the game and I got hooked! My favorite pickleball story is winning my first gold medal with my dad. It was a great feeling!” We are certainly looking forward to seeing more of Alec on the court and off as he grows up and can start thinking about his future. Whatever he decides, we hope that he remains a positive part of the pickleball community! More details to come.

Ronan Camron (no picture) – Currently residing in Fort Myers, FL, Ronan was born in 2004 and played one event at the 2022 US Open: Junior Mixed Doubles. Ronan has been playing competitively in tournaments since 2020, including some professional events!