Fall Classic gets largest juniors turnout

The 2006 Fall Classic organized by the Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association played host to 45 junior netters, which is the largest turn out for a tournament.

This according to NMITA official Jeff Race, who explained that while the 45 youth players were the most to put their skills to the test in a tournament, he believes the number can grow.

Race disclosed that he has identified about 16 players for the boys’ 18-and-under category and is looking to add another 12 players to the playing field by the next competition. He added that more players may also suit up for other age categories.

Meanwhile, champions were crowned yesterday as the three-day competition came to a close at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

Leading the cast of champions was Ji Hoon Heo, who continues to impress as he bagged the 18-and-under crown with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over fellow top gun Nicolas Son. Heo advanced to the finals after defeating cross-over player Mayuko Arriola by the same score, while Son earned his spot in the finals with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Russell Buenaventura.

Buenaventura placed third with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Arriola.

James Camacho was able to reign in the boys’ 13-and-under category after stopping Joe Motto Jr. in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1. This after Camacho advanced to the finals with a tough 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Rafael Jones. Motto made his finals appearance after beating Woo Suk Chang, 6-2, 6-2.

The boys’ 9-and-under division champion for 2006 is Quintin Ramsey, who survived a tough challenge against Dylan Ackerman for a 7-5 victory. Ramsey was able to play for the title after beating Michael Grandinetti, while Ackerman defeated Colin Ramsey, 6-4, to play for the title. Colin Ramsey wound up winning third place with a 6-0 win over Grandinetti.

In the girls’ corner, Thea Minor cruised past Melody Johnson to win the title with a 6-1, 6-0 victory. She first had to get past sister Theecel, 6-2, 6-0, in the semifinals. For Johnson, her ticket to the finals was earned after a 6-2, 6-2 win over Cleo Von Siebenthal.

Not to be outdone by the older players, the competitors in the girls’ 9-and-under category also put on a show, with Neghar Rastguiy and Gabrielle Race sporting perfect 3-0 records to play for the title.

Rastguiy defeated Lyza Atalig, 6-0, and beat both Emily Jones and Adele Hudkins with scores of 6-2.

For her part, Race defeated Atalig, 6-0, and beat Hudkins and Jones with scores of 6-1.

The two met in the final yesterday, and Rastguiy was able to win the title with a 6-3 victory.

Other 9-and-under results include Hudkins beating Jones, 6-2 and Atalig, 6-1; and Jones defeating Atalig, 6-0.