El Paso's first outdoor pickleball league is in the books - what a milestone for our pickleball community! A big shout out to Marc Aguirre and Mayda Copado for not only organizing the El Paso Pickleball League but also hosting the most fun end-of-league party at the Rio Grande Valley Ranch! It is daunting to do something for the first time - find venues, and figure out team formation, etc. But a big chunk of our community was engaged and we even had people drive in from Las Cruces each week to participate.
A special "Thank You" to the division coordinators John Wooten and Jeff Harry (Intermediate division, played out of Grandview Park), and Joe Balsiger (Advanced division, played out of RGVR). Crucial in getting this league going was the support of Clay Bench, Carlos Guardado, and Miguel Ramos. It takes a village to run a pickleball league - volunteers are priceless!
The Intermediate division was intensely competitive throughout, and was highlighted in the final show down. When Just Dink It won the women's point, Pickleball Busters was put into a must-win Men's match; they came through with a 35-33 score in the third game. With just the Mixed match left, Just Dink It pulled the win to take the league title.
Just Dink It team members shown are Justin Cleveland, Glen Swan, Dina Chen (captain), Cade Cleveland, Lali Chavez, and Jentry Cleveland.
Team Captains - where would we be without you, trying to make everyone happy? Buy these people a beer: Albert Carillo, Isabel Carillo, Dina Chen, Ervin Medina, John Wooten and Mayda Copado, Intermediate Division. In the Advanced: Hope Perez, Paige Bowling, Nolene Bench, Kennedy, Adrianna Boykova, Marc Aguirre, and Abby Guardado
Dink and Destroy took the Advanced title, with team members Al Lanza, Claudia Morales, Adrianna Boykova, Marc Aguirre and Ben Chen. Not shown: Javier Porras and Amos Gomez.
Congratulations to all of the players, and to RGVR on the expansion from two pickleball courts to four.
We love our members - please renew!
On-line you can renew for just $17 for all of 2025: click here. OR find a Board member and pay cash $15 if you prefer. Look for Patty Morrow, Kelly Groves, Ben Avalos, Jim Rolph, or Jamie Fisher.
Rock Around the Clock Centennial High School Fundraiser
Ok - how much fun is it that a tennis team is doing a pickleball tournament as a fundraiser? It is a true sense of community when the two sports can help each other out.
December 7 - 8, Las Cruces:
Advanced women's Doubles:
Paige Bowling and Yuki Goto 1st Place (center)
Claudia Morales and Adrianna Boykova 2nd place (left)
Beverly Boozer and Rita Borunda (Las Cruces) 3rd Place (right)
Advanced Mixed:
Paige Bowling and Andrew Bustamante, 1st Place
Montana and Miles Davis, 2nd Place
Claudia Morales and Javi Porras, 3rd Place
San Juan Recreation Center Winter Bash Tournament
San Juan is an older gym nestled in a neighborhood near I 10 and Paisano, in the Bassett Center area. This tournament collected Christmas toys for the neighborhood children.
Amos Gomez and Dina Chen 1st Place
Jack Castro and Monica 2nd Place
Al Lanza and Lia Shelton 3rd Place
Happy Holidays everybody. Make time to
Play happy,
Jamie Fisher
President, Pickleball El Paso Association
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