Athletics

athletics RACQUET RECAP A LOOK AT THE 2019-20 SQUASH SEASON SO FAR

TOP-BOTTOM: LADIES’ SQUASH WEEK; MO STATE DOUBLES; WORLD-CLASS SQUASH EXHIBITION, KARMIM GAWAD VS. GREG GAULTIER

To kick start the squash season, we hosted a fun singles and doubles club box league. Looking to bolster ladies squash, the MAC hosted Ladies Squash Week; a week of free squash clinics where 22 new ladies came, many for the first time. Once a month, the MAC hosted ladies squash social including prosecco by the courts.

In October, MAC played RC Cup in a St. Louis derby. The match featured our best singles and doubles A, B, C & D level players. It was a packed house for the fun night of competitive squash. Overall, MAC tied matches and games for the first time in history. Due to a technical glitch of ‘missing score cards’ the Cup stays at the Racquet Club.

During MO State Doubles Championships, MAC’s dynamic duo Craig Parker and Mark Gaertner lifted the Cup after a win over Ethan Oetter and Alex Wolff at RC, St. Louis Junior Silver Open: Meg Pruett GU17 finalist, Sameer Shafqat Semifinalist BU15, Henry Byrne BU17 Finalist, Jude Sorkin BU19 Finalist.

Thanksgiving Turkey Burner consisted of handicapped roundrobin play, which ended in a match between top juniors Eli Paul and Henry Byrne. Byrne won by one point in the final game. Verena Saunders and Milissa Beaty were undefeated in their doubles group.

Christmas Cracker Champion Pat Dolan got over the finish line for the first time ever with a wooden racquet to claim a cheeky title. January: F MO State Singles Championships: The biggest names in Missouri battled it out for bragging rights and featured a big MAC contingent. F Shout outs to: Meg Pruett Ladies finalist, Sameer Shafqat C finalist, Dan Tlapek D finalist. February: F St Louis Junior Bronze Open: Max Frank BU11 Winner, Will Frank BU13 Runner Up, CJ Goot BU15 Winner. The World Class Exhibition; presented by John Pruett and IBIS Autism, two World Champions ‘Le French General’ Greg Gaultier and, ‘the Baby-Faced Assassin’ Karim Gawad faced each other. Members hit with the legends in entertaining clinics, experiencing the unreal court craft, dishing out a few taxis and cases of old disco knees! Following this, MAC was treated to a masterclass of swift movement and unreal racquet skills with Karim coming out victorius, 3/1. Thanks to all the patrons and Members for supporting this night to remember.

This would not be possible without the Members. I look forward to more exciting events to come as we get back to our feet.

See you at the courts, Alex

DOUBLES HANDICAP Winter Classic

A new Club classic in the making stirred the pot. The Double Winter Classic was open to all levels, handicapped, randomly paired teams drawn out of the hat. The tournament had twists and turns from start to finish. Michelle Beattie and Marco Bertarelli started down 5.0 points each game before running away with the crown jewels and cleaning up at the business end of the game, defeating Drennan Bailey and Matt Jessee 3 - 1. 15/12, 7/15, 15/12, 15/13. The Mike Donio Memorial Softball Tournament culminated in great games and a lovely tribute to Mike—family and friends coming throughout the day to witness the action and share memories of Mike.

The tough pairing, Nick Bahn and Brian Lyss, ousted firepower of Chase Beattie and Tim Engelmeyer 3/1 in the final.

The St. Louis squash community raised $1,050 for STL Squash Racquets Association youth squash and $3,150 to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Research. Thanks to all who kindly supported and donated to make this a special tournament.

After the final, they presented a plaque in Mike’s honor; ‘The Mike Donio Award,’ to to the 2019/2020 season’s most improved junior squash player, Margaret Pruett.

Pruett had an incredible season reaching 105 in the Girls national U17 ranking. She can be seen at the courts training throughout the week. Her dedication to the game shows when she turns up early to prepare and stays after training to further her practice. She goes the extra mile on and off court working with a trainer, improving both her school exam scores and traveling around the country challenging the best in her age group. She started the season consistently in the top 10 of her bracket and reaching two Silver level finals. Her fruits for the labor enabled her to qualify for the next tier up ‘Gold’ events; playing girls just outside the top 25 in the country.

Pruett took out higher-ranked opponents, and passed a few old rivals, finishing three Gold events placing in 13th, and two PBs placing in 11th respectively. In addition to playing squash, Mike Donio introduced Pruett to lacrosse. Congratulations Meg on a fantastic season, keep up the hard work!

TOP: ALEX INGHAM AND MARGARET PRUETT; BOTTOM: MIKE DONIO (FAR LEFT) WITH HIS SQUASH COMRADES

FALL 2020 ADULT TENNIS

CLINICS Beginner/Intermediate Clinic Include instruction and demonstration of the proper grips, strokes and positioning. Will review drilling and games with pointsituations and tennis rules and etiquette. F $126 F Monday, 10-11 a.m. F Sept. 14-oct. 26 Intermediate Clinic For men and women players interested in improving their singles and doubles match play at the 3.0 or 3.5 USTA level. Instruction on stroke techniques, singles and doubles strategies as well as doubles play. F $154 F Tuesday, 7:30-9 p.m. F Sept. 15-Oct. 27 MEN’S SINGLES LEAGUE & LADDER PLAY Singles play for men wanting a game and for those participating on the Tennis Ladder. F $20 per person, per match F Wednesday, 7:30, 8 and 8:30 p.m. start times CARDIO TENNIS These pro-led cardio tennis classes emphasize aerobic drills that will improve tennis skills and provide a good workout! F $18 per session F Begins Monday, Sept. 10 F Monday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. F Wednesday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. F Friday, 10-11 a.m. LADIES’ INTERCLUB MATCH PLAY Join our women’s interclub team to play doubles against other St. Louis area teams. Matches are on Friday mornings. Teams are set up on three levels. Contact: Scott Stutz, 314-539-4411 LADIES’ INTERCLUB PRACTICES F $196 (All 7 weeks) F $128 (Any 4 weeks) F Women’s 4.0: Wednesday, 9:30-11 a.m. F Women’s 3.5: Tuesday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. F Women’s 3.0: Thursday, 9:30-11 a.m. F Women’s 2.5: Wednesday, 9:30-11 a.m. MEN’S 55+ TENNIS Players from this group then team up on Thursdays to compete in interclub matches against other teams in the St. Louis area. Contact: Patrick McNally, 314-539-4464 F $18 per time F Monday, 2:30-4 p.m. F Sept. 11-Dec. 14 INTERCLUB MATCH PLAY The Afternoon Workout gets players ready for the Gateway Interclub matches held on Thursday afternoons for men 55+. The MAC fields three doubles teams and matches are friendly and competitive. Matches are played both home and away. Contact: Patrick McNally, 314-539-4464 ADULT TENNIS LADDER MAC Members meet and play matches with players of similar skill levels. Contact: Scott Stutz, 314-539-4411 INTERCLUB MATCH PLAY Life is busy and committing to a weekly tennis game is not easy. To accommodate Members’ schedules, tennis pro, Scott Stutz,

Junior Tennis Fall Session One Sept. 8-Nov. 11

works to pair players of all skill levels for singles and doubles matches. Contact: Scott Stutz, 314-539-4411 USTA ADULT LEAGUES The MAC hosts men’s and women’s USTA teams that compete each week between September and April. The home teams are W3.0, W3.5, W4.0, M3.5, M4.0 and M4.5. Contact: Kim Steinmetz, 314-539-4413 PRIVATE LESSONS One person: $70/hr. Semi-private lessons: $70/hr. plus $4/hr. each additional person

RED BALL 1 (AGES 6-8) AND RED BALL 2 (AGES 4-6) F $160 F Monday, 4-5 p.m. F Friday, 4-5 p.m. F Saturday, 9-10 a.m. F Sunday, 9-10 a.m. ORANGE BALL 1 AND 2 (AGES 8-11)* F $160 (Monday-Friday) F $240 (Saturday) F Monday, 4-5 p.m. F Wednesday, 4-5 p.m. F Friday, 4-5 p.m. F Saturday, 10-11:30 a.m. F Pro approval required GREEN BALL (AGES 8-11)* F $240 F Tuesday, 4:30-6 p.m. F Thursday, 4:30-6 p.m. F Must have completed orangeball UTSA. Pro approval required. HIGH PERFORMANCE (AGES 10-14)* F $320 F Monday, 5-7 p.m. F Wednesday, 5-7 p.m. F (UTR 1-2 Beginning

Tournament Player) F Pro approval required. PEAK PERFORMANCE (AGES 11-18)* F $320 F Monday, 5-7 p.m. F Thursday, 5-7 p.m. F UTR 3 or higher. Pro approval required. ELITE F $30 F Wednesday, 7-8:30 p.m. F Friday, 5-6:30 p.m. F Pro approval required. Half price if you participate in one day of

Peak Performance. INTERMEDIATE (AGES 11-14) F $160 F Tuesday, 6-7 p.m. F Friday, 5-6 p.m. F Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. F Sunday, 10-11 a.m. VARSITY PREP (AGES 11-18)* F $240 F Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m. F Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m. *Match play included if in class during the week. MATCH PLAY SCHEDULE F Saturdays F Peak Performance – 1:30-3 p.m. F High Performance/Varsity – 3-4:30 p.m. F Orange Ball/Green Ball/Intermediate – 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Pickleball Sept. 12-Oct. 29

BEGINNERS CLINIC Pickleball is fun and easy to learn! Come on your own or get a group together and come learn this popular social sport! Technique, basic strategies and scoring will be covered and practiced. F Tuesday, 9:30-11 a.m. F Sept. 15-Oct. 27 F $154

ADVANCED LEAGUE Organized play for advanced pickleball players. Pickleball pro will be on hand to fill in as needed. F Thursday, 1-2:30 p.m. F Sept. 17-Oct. 29 F $75 (all 7 weeks) F $15 (per time) IMPROVERS LEAGUE WITH INSTRUCTION This pro-led league is for players who have played pickleball and/or other racquet sports. Participants will play pickleball games and be given instruction on strategies and stroke technique. F Wednesday, 9:30-11 a.m. F Sept. 16-Oct. 28 F $154

PICKLEBALL BASH F Saturdays, 6-8 p.m. (twice a month) F Sept. 12 and 26 F Oct. 10 and 24 F $15 (members) F $20 (guests

Register online from Athletics > Tennis > Junior Programs > Spring Session Four

MAC Welcomes Basketball Pro NICOLE BUSHONG

Nicole Bushong joined the MAC in July 2020 as a basketball pro and trainer.

Prior to joining the MAC team, she coached Women’s Basketball at Principia College, holding the position of Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach from 2009-2011 and head coach from 2011-2016. She also was Technical Skills Coach for the Principia Men’s Basketball Program from 2018-2019.

In addition, she was the Youth Coach at Mavericks Basketball Club from 2017-2018 and the Individual Skills Coach at CoachUp.

To schedule a personal training session, contact Joy Holdmeier at 314-539-4468 or jholdmeier@mac-stl.org.

Treat Yourself

The MAC is offering a new client personal training special. Receive one free personal training session with the purchase of your initial personal training session. Valid for first-time Personal training clients at the MAC; members only. For more information contact Paul Helfrich (West) at 314-539-4453 or Courtney Hutt (DT) at 314-539-4495.

Need to unwind? The MAC’s massage services are open to help you relax after this year’s stresses. Schedule an appointment by contacting the Downtown Fitness Desk at 314-539-4482 or the West Fitness Desk at 314-539-4433. The MAC also offers a New Client Special for massage. Members can get a one-hour massage at the half-hour rate. This offer is only valid for MAC members who are first-time massage clients at the Club.

1055 CASSENS INDUSTRIAL CT. FENTON, MISSOURI 63026 P: 636.680.2100 10501 SOUTH HARDWICK LANE COLUMBIA, MISSOURI 65201 P: 573.442.6100 www.intfs.com