Compton/Kahler and Heil/Tunaru Crowned in Cleveland

November 9-11, 2018
Cleveland, OH
By Brent Luce

In typical Cleveland fashion, we battled a few weather-related concerns, but as always, the paddle gods prevailed and the 44th annual Cleveland Masters was as much fun and as successful as ever. Players from 15 metropolitan areas participated in the event, representing Columbus, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, New Jersey, Rochester, Winston-Salem, Detroit, St. Louis, Toronto, Cincinnati, Toledo, Louisville and of course, Cleveland. The men’s draw welcomed seven players from the nation’s top 20 teams and the 32-team women’s draw attracted 12 players from the top 50 teams nationwide.  The Women’s NRT was the highest rated in our history and the 24-team Women’s 90+ was a huge hit.  

In Friday’s action, local favorites John Schloss and Todd Wotjkowski won the Men’s 90+ tournament, overcoming Rochester’s Cary Greenberg and Mike Roselli, 6-4, 6-2. Over at the Chagrin Valley Country Club, the Women’s 90+ bracket went to Dionne Pike and Hillarie Parrinello as they defeated Annaliese Adkinson and Wendy Mikola.  Friday’s matches were followed by free clinics and exhibition matches featuring Alex Bancila, Denny English, Peter Berka, Randy Lofgren, Nathan Crick and Ryan Mullaney. 

On Saturday, in women’s play, Mandy Newell/Amanda Seibert won the Consolation Reprieve; Karla Kruse/Lucy Taft were victorious in the Consolation; Kristin Davin/Nancy Gaspadarek persevered to win the Reprieve; and Kelly Fischer/Mary Wilson pulled out a scintillating three-set victory to capture the Quarter Reprieve title. Congratulations to Amy Heil and Alice Tunaru who overcame the very tough unseeded team of Dori Easdale and Jill Gilbert under the lights and in front of a sizeable (and rambunctious) crowd to win the Main Draw. This was the first NRT championship for both Amy and Alice.  As usual, we had over 100 spectators in the afternoon and evening at the Cleveland Racquet Club enjoying food, beverages, and great paddle. 

On the men’s side, Jeremiah Bourke / Kirk Haggarty won the Consolation Reprieve;  Sky Kalkman and Jeff Kotalik took the Consolation; Dave Lowe/Ryan Mullaney were victorious in the Reprieve; and Nathan Crick / Randy Lofgren reigned in the Quarter Reprieve. In the Main Draw finals on Sunday, Brian Compton/Scott Kahler, the top seeds, were able to fend off the second-seeded team of Alex Bancila/Steve DeRose in a very exciting two set match.  

CLEPDL thanks everyone who participated in the 44th annual Cleveland Masters and we look forward to seeing you next year! Follow “Cleveland paddle” on Facebook and “clevelandpaddle” on Instagram to see more photos and details.

Women’s Results:
Main Draw: Amy Heil/Alice Tunaru def. Dori Easdale/Jill Gilbert, 6-3, 6-4
Quarterfinal Reprieve: Kelly Fischer/Mary Wilson def. Sandra Odenbach/Dionne Pike, 2-6, 6-2, (10-7)
Reprieve: Kristen Davin/Nancy Gaspadarek def. Anneliese Adkinson/Wendy Mikola, 6-1, 6-0
Consolation: Karla Kruse/Lucy Taft def. Rita Kladstrup/Hillarie Parrinello, 1-6, 6-2, (10-6)
Consolation Reprieve: Mandy Newell/Amanda Siebert def. Linda McBride/Tara Meadors, 6-3, 6-3

Men’s Results:
Main Draw: Brian Compton/Scott Kahler def. Alex Bancila/Steve DeRose, 6-2, 7-6
Quarterfinal Reprieve: Nathan Crick/Randy Lofgren def. Ajay Khurana/Mike Wagner, 6-4, 6-3
Reprieve: Rashid Hassan/Matthew Riva def. David Lowe/Ryan Mullaney, 4-6, 6-3, (10-7)
Consolation: Sky Kalkman/Jeff Kotalik def. Bill Randorf/David Stover
Consolation Reprieve: Jeremiah Bourke/Kirk Haggerty def. Matthew McEwen/John Oswald, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5

Women’s 90+ Results:
Main Draw: Hillarie Parrinello/Dionne Pike def. Anneliese Adkinson/Wendy Mikola

Men’s 90+ Results:
Main Draw: John Schloss/Todd Wojkowski def. Cary Greenberg/Mike Roselli, 6-4, 6-2