Michael Atkinson and Todd Tripucka Super at Sound Shore 125+

January 13, 2020
Scarsdale, NY

By Jo Rogers

We had twenty teams participate. The morning started off with four groups of five teams each playing a round robin (8-game pro set with tiebreaker at 7-all). Based on the results, the best two teams from each group went into a regular eight-team draw for the championship and the remaining 12 teams played in a “Best of the Rest” event.

The round robin was very competitive in all four groups and produced eight strong teams competing for the championship. The event was won by Todd Tripucka and Michael Atkinson over Doug Barrow and Todd Leone in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, after a tough two setter, 6-1, 6-3, against Scott Estes and Peter Gruenberg in the semis. Barrow/Leone emerged victorious in the semis against Rick Smith and Michael Chen, 6-4, 2-6, 10-8, but the win took a toll on them, with some muscle cramps in the final.

In the “Best of the Rest,” Bruce Humphreys and Rick Sahlman emerged triumphant over Brad Reifler and Peter van Eyck after a long day of play.

This event is not just all about serious paddle—there is much camaraderie. Rick Reuter (FMTC member and a participant) has been a long-time helper with this event as well as Bella Dalton. Rick decided to grow a beard back in November and by the time the 125s rolled around things were looking very disheveled. Bella took it upon herself to correct the situation during a break in Rick’s match schedule. Rick’s grandkids will be very happy with grandpa looking more “normal”!

L to R: Winners Todd Tripucka/Michael Atkinson; Doug Barrow/Todd Leone

Best of the Rest: L-R Rick Sahlman, Bruce Humphreys (winners); Brad Reifler, Peter van Eyck (finalists)