Could the North Repeat its Mason-Dixon Victory?

SCOTT FALATEK
NOVEMBER 2, 2010
BALTIMORE, MD

This Region III, annual intra-regional event created by Mark Holtschneider, pits the top 5 teams from the South (Maryland, DC and N Virginia) against the top 5 teams of the North (Delaware, Philly and Lehigh) as determined by the prior years President’s Cup Qualifying (PCQ) points ranking. The goal is to reinforce playing in Region III PCQ events and to start the new paddle season by bringing 20 Region III competitors/friends together.

So, true to form, Region III once again kicked off its season with the 8th Annual Mason-Dixon Cup on Saturday, October 30th. Both the North, led by Captain Scott Falatek, and the South, led by Captain Mark Holtschneider, met at L’Hirondelle Country Club in Baltimore for a great day of competition and camaraderie. The North, after last years’ victory, held a 4-3 edge overall, but with the emergence of some new highly talented players, the South and Captain Mark were confident in their ability to even up the score.

It was clear after the first two rounds that the South and their youth would not be intimidated as both teams of new comers Trevor Spracklin / Tommy Croker and Alex Hume / Juan Jaysingh went undefeated during the morning session. The North team of Scott Falatek and Todd Marvin managed to win a pair of three set matches to remain unbeaten during the morning as well, but the South had gained a 6-4 advantage.

After refueling at lunch, the North took the courts with some much needed intensity and started the afternoon with a 4 match to 1 assault. The big win this round was from the North team of Patrick Nowlan / Steve Beers. To avoid the sweep, the South got a big win from Blake Cordish / Ted Easter, who pulled out a tough 3 setter against the tie-breaker kings of Tom Burt / Bruce Sopko.

The momentum indeed had swung and the day concluded with the North winning three of the remaining five matches to win the Cup. The two Northern teams of Andrew Hocker / Steve Reiniger and Simon Peppiatt / Greg Eger both went 3-1 on the day, including a combined 4-0 in the afternoon to boost the North to the win. Scott Falatek / Todd Marvin proved to be the only team to finish the day undefeated and the 11-9 victory gave the North victory number 5 as the 8th annual Mason-Dixon Cup concluded with a few libations and a photo of the proud winners---sporting their trophies (shirts are only awarded to the winning team) and the Cup, which will be engraved with the names of the winning team’s players.

Thanks to all who participated!

North: Capt. Scott Falatek, Todd Marvin, Andrew Hocker, Steve Reiniger, Simon Peppiatt, Greg Eger, Steve Beers, Patrick Nowlan, Tom Burt, Bruce Sopko

South: Capt. Mark Holtschneider, Fred Gumbinner, Blake Cordish, Ted Easter, Trevor Spracklin, Tommy Croker, Andy Todd, Frank Holtschneider, Alex Hume, Juan Jaysingh.

Scoring: Regular scoring in the first two sets (breaker at 6-6), 10 point super tiebreaker for the third set---winning team gets one point, losing team none.