The USTA Super National Hardcourts tournaments unfolded earlier this month, with a record 20 ATA Academy players earning a spot in the event – a quarter of the entire Academy group.

The biggest junior USTA tournament of the year, the winners in both Boy’s and Girl’s 18 singles and doubles earns a wildcard into the US OPEN Grand Slam in New York City.

“This summer’s nationals has an excellent showing for ATA players,” ATA CEO Jack Newman said. “This was the single highest number of Academy players participating in a super national event since the program’s inception.”

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B16&18 took place in Kalamazoo, MI

Leading the way was Erik Kerrigan and Payton Holden, graduates of ATA College Prep for the Boy’s 18. They both ended their junior career with a great last tournament, before heading to University of Chicago and Princeton to start their college careers.

Erik made it the farthest in the tournament of all Texas players, reaching the round of 32 before losing to the #5. Erik then won his 4th rd consolation match.

Payton Holden made it to the round of 64 by taking out the #31 seed 6-0, 6-1 and earning the tournament’s player of the day award. He then made it to the the 4th rd in the consolation.

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“Both Erik and Payton finished their junior tennis careers with great playing,” Newman said. “Both hit out on the ball, played their distinctive brand of tennis and competed with poise and vigor.”

Wilson Hamilton, Granville Kaynor and Alejandro Rodriquez all competed in B18 singles and doubles.

Roger Chou was the only ATA player in the B16 singles and he went 2-2.

Harrison Chiu made it the furthest in B16 doubles. Harrison and his partner Harvey Maughan made it to the rd of 16.

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“Harrison Chiu created a legendary life story,” Newman said. “32nd alternate, showed up early for sign in hopes of snagging a doubles spot.  A boy walks up to the doubles sign in desk and says “my partner broke his toe I need a new one” and Harrison steps up and says “I can play” the boy agrees. And they make it to the round of 16. Legendary.”

B14 took place in San Antonio, TX

Max Schmidhauser competed in B14 singles and doubles. He went 3-2 in singles play.

B12 took place in Little Rock, AR

James Cockrell and Jake Riezebeek competed in B12 singles and doubles. James went 2-2 in singles and Jake went 1-3 in singles.

G16&18 took place in San Diego, CA

Abigail Chiu led the way for G18 in singles and doubles. Abigail made it to the round of 16 in doubles and went 3-2 in singles play. Abigail, a senior this year at ATA College Prep, will attend Dartmouth in 2017. Alex Mjos also played in the G18 singles and doubles where she made it to the round of 64. She will head to University of Southern Florida next fall.

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Callie Creath made it the farthest in Girl’s 16s singles going 3-2. Kristin Kerrigan went 2-2 in singles and Georgia Wright went 0-2 in singles.

G14 took place in Peachtree City, GA

Caroline Wernli went 2-2 in singles and 1-1 in doubles play.

G12 took place in Alpharetta, GA

Sasha Malysheva went 1-3 in singles play.

While this was arguably the best ever year for ATA Academy players ever at Hardcourt Nationals, Coach Newman has but one focus in mind: improving.

“In the next few years, we hope to build on both the number of national competitors we send and the distance they go in their events.”