Three Middle States teams traveled across the country to compete for a national championship last weekend, and came back with hardware to prove it.

Two Pennsylvania teams and one New Jersey team wrapped up the weekend as finalists at two sites during USTA League National Championships.

The 55 and Over 9.0 men’s team from Manasquan, N.J. Players include: George Loesch, James Cappiello (Captain), Peter Eno, Stephen Van Voorhis, James Axt, Robert Abbot

The teams included: 55 and Over 9.0 Men (Manasquan, N.J.), 55 and Over 9.0 Women (Newtown Square, Pa.) and 40 and Over 4.0 Men (Washington Crossing, Pa.). The teams advanced to nationals after winning at the district and section levels. The teams competed against top teams from the other 16 USTA sections.

Established in 1980, USTA League has grown from 13,000 participants in a few parts of the country in its first year, to more than 850,000 players across the nation today, making it the world’s largest recreational tennis program.

The USTA League was established to provide adult recreational tennis players throughout the country with the opportunity to compete against players of similar ability levels. Players participate on teams in a league format, which is administered by the USTA through its 17 Sections. The league groups players by using six National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) levels, ranging from 2.5 (entry) to 10.0 (advanced). USTA League is open to any USTA member 18 years of age or older.
About USTA Middle States

The 40 and Over Men’s 4.0 team from Washington Crossing, Pa. Players include Joseph Hargrove, Gorm Clifford Yoder, Marc Bertino, Todd Dlugosz, Terry Schneider, Richard Smith, Rick Rogers, Chenggang Wang, Alex Lawrason, Jeoffrey Purnell and Pete Macios.

55 and Over 9.0 Women’s team from Newtown Square, Pa. Players include Doranne Bigelow, Gail Marie Ferrigno, Karen Nyirjesy, Alison Harrison (Captain), Keiko Sato, Beckie Beazley and Joyce Szayna.

The USTA is organized geographically into 17 sections. The USTA Middle States section encompasses Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey (exclusive of a 35-mile radius around New York City) and northwestern West Virginia.

A volunteer-based, not-for-profit organization, USTA Middle States is dedicated to carrying out the goals of the national association within its region, particularly with respect to promoting tennis opportunities for juniors and adults of all abilities and cultural backgrounds..

For more information about USTA League or the USTA visit http://www.usta.com.