Over the past few months Poolesville Pickleball Players have been focused on getting ready for the Maryland Senior Olympics Pickleball Tournament. This dedication has paid off with 32 Poolesville area players participating in the games May 16-18. During the tournament Poolesville area players won 34 medals, and Poolesville had the largest number of participants (and fans) participating in the tournament.
The Poolesville Seniors Pickleball had players entered in all play categories–singles, men's doubles, mixed doubles, and women's doubles. Amazingly, we had players entered into 55 events, in age categories from 50 to 84!
The Poolesville team had an outstanding record with 7 Gold, 11 Silver, 15 Bronze medals and 3 Forth place Ribbons.
SINGLES:
GOLD George Coakley, Division II (age 80-84)
SILVER John Cotton, Division II, (age 80-84)
BRONZE Ed Spitzmiller, Division II, (age 50-54)
4th Jeff McIntyre, Division II, (age 60-64)
GOLD Norman Spencer, Division III (age 80-84)
GOLD Patty Civetti, Division III, (age 65-69)
SILVER Lee Bristol, Division III, (age 75-79)
SILVER Melissia Rose, Division III, (age 70-74)
BRONZE Steve Malinowski, Division III, (age 75-79)
BRONZE Joel Gilbert, Division III, (age 50-54)
BRONZE Amy Seely, Division III, (age 60-64)
BRONZE Susana Zapata, Division III, (age 50-54)
4th Brian McNally, Division III, (age 50-54)
DOUBLES:
GOLD John Dansby/Norman Spencer, Division II, (age 80-84)
GOLD Roger Brenholtz/ Lee Bristol, Division III, (age 70-74
SILVER Courtney Ives/ Maureen Dolan, Division III, (age 65-69)
SILVER Ron Dietz/Ron Hanson, Division III, (age 65-69)
BRONZE Terry Clark/Willie Little, Division III, (age 80-84)
BRONZE Steve Malinowski/Harold Hannett Division III, (age 75-79)
BRONZE Melissa Rose/ Marion Bona, Division III, (age 70-74)
BRONZE Joel Gilbert/Troy Jones, Division III (age 50-54)
4th George Coakley/John Cotton, Division II, (age 80-84)
MIXED DOUBLES:
SILVER Ron/Laura Dietz, Division III, (age 65-69)
SILVER Tom Chang/Deb Ahern, Division III, (age 60-64)
BRONZE Brian Peper/Gwen Haney, Division II, (age 70-74)
The Poolesville pickleball team and supporters were the largest group at the games, which were held at the Finksburg and Columbia Dill Dinkers facilities. Many of the players and supporters wore the blue pickleball Poolesville team shirts and sweaters, that you see players wearing around town. There were numerous comments regarding how well Poolesville fans supported our players.
With over one hundred members, our Poolesville Pickleball Group has grown into one of the largest and most successful sporting and social organizations in the area. The Town of Poolesville commissioners, County Park Service and the Baptist Church are all helping support the increased play. The resurfacing of Stevens Park has provided 8 courts dedicated to pickleball. Halmos Park now has two pickleball courts and roll away nets so that both Pickleball and tennis play can be accommodated. The lighting at Halmos Park and new restroom facilities are a great addition. Poolesville Seniors repaired gym walls to help the Baptist Church complete the renovation which now has a refinished gym floor and new paint on the walls.
We are looking forward to our Poolesville Seniors Pickleball players participation in the upcoming 2025 National Pickleball Senior Olympics games in July 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa. Poolesville will be represented by George Coakley, John Cotton, John Dansby, Jerry Greaney, Gwen Haney, Maggie & Dave Newcomer, Brian Peper and Norm Spencer. The Poolesville area players qualified for these National Games with their wins in the 2024 MD Senior Olympics.
The Poolesville pickleball players welcome community members to join the fun. Just register at PoolesvilleSeniors.org. We hope to see you at the courts!