More medals for Peterborough Pickleball athlete Cole Lester and his mixed doubles partner Kim Shpeer from Waterloo, Ontario, at the Toronto Open Pickleball Tournament held in North York, Ontario, last weekend. Over 363 athletes including some top pro players from Canada, USA and abroad competed in the event.
In Round 1 of the Round Robin Mixed Doubles Skill 4.5 Age 19 and Above format, Lester and his partner Schpeer had a shaky start losing 11- 8 to Susan Pound (Mississauga) and Giles Diaz (Port Perry). Lester and Schpeer rallied in Round 2 and defeating Bruna Chaves (Mississauga) and Julian Del Gobbo (Aurora) winning 11-7 and in Round 3 defeating Ali Underhill (Nobel, ON) and Kyle McFadyen (Huntsville) 11-4. In a tough close Round 4 game Lester and Schpeer lost 12-10 to Lindsay Auld (Dartmouth) and Mark Nirenshtein (Oakville).
Based on number of games won and point differentiation, Lester and Schpeer moved into the semifinals defeating Bruna Chaves and Julian Del Gobbo 15-1.
In the Gold medal match Susan Pound and Giles Diaz defeated Lester and Schpeer 11-6 and 11-6 in a best of three game match.
Lester, and his Men’s Doubles Skill 4.5 Age 19 and Above partner Michael Mione from Stouffville, Ontario, who are both students at Trent University placed 4th in the Men’s Doubles 4.5 Skill Age 19 and Above division.
Gold and Silver winners received gold rings for their efforts.
“Once again our young local Pickleball athletes are bringing recognition to our city and to Trent University,” says Shelley Moloney, President, PPA. “Having two young high
level pickleball athletes who are playing pickleball and attending Trent University is an inspiration to other young pickleball players in our community.”
(Media Release)