West Virginia’s Biggest Pickleball Tournament: This weekend, the largest pickleball tournament in West Virginia is set to be hosted by Metro 911 of Kanawha County drawing over 200 athletes to the Nitro Athletic Complex. The event kicks off on Saturday at 8 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m., beginning with amateur players competing across various brackets in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles matches. 13 News interviewed Stacie Archer, an amateur pickleball enthusiast, regarding her tournament aspirations.
Stacie Archer, an enthusiastic amateur participant, expressed her tournament goals, emphasizing that the main focus is to enjoy and winning would be a add on.
“First and foremost, I want to have fun. If I bring home a little hardware, that’s just icing on the cake,” -(Stacie Archer)
John Rutherford, Executive Director of Metro 911 Kanawha County, outlined the bracketing process, emphasizing that the category of players considered by age, with a fair competition mindset.
“What we do is we rate people by their age, so you play against people in your age group. Once we get your age group, we also rate you by your skill level. 3.0 is beginner, 5.0 is an expert,” ( John Rutherford )
Sunday’s lineup will feature professional players, starting at 8 a.m. and concluding at 4 p.m. The ultimate victor of the tournament will walk away with a $15,000 cash prize.
Among the notable contenders is Susannah Barr, renowned as the top-ranked female player by the Association of Pickleball Players. Barr, who led clinics for intermediate skill levels over the weekend, continues to elevate the sport’s competitive edge in Nitro. Her upcoming sessions on Monday promise to further hone the skills of intermediate and advanced players alike, from 8 a.m. to noon.
| Event Description | Details |
| Tournament Host | Metro 911 of Kanawha County |
| Tournament Location | Nitro Athletic Complex, West Virginia |
| Dates | Saturday and Sunday |
| Start Time | Saturday: 8 a.m. |
| End Time | Saturday: 4 p.m. |
| Participants | Over 200 athletes |
| Events | Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles |
| Featured Player | Susannah Barr, top-ranked female player by Association of Pickleball Players |
| Prize | $15,000 cash prize for the tournament winner |
News in Brief: West Virginia’s Biggest Pickleball Tournament
This weekend, Metro 911 of Kanawha County is hosting West Virginia’s largest pickleball tournament at the Nitro Athletic Complex, expecting over 200 athletes. The event spans Saturday and Sunday, featuring amateur matches in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Stacie Archer, an enthusiast interviewed by 13 News, aims primarily to enjoy the tournament, viewing any wins as a bonus. John Rutherford, Metro 911’s Executive Director, explained the detailed bracketing process based on age and skill level. Sunday will showcase professional players, including Barr, the top-ranked female player, competing for a $15,000 cash prize. Barr also conducts skill clinics to enhance player abilities.
