Red Raider Pickleball Tournament Winners: Senior sociology major Jorge Ocanas and sophomore mechanical engineering major Luke Stovall claimed victory in the Red Raider Basketball Intramural Pickleball Tournament on Sunday at the Texas Tech pickleball courts. Their win earned them exclusive seating in the student section for the upcoming men’s basketball season.
Tournament Victory
The tournament featured 100 teams of two, competing from noon to 10 p.m. Ocanas and Stovall, playing as team “6,7,” defeated the “Aura Farmers” in the championship. They won in straight sets with scores of 11-9 and 11-5, securing their reward of front-row seating at United Supermarkets Arena.
Journey to the Title
Ocanas and Stovall were the first to register for the tournament. “I had a friend who works in intramurals, works at the Rec or whatever, and they told me that something was in the works and we should sign up for it,” Ocanas said.
Although they did not practice specifically for the event, Stovall explained their late-night routine. “Last semester we would drill at 4 a.m. to, like, 6 a.m. and right before class even,” Stovall said. Their chemistry was built over years of friendship. “Freshman year, we met each other when I was coming in for orientation, and we’ve been playing and drilling together ever since,” Stovall added.
Experience and Community Impact
Ocanas, who works with Student Engagement and is part of Phi Alpha Delta, has played at a higher level. He competed in the DUPR Collegiate Nationals for club pickleball in Dallas last year. Reflecting on Sunday’s event, he said, “It’s great to be able to play a tournament in our community and hopefully grow more of the pickleball club.”
Texas Tech head men’s basketball coach Grant McCasland and Recreation Sports Programs manager Jordon German announced the tournament on September 7. McCasland promised signed basketballs for the final four teams along with the exclusive seating prize. Stovall recalled meeting him: “It’s a blur. We were so excited. We didn’t talk much. He said good job, and it’s impressive that we made it to the final four. He (McCasland) plays pickleball and said he has two courts, so he knows what we’re talking about.”
Looking Ahead
Both Ocanas and Stovall confirmed their seating choice for the season. “Front and center,” they said together. Their victory not only brought them prime seats but also highlighted the growing role of pickleball in student life at Texas Tech.
News in Brief: Red Raider Pickleball Tournament Winners
Jorge Ocanas and Luke Stovall won the Red Raider Basketball Intramural Pickleball Tournament at Texas Tech, defeating the “Aura Farmers” in the final. Their prize includes front-row seating in the student section for the men’s basketball season. The event also aimed to grow pickleball’s presence on campus.