Ohio Senior Olympics Pickleball Qualifier: Canton is the epicenter of senior pickleball action this week, as the Ohio Senior Olympics Pickleball Qualifier unfolds over four days of intense competition. Athletes from across Ohio have converged on the city for a chance to advance to the National Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, set for 2025.
Excitement Builds for the Week Ahead
The tournament kicked off Monday, and anticipation is high for tonight’s “extravaganza,” featuring a lively parade of athletes, food trucks, vendors, and live music. Meredith Smith, the general chairperson for Ohio Senior Olympics Pickleball, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the event in Canton for the first time.
“It’s the first time we’ve had the opportunity to host in Canton, Ohio, so we’re really excited about that. We have almost 500 participants coming to Canton. It’s the only qualifier in Ohio, so if you want to qualify in the state, you’re coming here.” – (Smith)
Celebration of Senior Athleticism
Tonight’s festivities include the induction of Leurene Hildenbrand, a 93-year-old multi-sport athlete with over 1,000 medals, into the Ohio Senior Olympics Hall of Fame. The celebration continues Tuesday with an “OSOP Celebration of Champions” at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The event will feature speeches from Laura Boske of the Houston Hammers and Beth Olivier of the Columbus Hotshots.
“Every day, play will start at 8 a.m. We have plenty of seats for spectators, so if anybody is interested in coming to watch, we’d love to have them.” – (Smith)
Tournament Details and Schedule
- The extravaganza kicks off at 6 p.m. tonight and runs until 10 p.m. The event is free and includes live music from Karri Fedor & Kerosene.
- The celebration will be from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This event is exclusive to tournament participants, volunteers, sponsors, and their guests.
- The tournament includes men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
- Most games will take place at Stadium Park, 2490 Fulton Road NW, Canton. Men’s singles today and women’s singles on Thursday will be held at Boettler Park, 5300 Massillon Road, Green.
News in Brief: Ohio Senior Olympics Pickleball Qualifier
Canton is hosting the Ohio Senior Olympics Pickleball Qualifier this week, featuring four days of competition where athletes compete for a chance to compete at the 2025 Nationals in Des Moines. The tournament began Monday and includes an “extravaganza” tonight with a parade, food trucks, and live music.
The event also celebrates 93-year-old Leurene Hildenbrand’s Hall of Fame induction and features a “Celebration of Champions” Tuesday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Games run daily from 8 a.m. through Thursday, held at Stadium Park and Boettler Park.
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