Wakefield High Serves Up Pickleball Passion: The pickleball phenomenon is gaining traction at Wakefield High School, where students are eagerly embracing the sport.
With a membership that currently stands at 18 and continues to expand, pickleball has emerged as the latest club sensation at the Arlington school. The initiative is led by senior and varsity tennis player Keyla Park Hernández, alongside her father, Paul Joseph Park, who takes on the role of coach. The club convenes on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, fostering a community of aspiring players.
Experienced Guidance
Teacher sponsors Jackie Cubero and Ashley Rickman, both avid pickleball enthusiasts, support the club. Cubero brings 15 years of competitive experience to the table, having participated in numerous national tournaments. The connection runs deep: Keyla Park met Rickman’s parents through local pickleball games, discovering their daughters’ ties to Wakefield—one as a student and the other as a physical education teacher.
Matches and Tournaments
The Wakefield pickleball club engages in friendly matches, often utilizing the school’s tennis courts, which have makeshift lines and dimensions for the sport. Recently, they hosted a tournament where some players competed in three matches, showcasing their growing skills and enthusiasm for the game.
Community Support
In a show of community spirit, players have received donations of pickleball paddles from a local manufacturer. Additionally, they’ve been offered lessons at Down the Line Sports Center in Fairfax County, further enhancing their development.
Looking Ahead
A key goal for the club is to secure on-campus facilities equipped with official pickleball lines and nets. They aim to acquire roll-on nets and seek full club status at Wakefield. Their vision includes updating some or all of the seven existing tennis courts to accommodate pickleball.
“We are just getting organized to show and prove there is a demand for pickleball at Wakefield,” Paul Joseph Park commented. “I think we are on the right track.”
Interest in forming similar pickleball organizations at Arlington’s Washington-Liberty and Yorktown high schools has been noted, although those efforts have yet to reach the momentum seen at Wakefield.
Notable Players
Among the enthusiastic members of the Wakefield club are Adrian Judson, Alec Fleisher, Alex Oketch, Allison Kopcznski, Amariss Claudio, Bryant Gultom, Gabby Speller, German Hernandez, Jack Oliver, Matan Ferguson, Sebastian Fletcher, Zidan Ahmed, Kevin Arispe, Neila Lindsay, Jackson Tush, and Samuel Rodriguez.
News in Brief: Wakefield High Serves Up Pickleball Passion
Wakefield High School has welcomed a burgeoning pickleball club, led by senior Keyla Park Hernández and her father, coach Paul Joseph Park. With 18 members, the club meets twice weekly and has recently hosted a tournament. The team, sponsored by staff members Jackie Cubero and Ashley Rickman, aims to establish on-campus facilities with official lines and nets. Support has poured in from local manufacturers and sports centers, enhancing players’ skills and equipment access.
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