Winning State Championships with A Smaller Paddle!

Four of our Treasure Valley pickleball players recently traded their pickleball paddles for slightly smaller versions to compete in Table Tennis, which was one of the Idaho Senior Games opening events during the month of August.

Players came from across the state, and as far away as California for the competition, which was held at the Idaho Athletic Club in Eagle, Idaho. They traveled those long distances, because, similar to pickleball and other events, medalists in this year’s Idaho Senior Games qualify for the 2017 National Senior Olympic Games to be held next year in Birmingham, Alabama. Our “Picklers” report they had a great time, met some very nice people, and again really appreciated the outstanding organization and wonderful purpose and philosophy of the Senior Games.  They also took the opportunity to tell other Table Tennis competitors there about the great enjoyment and benefits of playing pickleball, and invited them to come try it out.

Our four State Table Tennis Champs & Nationals Qualifiers are

Diana Bunger:

Gold:  70 Womens Sigles

Gold:  70 Women’s Doubles

Gold:  70 Mixed Doubles

Dick Johnson:

Gold:  75 Mens Singles

Gold:  75 Mens Doubles

Silver: 70 Mixed Doubles

Bill Light:

Gold: 70 Mens Singles

Gold  70 Mixed Doubles

Lawana Johnson:

Gold:  70 Women’s Doubles

Silver: 70 Women’s Singles

Silver: 70 Mixed Doubles

Note:  This is Bill and Diana’s second year winning Gold in Table Tennis and Dick & Lawana’s third year.  Dick has also won Gold in Tennis and Pickleball the past three years.