Eastern Juniors Honored at U.S. Open Awards Gala
November 1, 2009 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Some of the top players in the USTA/Eastern Region were rewarded for their fine performances over the past year with an awards gala on the U.S. Open grounds prior to the start of the first day’s play of the Open.
The top three point winners in each age division at the end of the series of Designated Closed Tournaments were guests of USTA/Eastern on Aug. 31 at the U.S. Open in Flushing, N.Y. Prizes were awarded to the winners. Long Island Tennis Magazine was on hand to cover the event and support the winners, including five from the Long Island area.
Congratulations to the following on their accomplishments and achievements (winners from Long Island are denoted by italics):
Boys 12
1. Robert Levine (Bedford, N.Y.)
2. Michael Chen (Holmdel, N.J.)
3. Paul Hayes (Middletown, N.Y.)
Girls 12
1. Jessica Golovin (New York, N.Y.)
2. Isabella Pascucci (Oyster Bay, N.Y.)
3. Elizabeth Tsvetkov (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Boys 14
1. Vihar Shah (New Hyde Park, N.Y.)
2. Matthew Nardella (Manlius, N.Y.)
3. Ryoma Haraguchi (New York, N.Y.)
Girls 14
1. Quinn Gleason (Mendon, N.Y.)
2. Katrine Steffensen (Scarsdale, N.Y.)
3. Arielle Griffin (Jamaica, N.Y.)
Boys 16
1. Richard Del Nunzio (Forest Hills, N.Y.)
2. Bert Vancura (New Hyde Park, N.Y.)
3. Andrew Adams (Bronx, N.Y.)
3. Winston Lin (Williamsville, N.Y.)
Girls 16
1. Leighann Sahagun (Queens Village, N.Y.)
2. Katherine Yau (Manhasset, N.Y.)
3. Jamie Loeb (Ossining, N.Y.)
Boys 18
1. Joseph Schafer (Orchard Park, N.Y.)
2. Michael Lampa (Ocean, N.J.)
3. Gary Kushnirovich (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Girls 18
1. Stefania Balasa (East Brunswick, N.J.)
2. Julia Elbaba (Oyster Bay, N.Y.)
3. Robin Anderson (Matawan, N.J.)
Vihar Shah and Bert Vancura, both from New Hyde Park, N.Y. took home high honors in their respective divisions. Isabella Pascucci from Oyster Bay, N.Y.; Katherine Yau from Manhasset, N.Y. and Julia Elbaba from Oyster Bay, N.Y. highlighted the field of girls in the Long Island region.
Scenes From the U.S. Open Eastern Juniors Awards Gala
August 31 in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
Julie Bliss, director of junior competition and player development for USTA/Eastern Section, addresses the Awards Gala audience
Julia Elbaba from Oyster Bay, N.Y. was honored at the Awards Gala
Congratulations to Bert Vancura from New Hyde Park, N.Y. on being recognized as a top 16-year-old by the USTA/Eastern Region
Top U.S. player Justin Gimelstob was on hand to congratulate the USTA/Eastern Section Juniors for their accomplishments
D.A. Abrams, executive director and COO for USTA/Eastern Section, and Tim Heath, USTA/Eastern Section president (far right), congratulate the Girls 16 Junior Award winners
