Sunday, January 27, 2008

Andrew & Nathan Wiggin reach Nationals Semi-Finals


The Hinsdale duo trekked the furthest of any in the 10 & under boys draw at the Nationals -- which this year numbered 20 teams.

Andrew (10) and Nathan (8) played four teams in a qualifying round at the Racquets Club, winning the most games of any of the teams in their bracket.

They advanced to the quarter-finals at the Beacon Hill Club. From this point on, Nathan was the youngest competitor to set foot on the aluminum deck.

In the quarters, the boys beat a talented team from Connecticut, 8-5, to advance to the semi-finals.

Their opponents in the semis -- from Garden City, New York -- brought the heat with tough forehand drives and breezed through the first set.

Digging deep, the Wiggin boys stepped up their own offense and took an early lead in the second set. They held on to a 7-5 victory.

All four players began to show signs of wear and tear as they kicked off the third set. Andrew and Nathan took the match to 30-all at 4-4 in the final set before things went the wrong way. This semi-final match ended 1-6, 7-5, 4-6.

It was a terrific paddle experience and impressive results for a young team at their first Nationals tournament!