Heron Pickleball Tournament Raises $15K for Gunston Athletics
Under clear skies and beautiful spring weather, The Gunston School hosted its annual Heron Pickleball Outdoor Tournament on Saturday, April 18. The event brought together 60 participants, along with spectators, staff, and volunteers to Gunston’s tennis courts for a full day of play. The event raised a little more than $15,000 that will directly benefit Gunston’s 23 varsity sports teams and junior varsity programs, helping to offset the cost of equipment and uniforms.
The tournament featured a round-robin and double-elimination format, spanning men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles. Players and supporters stayed energized with a spread that included a Gunston tradition: long-time faculty member Mr. Ben Dize flipping his famous chocolate chip pancakes. Participants also enjoyed refreshments from the Herbal Brew Bar of Stevensville and snacks provided throughout the day.
“Members of the Crabby Pickleball Club of Kent Island showed up in force today,” said Head of School John Lewis. “We are so grateful for their continued support of our event each year!”
“We’re new to the area and we saw this opportunity come up and jumped at the chance,” explained Cecilia Amatangelo, who won Mixed Intermediate with her husband Paul. “We get to play Pickleball in this beautiful setting and support a great cause? That’s a no brainer.”
Following a competitive day of matches, the following teams took home first place in their respective divisions:
- Women’s Beginners: Kylie Schappeler & Adele Showalter, P’25’27
- Women’s Intermediate: Karen Crowder & Lena Mazeina, P’29
- Mixed Beginner: Michael Crandall & Emily Powers
- Mixed Intermediate: Paul and Cecilia Amatangelo
- Mixed Advanced: Megan Owings, P’29 & Creg Fleetwood, P’28’30
- Men’s Intermediate: Van ’26 & Sevan Topjian, P’26’27’28
- Men’s Advanced: Juan M. Cordero & Anthony Borradaile
The Heron Pickleball Tournament sponsors include:
- Grand Slam sponsors Fred Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Easton (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25)
- Court sponsors Joyce & Associates, LLC (Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26’29), Easton Dermatology Associates, LLC (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), and Dr. Horace K. Wood, DMD, PA - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (Leigh & Dr. Horace K. Wood, P’24’27).
- Volley sponsors include McCallister, Detar, Showalter, & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27), Paul Ewing’s Contractor Supply (Pam & Charlie Andrews, P’26), Eastern Shore Vacation Rentals, (Bryan Trautman, P’23’27) and Friends of Gunston.
- Paddle Sponsors include Crabby Pickleball Club, PepUp (Melanie & Nash McMahan, P’27’28), Molly’s (Nick & Katie Shajwani, P’26), The Dreeke Family, P’28, David A. Bramble Inc., (The Owings Family, P’29), Ebb Tide Tent & Party Rentals, The Malone Family, Wye Gardens (Will Gordon, P’28’29), Ash & Ember (The Herr Family, P’28), Parker Counts Law Firm (Lee Gordon, P’28’29), Fleetwood Insurance Group (Creg Fleetwood, P’28’30), ShoreGate Partners (Chesley & Justin Nonemaker, P’27’29), Building System Solutions, Smith & Weston Construction, The Shifrin Family, P’21’21, and Dr. Laurie & John Lewis, P’29.