KFDM COOP Posted June 25, 2007 Report Posted June 25, 2007 BEAUMONT - The Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center's Heatwave Classic kicked off Saturday with great success. The tournament is a little different than playing standard matches. Each player plays seven games against eight opponents and however many games are won equals a point for each game. So, even the loser of the set can still earn points toward the final seeding. "That gives the young kids a chance to compete against the older kids," said Russell Grogan, the tournament administrator. "Since the young kids, who might get outlasted in long matches, can get the early jump on the older kids." That advantage was certainly apparent in Saturday's tournament Twelve-year-old Jason Abante, a soon-to-be seventh grade student at St. Anne Catholic School, competed in the 16-year-old division, and did exceptionally well. He was in first place heading into the finals. In the final round, Abante beat Corey Guilbeaux, a 15-year-old player on the tennis team at Little Cypress-Mauriceville, 10-6. "I'm surprised at how well I'm doing," said Abante. "I was nervous this morning." Abante's opponents were certainly impressed with his ability. "It's really hard to play against him. It's impressive how he seems to get everything back no matter where you hit it," said 14-year-old Dakota Heintschel, who is also playing in the 16-year-old division, after his game with Abante. Another player who dominated his division was Lain Herr, a 14-year-old freshman at Cathedral Christian Academy. He played in the 18-year-old division and was undefeated heading into the final match for first place. Herr won his division with 32 games won. The second place player, Devin Armstrong, had 24 points. "I'm not that surprised at how well I'm doing," Herr said. That statement was made with good reason, as Herr won the 18-year-old division in the previous Grand Prix tournament on May 19. That same advantage for younger players is apparent in the girls division as well. Tara Austin, a 12-year-old student at All-Saints' Episcopal School, was undefeated heading into the final round in the 14-year-old division. In the final match, she beat Phoebe Johnson 10-5 to take home first place. Although she seems young, Austin has quite a bit of experience. "I've been playing since I was six years old," said Austin, who hopes to join the All Saints' tennis team next year. Competing for victory isn't the only reason the players enjoy this tournament. "I like to play for practice for the tennis team at LC-M," Guilbeaux said. He certainly got that practice, as he finished in second place in the 16-year-old division. There are three more events in the Junior Grand Prix tennis series this summer. They take place Saturday, July 21 and Aug. 4.
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