Split Pro Age Matches Feature New Pairs as Nationals Gets Under Way

Pro play at the Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships kicked off Monday with the men’s and women’s split pro age brackets.

An event unique to Nationals, split-age doubles teams must consist of one player over and one player under the age of 50.

These requirements led to some pretty memorable combinations on the court.

These pairs included Callan Dawson teaming up with his father Steve; JW Johnson joining forces with his coach Mircea Morariu; and Riley Newman playing alongside mental performance coach Dayne Gingrich, among others.

The Dawson duo certainly made their impression on the draw by taking out world No. 1 Ben Johns and PPA Tour investor, Tom Dundon, in the quarterfinals.

Callan attributes the duo’s success to the familiarity they have with each other from playing together daily.

“It’s mentally easy, partnership-wise, because we know exactly what we’re gonna do,” he explained.

In the semis, they ran into the team of Johnson and coach Morariu.

The ladder emerged victorious after a back-and-forth match, eventually taking the third game 11-5.

Even though the 22-year-old and his coach don’t play together very often, Johnson admits that he enjoyed being able to team up to take on the world’s best.

“It’s pretty fun to play with each other, especially against other pros,” he mentioned.

Johnson and Morariu’s victory set them up to take on the duo of Newman Gingrich in the gold medal match.

Newman was coming off a victory at MLP Dallas on Sunday as a member of DC Pickleball Team and wanted to capture that “winning feeling” again the very next day.

One 11-5, 11-8 victory later, he got what he wanted.

After two titles in as many days, the Dallas local Newman is ready to keep the good results coming later in the week.

“I’m excited, I’m pumped, I’m ready,” he said. “Hopefully I can continue that momentum on to Wednesday.”

On the women’s side of the bracket, Anna Bright and Christine Karges took home the gold after going 4-0 on the day and boasting a +41 point differential across their matches.

The split pro age play continues Tuesday, with mixed doubles starting at 2pm.