 May 2026 Issue No. 11 Battle of the Paddles: Twice the Fun! Saturday, May 16, found 40 young picklers--double the number of last year's players--showing off their skills at our annual junior pickleball tournament. Over the four years we've held this round robin scramble, we noticed a huge increase not only in the number of participants, but also in the skill level of these youth! Watch out, Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters--the next generation is heading to a court near you!   Players were grouped by age and played four or five games. Our top scorers were as follows: Juniors (8–11) Gold: Hudson McCarthy Silver: Eden Caldoza Bronze: Beau McGibonry & Mark Griffin (tied) Challengers (12–15) Gold: Carson Altes Silver: Connor Berry Bronze: Ian Campbell Elite (16–18) Gold: Frazier Lybrand Silver: Jayden Sullivan Bronze: Addison Metts The poise and sportsmanship shown by all these competitors made us proud. The scores mattered — but the smiles mattered more. As we always say here at the Academy: if you had fun, you won.  Serving the Next Generation: Meet Our 2026 Pickleball Scholars How does the Southern Pickleball Academy promote the growth of youth pickleball through scholarships?  "Pickleball has given me so much both on and off the court — without it I would have never met some of my closest friends."— Luke Waldhauer  "After my volleyball career ended, pickleball served as an amazing outlet to stay active and competitive. My advice: do not be afraid to step out of your shell — you never know where it might take you!"— Olivia Brumfield The E. A. Powell Pickleball Scholarship is designed to do exactly that — recognizing high school seniors who have shown initiative, leadership, and character in growing the sport among their peers. By investing in young ambassadors, the Southern Pickleball Academy taps into the power of positive peer influence, encouraging students to step away from their screens and onto the court. This year, we presented $1000 scholarships to two of the C.S.R.A.'s finest junior pickleball ambassadors. Luke Waldhauer, a senior at North Augusta High, is a founding member and president of his school's pickleball club. He has participated in several local tournaments and has been a visible, enthusiastic presence in growing the game among his classmates. Luke is heading to Clemson, where he'll enroll in pre-med studies. Olivia Brumfield, a senior at South Aiken High School, organizes a 24-member pickleball club at her church, Midland Valley Nazarene. She has competed at the state and national levels in church pickleball competitions. She will study marketing at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. The Southern Pickleball Academy is committed to nurturing a lasting love of the sport among the next generation. We have every confidence that both Luke and Olivia will carry that passion with them to their college communities — and well beyond.   This month we highlight someone whose pickleball addiction has spread to become a family affair. Meet Michelle Griffin: teacher, mother, and pickleball aficionado! IT'S ALL IN THE FAMILY    Michelle Griffin and two sons, Mark and Luke  A VALUE-ADDED ADDICTION Michelle sees the value of pickleball as not just the physical exercise she gets, but also as improving her mental well-being and giving her something to look forward to. The social aspect appeals to her as well, getting her out of her shell to meet and play with new people. An added bonus: the friendships she has made on the court! LIFE CHANGING   Four paddles, pizza, and family fun. It just doesn't get any better than this! 
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