Serving Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, and the Greater Wilshire neighborhoods of Los Angeles since 2011.

LATC Juniors’ Winning Streaks Ends

Under the lights at the historic Los Angeles Tennis Center, the Open 2 Junior Team before its match:  (l-r) Christopher Tanquary,  Tommy Hayes, Dillon Kneafsey, Michael James, Kevin Czako, Max Kim, Diego Marin, Rio Redwood, Christopher Chou, Chloe Steinfeld and Loulou Zapata with Coach Godwin Omuta in back of the team.

The LATC Open 2 Juniors team lost its match for the West Los Angeles League Junior Championship to the UCLA Aces under the lights last night at the historic Los Angeles Tennis Club in Hancock Park. The loss breaks the team’s 14-final winning streak.

Coach Godwin Omuta told the Buzz this was a tough loss for the team members because they had some chances to win during the 18 matches played by the 13-member team. But, in the end, they just weren’t able to pull it off,  losing 8-10 playing 13 singles and 5 doubles matches. LATC earned its spot in the finals this season losing just one match at the hands – or, more accurately, the racquets – of the Aces, coached by Troy Collins.

“It’s time for a new streak,” said Omuta, whose team has dominated the junior circuit in the city for the past five years. “At LATC, we move our best players up, so we are always developing the younger players and giving them a chance to compete,” explained Omuta,  who lost some of his top players this year.

The junior tennis program is directed by tennis professional Bruce Foxworth. LATC has five junior teams starting with one Novice team, two Satellite teams and two Open Teams competing in the West LA Junior League against teams from local clubs, tennis clubs and parks in three seasons, fall winter and spring. Players are ranked by ability, not age, but they range in age from 8-17 years old. The LATC program is open to both club members and non-members. Junior players are introduced to the teams through the LATC Summer and winter programs, as well as weekly clinics and lessons.

The historic club, located in Hancock Park, once hosted juniors Venus and Serena Williams and will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.  It was very exciting to watch these young players, who may join the ranks of tomorrow’s professionals.

Junior teams exchange handshakes for before going off to their matches at the Los Angeles Tennis Club last night.
LATC Juniors Chloe Steinfeld, Emily Redwood and Loulou Zapata (photo from Maribel Redwood)
Team members l-r: Loulou Zapata, Emily Redwood,Chloe Steinfeld, Max Kim and Rio Redwood enjoy a laugh with Coach Omuta and Michael James, Kevin Czako and Christopher Chou. (photo by Maribel Redwood)
A doubles match (photo by Maribel Redwood)

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Patricia Lombard
Patricia Lombard
Patricia Lombard is the publisher of the Larchmont Buzz. Patty lives with her family in Fremont Place. She has been active in neighborhood issues since moving here in 1989. Her pictorial history, "Larchmont" for Arcadia Press is available at Chevalier's Books.

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