Area pickleball players rank in Ohio Senior Olympics

by Laura Bednar

The pickleball courts at Bath Community Park are more than just a space for people to ace and dink; they are the training grounds for several Ohio Senior Olympic athletes.

Thirty-five area pickleball players competed in the recent Ohio Senior Olympics, held Aug. 19-22 at Stadium Park in Canton and Boettler Park in North Canton. The players were either from Bath or regularly play on the township’s courts. Of those who participated, 20 received medals and 21 qualified for the national competition.

The Ohio Senior Olympics began in 1979 and is sanctioned by the National Senior Games Association to oversee the Senior Games movement in the state. The organization’s website states: “The event fosters camaraderie, sportsmanship and healthy competition among athletes 50+ years old, promoting an active lifestyle and overall well-being.”

Pickleball is one of 15 sports offered in the Senior Olympics. Athletes compete in their age group: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80 and over, in either women’s or men’s singles, women’s or men’s doubles or mixed doubles.

Players are also categorized by their skill level on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being a beginner and 5 being expert level. Bath area players who qualified for the national competition played at a 3.0, 3.5 or 4.0 skill level.

Bath resident Alan Kurzweil competed in the men’s doubles with his partner Manny Victoriano, earning a silver medal in the 70-74 age group. He said there were no qualifying matches and athletes could register online to participate. He had seen an internet posting and decided to partner up and compete.

“It was my first time in the Olympics,” said Kurzweil. “Manny and I played together often the month prior to the event to learn how each other plays.”

Kurzweil became involved in pickleball after taking a beginning clinic at a Hilton Head resort. He has been playing for five years, hitting the court three to four times a week, primarily at Bath Community Park.

Copley resident Chuck Penzenik was a racquetball player for decades before trying pickleball, which has been his main focus for the past eight years. He plays seven days a week, primarily at the Bath courts.

“The competitiveness of the game keeps me around,” said Penzenik. “I’m doing something every day.”

This year was his Ohio Senior Olympics debut, playing in men’s doubles in the 75-79 age group and earning a gold medal.

After playing against mostly people in their 50s and 60s in Bath, Penzenik said, “I was amazed at how good I was in that age group.” He and his partner also played more often together in preparation for the Olympics.

Penzenik started the Bath Community Pickleball Club, a group of over 400 area pickleball players, the majority of which are active. He brought players from the Jewish Community Center of Akron – where he has previously played – to the Bath courts and now 30 to 40 club members play there daily.

“Bath is a social place,” said Kurzweil. “You are invited to play if you show up. Other cities are not as welcoming.”

He added that the club members spend time together outside of pickleball, attending birthday parties, happy hours and other events.

The female players in the club hold their own, and the blend of skilled male and female players is what makes Bath Community Park a desirable place to play, according to Penzenik.

Club member Barb Burnham, a Copley resident, has played since 2019 and practices five to seven times a week at courts in Bath, Akron and Wadsworth. She competed in the women’s doubles age bracket of 65-69 and earned a silver medal, going up against seven teams in her division.

“I love playing. You meet a lot of people and make friends,” said Burnham.

Another skilled female player is Rhonda Wells, who earned a gold medal in the women’s singles ages 75-79 and a bronze medal in the mixed doubles ages 70-74. In some instances, Kurzweil said players had to compete above or below their age group or skill level.

Penzenik noted that members from the Bath club won the most medals of any club at the Olympics. “That’s an impressive feat in itself,” said Penzenik.

The club is set to be featured in a Northeast Ohio pickleball newsletter.

Adding to the publicity of the popular sport, Kurzweil said former Oakland Raiders football player and coach Fred Biletnikoff was present to hand out medals at the state Olympic competition. Those who placed first through fourth in their bracket qualified for the national competition, which takes place in Iowa in 2025.

Kurzweil said pickleball is popular because anyone can learn the game regardless of age. While it may be easy to learn, Penzenik explained that it is a game that takes practice.

“It’s not a game you’ll get off the couch after 40 years and play,” he said.

Penzenik’s advice to aspiring pickleball players? “Take your time and get with a group of players of your ability.” ∞

On our cover (photo): All pickleball players pictured qualified for the national competition and several earned medals in their respective Ohio Senior Olympics category. Pictured are: back row (l-r) Kenny Krummel, Larry Yacovazzi, Mark Hastings, Bruce Hulme, Alan Kurzweil, Mark Wise, Chuck Penzenik, Manny Victoriano. Front row (l-r) Cathy Anderson, Kathy Bean, Cindy Nelson, Barb Burnham, Lida Wiencek and Beth Hulme. Qualifiers not pictured are: Jeannine Jones, Rhonda Wells, Jackie Walker, Al Walker, Jerry Shinn, Bob Hoffmann and Mary Kay Hoffmann. Photo by Wendy Turrell.

Bath pickleball players Alan Kurzweil and Manny Victoriano
(r) accept their second place medal among the other players
and former NFL player Fred Biletnikoff (front). Photo courtesy
of Cindy Nelson.

Rhonda Wells moves to return the ball
during an Olympic meet. Photo courtesy
of Cindy Nelson.