Cougars Get The Message: CCHS’ First Pickleball Tournament

“On your marks, get set, go!” echoed through the CCHS gym on February 24th at the start of CCHS’ first ever pickleball tournament. The Pickleball Club joined forces with CCHS’ Morgan’s Message Club to host the event. All proceeds from the event were donated to Morgan’s Message, a nonprofit that promotes discussion around mental health within the athletic community. 

The highly anticipated tournament was promoted with posters and announcements throughout the school. On Saturday, leaders of the Pickleball Club and Morgan’s Message arrived at Charlotte Catholic hours before the event to prepare the venue. After laying countless rolls of tape, club officers finished the job. Players poured into the gym and the games began. The event offered free food, drink, and Morgan’s Message merchandise to all the teams.

Due to time constraints, the first round of games were played in seven minutes as opposed to the normal 11-point game. Some teams established their dominance with blowout victories, like heavy hitters Charlie Riney and Lukas Lupinski, as well as power house duo Sarah Tricarico and Katie Coile. 

The second round produced some surprising upsets. Varsity tennis players Ben Hicks and Josh Blanton exited the event after a loss to freshmen Jack George and Emmett Drensek. The high school pickleball tournament matched the intensity of a PPA Championship. 

CCHS Students participating in first Pickleball tournament Credit: Miller McMillan

Heading into the semi-finals, three teams remained in contention: Sarah Tricarico and Katie Coile, Jack George and Emmett Drensek, and Charlie Riney and Lukas Lupinski. Riney and Lupinski were given a bye to the finals after annihilating their opponents. After a hard fought game, George and Drensek emerged unscathed, and  the Lupinski–Riney “Dream Team” finally had some worthy opponents. 

The championship was an incredible duel between the two pickleball titans of Charlotte Catholic. Drensek and George held onto a lead for most of the game, but when all hope seemed lost Riney and Lupinski snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in overtime. 

Champion Charlie Riney had two simple words after his miraculous comeback: “Not done.” That spectacular finish put the cherry on top of a very successful first tournament for the fledgling club.

The feedback garnered after the tournament was overwhelmingly positive, with everyone praising the Pickleball Club and Morgan’s Message. People are asking when the second edition will take place and the response from club management is a simple “soon.”

The only thing CCHS student body ponder after the tournament is can the reigning champions be taken down?