Teachers Ace the Court

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MEMORIAL GAME: Harrison plays in the “Memorial Round Robin-Tournament” in Plantation at Central Park with her mixed doubles partner, Shawn Harry. The tournament was in benefit of the Humane Society and as a memorial for Bonnie Rey. Photo Courtesy of Dianne Harrison

By: Jewel Jones and Hannah Sosa-Brotman

Pickleball has emerged as a popular sport among students, and two teachers at our school have become enthusiasts of this growing sport. Mathematics teacher Kimberly Krueger and English teacher Diane Harrison have embraced pickleball as a leisure pastime and a competitive endeavor.

Harrison found this dynamic sport when it gained a lot of momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its accessibility and unique play style. While most players started playing pickleball during the pandemic, Krueger was first introduced to the sport twenty years prior. She has been playing and competing for nine years and appreciates the inclusive nature and camaraderie it fosters.

Pickleball is a sport combining elements of tennis and badminton played on a court similar to that of a badminton court, with a net lower than a tennis court net, a paddle instead of a racket, and a perforated plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball. Only the serving team, played in singles or doubles, scores points by winning a rally, and the game is played to eleven points.

“I actually played it in 2000 during a vacation in Arizona and they didn’t have any courts here, and then in 2016, somebody showed me where they had some courts. I started playing. You can play with anybody of any level and still have fun..” stated Krueger.

Having played in the US Open and other national tournaments, Krueger has been able to dominate the court and make a name for herself with her skills. Her zeal for the sport stems not only from her love of playing but her competitive drive. With new courts opening in the area, Krueger is eager to get more local play.

“There are a lot of tournaments that come up around the nation. In our own backyard, they just built new courts, 43 of them across the Fort Lauderdale International Airport.” said Krueger.

**WINNING GOLD:** Kruger stands with the Golden Ticket with her pickleball partner in mesa, Arizona. The ticket allows both to move onto the Nationals Competition. *Photo courtesy of Kimberly Krueger.*

Where Krueger found her passion for pickleball more than twenty years ago, Harrison’s drive to play and eventually compete at a competitive level began back in 2020 during COVID-19.

“So actually, during COVID, I was looking for something to do outside, because we were all inside and getting a little restless, and a friend of mine that I used to teach with played and told me about it, so I came out one day, and I was hooked,” stated Harrison.

As the COVID-19 quarantine took a toll on people socially, people sought new activities to occupy themselves. Pickleball was one of those discoveries for Harrison. Initially, it was a fun way to stay active, but she quickly found herself participating in higher-level competitions. Even though she occasionally competes in pickleball, she still prefers playing for fun.

“It’s an opportunity to feel like a kid again. I don’t have to worry about what team I’m on, or who I’m playing with. It’s like recess for adults, and we socialize out there,” stated Harrison.

Harrison’s competitive journey has been noteworthy. She advanced to district-level tournaments and currently has a 3.0 pickleball ranking. She qualified for states in Tampa, won gold, and is now qualified for Nationals in Iowa.

“In pickleball, you have rankings anywhere from a 1.0 to a 5.0 so my partner and I entered in the 3.0 category for our age group, won gold in Broward, and then we went to Tampa for states, and then we won gold there. We are qualified to go to Nationals, which is in Des Moines, Iowa,” stated Harrison.

As pickleball gains traction among students and staff, there is talk about the formation of a pickleball club at the school. These teachers’ love for the sport along with student interest has inspired the idea of a club to allow students the opportunity to develop their skills and compete. The introduction of pickleball as a collegiate sport will allow it to potentially make its way into high school athletic programs.

“Pickleball is definitely going to become a part of the athletes program in the future. It’s already gone to the collegiate level. It is, I perceive, going to be an Olympic sport soon. It’s across the world.” stated Krueger.