Ritter, Petrytsky win tennis championships at Soyuzivka (09/14/97)

Ritter, Petrytsky win tennis championships at Soyuzivka

KERHONKSON. N.Y. - Bill Ritter, who last year fell victim to leg cramps during a tough quarterfinal match against the tennis tournament's eventual champion, Mark Oryshkevych, this year would cave in to nothing or no one. The new men's champion took the title at the 42nd annual tournament held at Soyuzivka over the Labor Day weekend under the auspices of the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada by defeating Dennis Czornij 6-3, 6-4.

En route to the final he had taken the measure of Kornylo Czornij in the quarterfinals and Dr. George Charuk in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Dennis Czornij made it to the finals by eliminating Ihor Ferencevych in the quarterfinals, and Dan Kopach in the semis.

Competition in the men's group during the 1997 tourney held August 30 through September 1 took place minus the talents and skills of seven-time champion Roman Sydorak and the 1996 champion, Mr. Oryshkevych.

In the women's division, too, there was a new champion as Stefa Petrytsky, last year's winner in the girls' division, beat 1996 women's champ Anna Maria Shumsky 6-0, 6-1 and Leeda Kopach 6-1, 6-0. Second place in that division went to Ms. Kopach, who defeated Ms. Shumsky in a difficult three-setter that went to a tie breaker, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2) .

The results in other divisions were as follows.

Men 35 and over: Dr. Charuk defeated three-time champion Mr. Kopach by a score of 6-1, 6-1. (The tournament committee allowed both to compete also in the men's division.)

Men 45 and over: Dr. Yaroslav Sydorak continued to dominate in this division as he defeated George Petrykewycz 6-2, 6-3. In the semis, Dr. Sydorak eliminated Oleksander Terlecky, while Mr. Petrykewycz beat Roman Shumsky.

Men 55 and over: Competing for the first time in this division, George Sawchak emerged victorious as he defeated 1996 champion George Hrabec. After losing 1-6 in the first set, Mr. Hrabec withdrew as he could not continue playing. In the semifinals, Mr. Sawchak beat George Wytanowych 6-0, 6-0, while Mr. Hrabec eliminated Alex Olynec 6-2, 6-2.

Consolation round: In this group of men composed of tennis players who suffered one loss, Stepan Sosiak and Roman Olynec won trophies in the men's and senior men's divisions, respectively.

Junior girls: Barbara Shumsky held on to her title in this division by beating Luba Wojnow 6-0, 6-1. In the semifinals, Ms. Shumsky eliminated Jane Brynzak, while Ms. Wojnow defeated Christine Sturman 7-5, 6-2.

Girls: Adriana Fokshey emerged victorious over both Liza Kossak and Larysa Popel to take the girls' title.

Boys 12 and under: Hryhoriy Sturman is the new champion as he defeated last year's winner, Stepan Shumsky, 6-1, 6-0. In the semis, Mr. Sturman beat Yevhen Rudavsky of Ukraine following a tough three-setter, 5-7, 6-2. 6-4. In the other semifinal, Mr. Shumsky defeated Yevhen Narodnytsky.

Boys 16 and over: The Ukrainian Weekly trophy, traditionally awarded to the winner of this division, went to Andriy Saliak, previously a champion in younger age brackets, who competed in this age group for the first time. He took the title by defeating Denys Kolb of Ukraine 6-0, 6-0. In the semis, Mr. Saliak eliminated Damian Zayats 6-3, 6-3, while Mr. Kolb did likewise, by the same score, to Victor Sulzynsky.

Boys 18 and under: Champion Greg Pearson continued his winning ways this year by defeating George Saldana 6-0, 6-0 in the final and Marky Levytsky 6-3, 6-4 in the semis. Mr. Saldana made it to the final when his opponent-to-be in the semis, Orest Tarnavsky, did not appear for the match.

The tennis tournament was officially opened with the traditional flag-raising ceremony on Soyuzivka's lower courts. The athletes, joined by youths who competed in the annual Labor Day weekend swim meet, were addressed by Ukrainian National Association President Ulana Diachuk, USCAK President Myron Stebelsky and Roman Rakoczy Sr. of the Carpathian Ski Club, which has served as host for the 42 annual tennis tournaments held at the UNA resort.

After the competition on the courts came to a close on Labor Day, September 1, winners were presented trophies and other awards sponsored by the Ukrainian National Association.

In addition, stipends were awarded by Winner Ford as follows: men's division $800 to the champion, $400 for second-place finisher, $200 for defeated semifinalists; women's division - $600 and $300; and youths (both boys and girls) $200 and $100. The monetary awards were presented by Deanna Hynansky, whose husband, John, is president of Winner Ford.

The ceremonies were highlighted also by the presentation of the Mary Dushnyck Sportsmanship Trophy, funded and presented by Mrs. Dushnyck herself, an honorary member of the UNA General Assembly and a former tennis player. Ms. Wojnow, who competed in the junior girls' division, was selected to receive the honor.

The tourney was closed with brief remarks by Mr. Rakoczy, KLK President George Popel, tournament director Mr. Sawchak, tournament committee member Zenon Snylyk, Mrs. Hynansky and Mrs. Diachuk.

The 1997 USCAK national tennis championships were conducted by a committee comprising Messrs. Sawchak, Rakoczy, Snylyk, Popel and Hrabec.

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