The 2023-2024 Big 8 Conference Pickleball Tournament
The pickleball courts at Monett City Park witnessed a day of intense competition and camaraderie as the second annual Big 8 Conference Pickleball Tournament unfolded on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Sponsored by Veregy and Security Bank of Southwest Missouri, and with substantial support from the Monett/Cassville YMCA, the tournament showcased the talents of 58 players from 4 different schools.
Under the clear skies and on 8 well-maintained courts, participants engaged in 5 hours of marathon pickleball play across 10 brackets. The tournament, a testament to the growing popularity of the sport, saw remarkable displays of skill and sportsmanship from all contenders.
Nevada High School clinched the Team championship for the second consecutive year, securing 4 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 7 bronze medals. New Covenant Academy placed second. Cassville claimed third place, highlighted by Elly Ramaeker and Maddie Halterman's gold medal triumph in the advanced girls' doubles bracket. Monett High School finished in 4th place.
Other notable Cassville student performances included Ethan Bohmke and Tyson Bohmke's silver medal finish in the advanced boys' doubles bracket, Simon Gates and Andrew Gray's silver medal win in the intermediate boys' doubles bracket, and Ashton Wheeler and Makaiden Bolles' silver medal triumph in the intermediate mixed doubles bracket. Emerson Grossman and Makaiden Bolles won bronze in the intermediate girls’ doubles bracket. Tyson Bohmke and Elly Ramaeker won bronze in the advanced mixed doubles bracket.
Adding to the tournament's prestige, five USA Pickleball Ambassadors from the Southwest Missouri District lent their expertise to ensure smooth organization and administration. Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) Coach Dave New from Wichita, Kansas, attended the event to evaluate the tournament structure, eyeing similar opportunities for the youth in the Wichita area. Moreover, the head pickleball coach from Drury University, Jarrod Smith was present, offering support and evaluating the talents of the student-athletes.
Blessed with ideal playing weather, the tournament unfolded seamlessly, thanks to the dedication of numerous volunteers who worked tirelessly to make it a success. Due to scheduling conflicts in the late spring semester, the Big 8 Tournament will be moved to the Fall semester next school year, ensuring broader participation and smoother logistics. With the sport's popularity on the rise, anticipation is already building for next Fall’s tournament, promising even more thrilling matches and memorable moments.