USATT LEAGUE of the Month - Nov/Dec 2006

Provo-Orem Tournament of Champions

By Erich Ficker

The Provo-Orem Tournament of Champions (POTOC) is working proof that you don’t need eight tables and an NBA-sized gymnasium to have competitive table tennis play. Organized three years ago, POTOC was without a table, but not without passion for the game. We had four athletes play in our first league match at a local college (Utah Valley State). The results of that match were never recorded, and it was three years later that the first recorded match was played.

We have recently picked up several members, a decent table and a dedicated place to play. We do not have high ceilings or copious amounts of space at either end of the table, but we have enough to make for some serious matches. We are all fairly new to this sport competitively, but have been involved in it casually for many years.

Most of us had never played a match with a rating on the line and it has made for very interesting play. Add the element of standings among friends, and it gets very competitive in a hurry. Atop our standings currently is Jeff Stiles, whose unique grip and unyielding consistency is difficult to overcome. Next is Erich Ficker (author), followed by Devan Stiles and Garrett Stiles. Dalles Stiles is currently in a trailing position, but is working hard to make that old news. Two members who recently joined, Craig Cannon and Taylor Ainge, have proven to be worthy opponents.

We play almost every night around nine or ten (the size of our league allows for some serious flexibility) in Provo, UT, just north of BYU’s Lavell Edward’s stadium. We welcome any and all that would like to join in the fun and experience table tennis the way it was intended, fun and competitive. You can contact us at www.usatt.org/league, click on singles league. We are currently the only league in the state of Utah.

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