Dave Weinbach and Mircea Morariu take the prize in Senior Pro Men ’ s Doubles .
Nathalie Bagby and partner Elizabeth Bellamy delighted the crowd with stellar play to win the title in QVC Senior Pro Women ’ s Doubles .
Dave Weinbach and Mircea Morariu take the prize in Senior Pro Men ’ s Doubles .
Nathalie Bagby and partner Elizabeth Bellamy delighted the crowd with stellar play to win the title in QVC Senior Pro Women ’ s Doubles .
defeated Cammy MacGregor and Jennifer Dawson , 11-5 , 11-7 .
And , in closing out the bracket for the QVC Senior Pro Women ’ s Singles final , Jennifer Dawson beat Lee Whitwell 11-3 , 11-6 .
With the advent of an official wheelchair division at Nationals , history was made in Mesa . Winning the Triple Crown is an unforgettable accomplishment for any pickleballer , and for Taylor Nichols , his time spent in and around the Arizona Athletic Grounds will be memorable . Capturing the title in singles , doubles and mixed doubles propelled the 32-year-old into the spotlight .
Nichols earned the singles crown with an 11-5 , 12-10 win over Carl Cogdill . He then teamed with Jenna Maury in hybrid doubles and defeated Gina Jenkins and Carl Cogdill 11-4 , 8-11 , 11-4 , while in wheelchair doubles he played alongside Gina Jenkins and won a tough match against Marianne Orr and Corey White with scores of 11-5 , 9-11 , and 11-9 .
Nichols and the other 10 wheelchair athletes participating in Nationals were beyond elated to be able to display their talents among some of the world ’ s finest pickleballers .
“ There were some incredible athletes at Nationals ,” he noted . “ We were all just excited to finally be included in the top competition and prove that despite any limitations , an athlete is an athlete ! We want to showcase our talent and competitiveness just like any other athlete . I know this is just the beginning and there ’ s no doubt in my mind , next year ’ s divisions will be twice as big .”
Nichols , who ’ s from Burleson , Texas , was racing professional motocross when he broke his back during a race in December of 2017 ,
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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2024 | MAGAZINE 35