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The 2022 Spring Junior National Championships and Prospect Camp took place from June 18-22 in Rome, Ga. Players from all over the nation competed at the Rome Tennis Center at Barry College to win national titles, get scouted by college coaches, learn about the college and pro tennis experience, and improve their UTR Ratings.
The Junior Pathway was launched in 2021 and returned bigger and better than ever in 2022 with a spring and fall season. All 15U and 17U matches are live-streamed.
The spring Nationals and Prospect Camp was the culmination of the 2022 Spring Junior National Pathway, which started in February with 16 Regional events taking place at college campuses around the U.S. Winners of the 15U and 17U divisions qualified for nationals, and the draws were filled out by at-large registrations (based on UTR Rating). Nationals were played June 18-20, with the Prospect Camp immediately following from June 20-22.
All of the junior action took place at the same time as a men's and women's $25K UTR Pro Tennis Tour (PTT) event held at the same facility, exposing youngsters to elite college and pro players. Semifinalists, finalists, and/or winners of the 15U and 17U national divisions will receive wild cards into future PTT events.
Fauchet, Brunkow Win 15U National Crowns
In Monday's girls' final action, Elizabeth Fauchet (UTR Rating 9.01) won the 15U girls' national title 6-2, 6-1 over Sabritt Dozier (7.95). Fauchet, who traveled from Tennessee, also won the Southern Regionals title. She was the No. 1 seed in Rome and used her lefty serve and heavy topspin to win all five of her matches in straight sets.
"What I love about playing here is playing the different types of players, getting to meet new styles, and just getting to meet new people," Fauchet said.
The 15U boys' trophy went to California's Lorenzo Brunkow (10.16). Like Fauchet, Brunkow was the top seed and dominated all of his matches. He experienced everything the Pathway offers by winning the SoCal Regionals and the Prospect Camp. In the 15U final, he utilized his all-court game to beat Evan Ly (9.03), 6-2, 6-1.
15U Champions Throw First Pitches
On Tuesday night, Fauchet and Brunkow had the honor of throwing the first pitches ahead of the Rome Braves minor league baseball game versus the Hickory Crawdads. The Braves' home field is just a three-minute drive from the Rome Tennis Center.
New Faces Win 17U National Titles
In the 17U girls' final, Germany Davis (9.36) defeated Elisabeth Dunac (9.32), 6-1, 7-6 (4). Davis, the No. 4 seed, came back from a 0-4 deficit in the second set to win the crown.
"The thing that really drew me to this tournament, is the exposure, the high level," Davis said, "and the opportunities that came with winning it and the doors that are being open for me."
In the Cinderella story of the tournament Shaurya Bharadwaj (10.98) capped off his perfect performance with a 7-6(2), 0-6, 6-2 over 2021 champion Nico Jamison. Unseeded, Bharadwaj took out top seed Jose Garcia and upset Justin Lyons in round-robin action. Against Jamison, he recovered from a 1-5 deficit in the first set and regrouped after dropping the second set.
"It's been a long time since I won a tournament," Bharadwaj said. "Actually, and this is my first
Teams Compete in Prospect Camp
The Prospect Camp began on Monday afternoon and saw players divided into two co-ed teams of 12 girls and boys. The team names were creatively dubbed the Bruin-Kats and the Bison as players took part in drills, singles, and doubles across three days.
Each team was captained by college coaches, with the Bruin-Kats led by Belmont University men's tennis coach Mauricio Antun and the Bison coached by Georgia Gwinnett College assistant coach Randall Knox.
The battle came down to the wire as the Bruin-Kats edged out a 22-19 victory on Wednesday afternoon to capture the medals. The Prospect Camp included a field trip to the Rome Braves baseball game and a dinner provided by local food trucks where juniors enjoyed tacos and grilled cheese sandwiches alongside the professional and college players taking part in the UTR Pro Tennis Tour $25K event.
Players also heard from a coaches panel that featured Antun, Knox, and former Mizzou head coach Colt Gaston (now the general manager of the Rome Tennis Center). A seminar was led by Georgia Gwinnett College's former head coach Chase Hodges (now the vice president of Universal Tennis).
For more coverage of the 2022 tournament, check out Parenting Aces. To learn more about the Junior National Pathway, click here. All matches can be re-watched by clicking here for the girls and here for the boys.
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