Continuing coverage Todd Junior Tennis
By Skip Weaver
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN — For Patrick Tervo, his first experience in the sport of tennis may have been just the trick in keeping him involved for years to come.
The 6-year-old West Chester resident competed in the Todd Junior Tennis program’s skills challenge — an event for kids ages 5, 6 and 7 who participated in the six-week summer program — on Wednesday at the Middletown High School tennis courts and ended up finishing as the boys runner-up.
“It was hard, but I liked it,” Tervo said after receiving his trophy. “This is my first trophy for tennis. I have one for soccer.”
Because of his experience, Tervo said he plans to continue playing tennis, which was music to his mother Kristy’s ears.
“We heard about this through some friends and thought it would be a good way to get involved in another sport,” said Kristy Tervo, adding that her other son Colin, who is 8, will compete in today’s tournament.
“They never held a racket before June,” she said. “Patrick was scared to death at first, but he’s really enjoyed coming out here. It’s been a huge confidence builder.
“It’s been a neat thing to introduce to our family too,” she continued. “Now, all of us have gone out and played the sport.”
Last summer, Todd Tennis experienced a record-setting season with more than 180 participants, according to program director and tennis instructor Mary Joseph. The total was down to a more average number of 155 this year, she said.
“That’s a good number,” said Joseph, who is in her fifth year as the director. “I think a lot of families like to come out to do this together. It’s not exactly super intense instruction. We want the kids to have fun and enjoy this throughout the summer and I think they did.”
Joseph, a former Fenwick High School tennis coach, believes the sport is seeing an increase in interest at the younger ages.
“With anything, if you want kids to be involved you have to start them early,” Joseph said.
The program will end its 61st summer of instruction with a tournament today for kids ages 8-12 at the MHS courts.