Sarah Keffer ’17: Over the past ten years, the paddle program at Episcopal Academy has grown from a six person team to a group of over 30 athletes. Jack Brinker ‘16, along with his co-captain Bella Echevarria ‘16, have been crucial members of creating the program Episcopal has established. Brinker recalled that he “started playing paddle sophomore year, when I came to Episcopal.” He mentioned that when he started playing paddle, “it was only offered at Episcopal.” Now Brinker participates in 18-and-under tournaments, but his training and the majority of games he participates in are played through EA’s program. He acknowledged that his interest in paddle came from tennis and noted that he liked paddle because “It’s a lot like tennis,” in which he is a co-captain as well.
Brinker’s skills from tennis have clearly carried over to his paddle game, as he is currently ranked number one in the country for paddle, but he modestly explained that, “it’s just a preliminary ranking system.” He continued saying, “I won a tournament with my partner two weeks ago, and however they do the rankings, I have no idea, they ranked us as number one.” Head Paddle Coach, Tim Kent, noted that “Jack initially didn’t have a partner [for the tournament]. By chance there was a young man named Bazenka who needed a partner and asked me if I had any ideas.” Kent further explained, “I immediately went to Jack and the two of them won the tournament. With no data other than that, the initial rankings came out. And because they won this major tournament, they were ranked number one.” He also mentioned that the rankings will most likely change because “there are some really good players out there that just weren’t playing at that tournament.” He believes that “Brinker will be able to stay on top,” however.
Brinker and Echevarria have been able to help establish one of the first high school paddle programs in the nation. The former commented that he hopes paddle will be changed from a fitness option to a varsity sport “because we are getting a lot of kids. It’s an intense sport that people play competitively and it’s really fun.” Kent further expressed this desire, but added that paddle cannot be a varsity sport “until all the other Inter-Ac schools have it. You can’t have a sport unless it is acknowledged to be a sport by the other schools. It is one of the goals in the long run.”
Photo courtesy of Bella Echevarria ’16
Brinker’s accomplishments on the court paired with his work ethic have made him a leader in paddle. Fellow paddle teammate Connor Gunsalus ‘17 asserted that Brinker, “plays every game with a positive mindset.” He continued to say that he “has a great backhand and great lobs” which allow him to be a talented player. Kent also added that he “has been an amazing leader and cheerleader for the game. He models for everyone in my program how it’s suppose to be done. He helps the younger, less experienced players. He is a gem. He is the world’s best kid and he does deserve applause.”