The inaugural JTCC College Connect/ Travel Grant Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) Progressive Open event starts on Sunday, June 9 at JTCC in College Park, MD and runs through to June 16. 96 players under the age of 25 will be competing throughout the week with many of the field hoping to showcase their skills to the college coaches who will be in attendance.
Staff from 33 different schools will be at JTCC during the event and players will have the opportunity to arrange meetings with these college coaches prior to their first match. There will also be a series of seminars and panels that will enhance the off court experience for everyone at the tournament.
The schedule for these is as follows:
Monday, June 10
11 am College Coaches session on Mental Conditioning with Peter Lee (JTCC Senior Advisor of Optimal Performance)
6:30 pm College Presentation with Taka Bertrand (JTCC Director of College Recruiting)
Tuesday, June 11
11 am College Coaches session on Fitness Training with Oliver Akli (JTCC Senior Director of Champions Program) and TC Costello (JTCC Senior Director of Fitness)
6:30 pm Panel with Anik Cepeda (Williams College) and Eric Spangler (Goucher University) moderated by a JTCC staff member
Wednesday, June 12
11 am Doubles Fundamentals with Mira Vlcek (JTCC Senior Coach) with Megan Moutlon-Levy (JTCC Director of Mentoring)
6:30 pm Q & A session on Mastering the Junior Schedule with Ali Agnamba (JTCC Senior Director of Junior Champions Program) and Asaf Yamin (JTCC Director of High Performance)
Thursday, June 13
6:30 pm Panel discussion about the State of US Tennis with Vesa Ponkka (JTCC Senior Director of Tennis), Chuck Kriese (The Citadel) and Andy Brandi (Louisiana State University)
On the court every player is guaranteed a minimum of three matches and will receive UTR credit for each match. The lowest 32 UTR rated players will begin play on Sunday, with 16 advancing to play Monday. The next 16 UTR players will play Monday, joined by those who advanced from Sunday. This pattern will continue through to play on Thursday. The round of 16 and quarterfinals will be played on Friday, semifinals on Saturday, and the final and 3rd/4th playoff on Sunday.
The total Purse prize money is $4,000. The highest finishing male/female will each receive $1,000, second highest finishing male/female $650, and the third highest finishing male/female $350. As a reminder junior players who are prospective collegiate athletes are allowed to take up to $10,000 in prize money per year. For the most up to date information on NCAA regulations click here
“JTCC is excited to bring this opportunity to young players”, said Megan Moulton-Levy, JTCC Director of Mentoring and Tournament Director. “UTR events are the perfect arenas for all players to showcase their skills and we are looking forward to a great week on and off the court.”
For more information on the tournament and to see the draws visit – https://www.myutr.com/events/1644?t=0
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