JTCC earned an unprecedented second Team USA Developmental Program of the Year Award from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) after being named the first recipient of the award in 2013.
The ceremony took place on Sunday during the prestigious junior Easter Bowl competition at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Palm Desert, CA where JTCC was represented by coaches Ali Agnamba, Megan Moulton-Levy, Ben Cappuccitti and Wilson Mathewes who accepted the award from Kent Kinnear, USTA Director of Player ID and Development. The four coaches have been overseeing 19 JTCC players participating in the various age divisions of the Easter Bowl this week.
JTCC had a stellar year in 2017 highlighted by Saud Alhogbani claiming the USTA National Boys’ 14s Clay and Hard Court titles and Robin Montgomery capturing the USTA National Girls’ 14s Hard Court crown. Alhogbani and Montgomery also both won National 14s doubles titles at the National 14 Clay Court Championships.
The duo also achieved success internationally. Alhogbani became the youngest Davis Cup player ever to represent Saudi Arabia, and Montgomery reached the quarterfinals at Les Petits As (14 and Under World Championships) in France.
High school seniors Andrew Fenty, Brian Cernoch and William Woodall have also represented JTCC with distinction on the ITF Junior circuit which includes the Grand Slams. Fenty recently became the 7th JTCC student to be ranked in the top 10 in the junior world rankings following in the footsteps of Usue Arconada, Trice Capra, Mitchell Frank, Denis Kudla, Phillip Simmonds, and Frances Tiafoe.
Stefan Regalia and Ryan Colby won major national honors taking home gold balls from the USTA Winter Nationals Boys’ 12s doubles and the USTA National Indoor Boys’ 14s doubles, respectively.
Joining Alhogbani, Brandon Perez was named to the Davis Cup team representing Venezuela and Lauren Anzalotta won the 88th Puerto Rican National Championships becoming the third youngest winner in the event’s history as a 15-year-old.
JTCC’s competitive achievements are unmatched by any other junior program in the nation with 47 students qualifying for the USTA Supernational Championships.
“Our coaches are focused on developing the talents of every student to reach his or her fullest potential” said JTCC CEO Ray Benton. “The hard work and dedication of both the students and the staff continues to show impressive results not only at junior tournaments, but also in college acceptances every after year.”
JTCC alumni made headlines throughout 2017 with four graduates, Ammar Alhogbani (UVA), Luca Corinteli (UVA), Mia Gancayco (Williams) and Andrew Harrington (Emory), starring on NCAA National Championship winning teams.
Four JTCC alumni are competing on the professional tours. After two full years on the ATP tour, Frances Tiafoe won his first ATP title in Del Ray Beach, FL and has reached a career high No. 58 in the ATP World rankings. Denis Kudla won his sixth ATP Tour Challenger in singles, and Treat Huey continued to perform well in ATP World Tour doubles events. Eighteen-year-old Usue Arconada has closed in on the WTA Top 200 in her first year playing in professional events.
Team JTCC receives the Development Program of the Year Award (L to R: Kent Kinnear, Ali Agnamba, Megan Moulton-Levy, Ben Cappuccitti and Wilson Mathewes. Credit – David Kenas)
