Stirring of the Grass

By John Burbridge
sports@charlescitypress.com
CHARLES CITY — It was a welcome breeze not welcomed by all.

The recent heat wave that draped over the region like a giant steamy damp towel seemed as if it was finally going to be lifted as a refreshing northeastern-bound chill heralded a coming cold front.

If anything, the participants of the third-annual Alex J. Kuhn Memorial Tennis Invitational held July 20 at the All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club were due for a respite from playing in humid conditions.

“It feels nice, but we can do without the wind,” said one of the youth players, who was serving as a ballboy during one of the matches. “If you’re a tennis player, you don’t like wind. It messes with your game.”

Well, be careful what you don’t wish for. A little time later, the event was beseiged with a torrential downpour fueled by 50-mile-an-hour-plus wind gusts, which leveled set-up tents at the site, as well as repositioning numerous tables and chairs.

It also broke the trophy that was to be given to the winner of the Team Iowa-vs.-Team Minnesota grass-court tourney, which featured some of the top youth players from the respective states.

Eventually, the storm passed and play resumed. And when Team Minnesota — consisting of Maddox Lundell, Grayer Malinquist, Molly Miller and Alisa Ivanov — clinched the invite win, the trophy was repaired in time for its presentation.

Members of Team Iowa included Will Feagler, Cade Branum, Julia Mauro, Dewell Anderson, Allexis Moen, Landon Cody, Andrew Scott and Campbell Love.

The event was hosted by Denise and Mark Kuhn in memory of their son Alex.

Charles City tennis coach Brian Parrott was the tournament director.