Wild Card Ticket To Ride Goes To The Kid With The Killer Smile And Big Game
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Northwood's Carina 'Wild Card' Kaempfer sets sights on Dow Corning weekend
2002 Dow Corning singles champion was Na Li of the People’s Republic of China
Oh to be 21 with great looks, excellent grades and the widely-circulated assessment of your coach Zane Colestock that you are "the best woman tennis player I ever coached."
Now add the second year that she has been offered a wild card entry into the qualifier of the Dow Corning/USTA Women's Challenger pro tennis tournament February 2-9, and you could say Christmas arrived early for Carina Kaempfer.
The Northwood University tennis star won the hearts of her fans last year with hersingular concentration and determined play, winning her first round match of the qualifier before losing in the second round.
Since then she has sparkled at the collegiate level being named GLIAC Player Of The Year for the second year winningthe Midwest Regional Singles Championships, and placing third at the ITA Nationals in Corpus Christi, Texas. Once again she was undefeated in conference play with a 13-0 record.
The Northwood Kid has played in ten countries around the world and competed against WTA stars. She took top ranked pro Kim Clijsters to three sets in Belgium.
As she nears graduation, Carina has a realistic view of her options which means her next step is a masters degree to further her preparation in international business for a career with a corporation most likely in Europe.
"Tennis has been very good to me and I have respected the game with my work ethic and my desire to make fans proud of my effort on the court," says Carina, obviously giving her answer some thought.
"What it amounts to," says coach Colestock with a tinge of resignation in his voice, is that Carina is winding down the tennis and looking forward to her first footprints in the business world."
Which brings us to an observation from this serious-minded young lady who is loyal to her supporters, her university, and herself.
"It is true I learned a great deal of knowledge at Northwood University, but more importantly, the University provided me with a structure of moral and ethical understanding that has influenced my values and helped me make difficult decisions."
Now, what university president wouldn't want that kind of endorsement? And what fans wouldn't cheer the21-year-old star who they know is going to bring it all when she steps on the court?
And what parents wouldn't be proud of a daughter whose intellect is being tempered by these considerations?
Let's meet at the Midland Community Tennis Center at qualifying time and let's crowd the court where Carina Kaempfer plays her first round match.
And let's give it up for the Northwood Kid who turned out to be a role model for every parents' child.
Whether or not she ever hits another ball, Carina Kaempfer, who wants to make us proud of the tennis, has already made us proud her.
Seeding For This Years' Challenge
Stephanie Dubois, the number one ranked girl's 16 player in Canada with a WTA ranking of 625 is the top seed for the Wild Card Challenge January 17-18-19 at the Midland Community Tennis Center.
The winner receives a wild card into the 15th annual $75,000 Dow Corning/USTA Women's Challenger February 2-9, while the runner-up gets a wild card to the Challenger Qualifier February 2-4.
Offered for the first time, the Wild Card Challenge provides pros and amateurs as well as college and high school players with the opportunity to match their court skills for a shot at the tour professionals.
Seeded No. 2 is Kristy Dascoli of Columbus, Ohio, with a WTA ranking of673 while the third seed went to Jessica Kirkland of Dayton, Ohio, 1093 in the WTA and No. 5 nationally in the Girl's 18 Division. The fourth seed is Theresa Logar, Rochester Hills, Michigan, ranked number four in the USTA.
Providing local flavor is Monica Rincon of Flint, former Ohio State University star and collegiate doubles All-American with partner Dascoli.
Seven states are represented in the draw with players from points as distant as Texas and Washington. Six of the entrants have Ohio State connections while the youngest hopeful Andrea Remynse of Battle Creek, Michigan, is 14 and ranked 25 nationally in the girls 18's and under.
Play begins Friday evening at 6 p.m. Matches are free and the public is welcome. Tournament Director is Mike Woody of the MCTC.
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O. J. Cunningham |
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