(*this story takes information from
KSNT - Kansas)
Watch the KSNT StoryThe North American Indian Tennis Association (NAITA) hosted its annual national championship tournament, May 22-24 at Kossover Tennis Center in Topeka, Kan. This event was the largest annual gathering of Native American tennis players in the United States, and a unique celebration of Indian culture and tennis.
Open to all Native Americans with at least 1/4 degree Tribal affiliation, this event, now in its 34th year, is the de facto annual Native American tennis championships, as well as the chance for participants to fellowship with other Native tennis players. Held for more than three decades in different cities across the United States, this tournament is steeped with Native traditions and brings in a wide variance of tribes. "We have so many friends that come back to this tournament every year to compete and have fellowship," Margaret Knight, tennis competitor, said. "It's just a great event and we really enjoy having it in Topeka."It's the largest gathering of Native American tennis players in the United States. The tournament showcases Native American tribal tradition and culture.
"I
've missed one tournament in the last 27 years and that was because of a child birth," Jerry Bales, from Tulsa, Okla., said. "It's something that we focus around every year for vacation for my children and my family, so we always look forward to coming to these tournaments."
Players from Anadarko, Oklahoma walked away with nine titles at the championships:
- Bruce Maytubby Sr.: 1st Men's singles 50 and older and 1st Mens open singles
- Jered Sullivan and Josh Sullivan: 1st Mens open doubles
- Bruce Maytubby Jr. and Lexie Maytubby: 1st mixed doubles
- Thea Lonewolf: 1st Women's open singles
- Lexie Maytubby: 1st Girls 16 singles
- Lexie Maytubby and Thea Lonewolf: 1st Womens open doubles
- Bruce Maytubby Jr.:Awarded the Max Factor Sportsmanship Award
Next year the tournament shifts to Albuquerque, N.M. Tournament Results (Champions and Tribal Affiliation):
Men’s Open – Bruce Maytubby - Chickasaw
Men’s Open Doubles – Josh and Jered Sullivan - Kiowa
Mixed Open Doubles – Bruce Maytubby and Lexie Maytubby – Chickasaw
Men’s Intermediate Doubles – Thomas and David Nieto - Santo Domingo
Men’s Intemediate Singles – Edgar Homer - Chickasaw
Men’s 35 & Over – Craig Pasqua Pitt River Modoc – Cherokee
Men’s 45 & Over – Edgar Homer – Chickasaw
Men’s 55 & Over – Bruce Maytubby Sr. – Chickasaw
Men’s 60 & Over – Edgar Homer – Chickasaw
Women’s Open – Thea Lonewolf – Kiowa
Women’s Doubles Open – Lexie Maytubby , Chickasaw and Thea Lonewolf – Kiowa
Women’s 55 & Over – Margaret Knight Laguna – Pueblo
Women’s 60 & Over – Marie Fleming – Pima
Mixed Intermediate Doubles – Jerry Bales, Creek and Carleen Barrett – Creek
Boy’s 18 & Under Singles – Chris Byford – Seminole
Boy’s 18 & Under Doubles – Chris Byford, Seminole and David Nieto – Santo Domingo
Boy’s 14 & Under Doubles – David Roberts, Creek and Jonathon Madrid – Creek
Girl’s 16 & Under Doubles – Kayla Bales, Creek and Jennifer Quamina – Pima
Girl’s 16 & Under Singles – Kristen Canady – Creek
Girl’s 18 & Under Singles – Jennifer Quamina – Pima