Defending champs Weich & Norris run through Medicine Hat Open field

Using a strong forehand, Norris was able to win back-to-back sets by 6-2 scores to win the sixth Medicine Hat Open title of her career.

“Everyone keeps getting better and improving,” said Norris. “I always look forward to playing Xiaojiang, we always have really good rallies and matches. So, it was nice to play her in the final.”

Sunday’s win was the continuation of a successful comeback campaign for Norris, who had stepped away from singles tennis and only returned to the court in the singles division two years ago.

Since then, Norris has won back-to-back Medicine Hat Open singles titles, two straight Barrie Shave Memorial Classic finals with her mother Linda, and a 2018 City Singles women’s championship.

“It’s reassuring obviously to win,” said Norris. “It’s just fun, you can only rely on yourself. Trying to build some new skills and continue improving since when I played when I was younger, adding a few different shots in there.”

Sunday’s victory was bittersweet for Norris however, as it was the last time for the foreseeable future that she will square off against Dai.

Following Sunday’s gold medal match, it was announced that Dai would be stepping away from competitive tennis for at least the next few years.

Norris said Dai’s impact on the club has been sizable to say the least and will miss serving against her in future singles events.

“We’re going to miss her a lot,” she said. “She is one of the big competitors in singles, so we’ll be waiting for her to come back and get right back in there. I’m sure she’ll pick up where she left off.”

It was another repeat winner on the men’s side as well, with top-seed Raymond Weich taking down Calvin Heller for the second consecutive year by a 6-4, 6-0 score.

In a match that lasted less than an hour and 15 minutes, Weich said he was able to get the upper hand following a back-and-forth opening set.

“We had a close first set there, Cal played really well,” said Weich. “I had to get my stuff together there and then I got on a roll, had the momentum, and kept rolling with it in the second set.”

Weich however gave credit to his opponent, who had just come off a marathon three-set tilt in the men’s doubles division minutes before.

“Cal’s a great player, he’s an absolute battler,” he said. “He just played three sets and then he was really to battle straight away. So, it’s awesome playing these guys, it makes me want to play more out there.”

A former university competitor with the Cardinal Stritch Wolves in Wisconsin, Weich is now based in California attending chiropractic school at Los Angeles City College.

The only two local tennis events he’s been able to play in over the last two years has been the Medicine Hat Open, which Weich has now won in consecutive years.

Weich said it’s a blast coming back to the community and tennis courts where he first learned how to swing a racquet.

“This court has got some serious history,” he said. “I love playing here, so it’s been a lot of fun. Growing up here, I mean these are great courts, great club, and awesome people too.”

Peter O’Driscoll was the top dog in the men’s singles consolation bracket, defeating Jess Ferris 7-5, 6-2.

As for the women’s singles consolation championship, that was won by Dawn Olson after Brooke Pfeifer retired from play.

Weich was a two-time winner over the weekend, as he took home the men’s doubles championship along with his father Craig 6-2, 6-2 over Sydney Ebio and Brent Meyer.

The consolation championship in men’s doubles was earned by Riley Danroth and Doug Thomas, who defeated Ryusuke Harada and Jason Petrick in a marathon scored 7-6, 3-6, 6-3.

Adding onto their title at the Barry Shave Memorial Classic, Kristen and Linda Norris were also victorious in the women’s doubles final 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 against Kassie and Libby Bourassa.

Emilee Jackson and Rocheal Howes came back from an early deficit in the women’s doubles consolation bracket to beat Sheila Reinheller and Roberta Wenzel 3-6, 6-3, 7-6.

Top-seed David Schnare was tops in the men’s intermediate singles 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 over Mike Dykstra, while Ron Fisher won the consolation side with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory against Lydell Wenzel.

The local tennis season wraps up early next month, as the Medicine Hat Open Mixed Doubles tournament runs September 5 and 6 at the Medicine Hat Tennis Club.

by Scott Roblin

Defending champs Weich & Norris run through Medicine Hat Open field

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