Fountain Hill’s former high school tennis coaches, Larry Schmit and Jean Serrano, represented the community and the state of Arizona along with their doubles partners, Betty Schmit and Lori Jackson, at the Senior Olympics in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in singles and doubles competitions.

Because of the unexpected increase of participants – the largest in Senior Olympics history and 200 additional tennis competitors – the format for the event was changed from two sets to Pro-8 to ensure all scheduled competitions could be completed in a timely fashion. The increased elevation, gusty winds and high altitude balls made it even more difficult for visiting players to adjust to.

Betty and Larry competed in the 75-79 bracket and said they would like to thank members of the “Fountain Hills Tennis Gang” for all their assistance in preparing for this event by playing against them in doubles. Some of the gang also helped run drills to prepare them for their matches. The Tennis Gang plays at Golden Eagle Tennis Courts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The Schmit daughters, Jean Serrano and Loraine Jackson, competed in a 55-year-old bracket. The duo advanced to the consolation bracket before being knocked out of the tournament.

Serrano said it was a wonderful experience and all are looking forward to competing again in two years at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.