Fairbanks Youth Bring Home the Table Tennis Trophy

Thirteen Alaskans ventured over to Whitehorse for the 8^th Annual International Alaska-Yukon Challenge Table Tennis Tournament held June 5^th and 6^th in Whitehorse, Yukon. Eleven of those players represented the Fairbanks Interior Table Tennis club: Diann Darnall, Terry Slocum, Rick Robertson, Jamo Parrish, Doron Partyka, Jane Parrish, Carol Johnson, Aporn Stein, Eric Partyka, Nathan Barring, and Eva Partyka. Herb and Erin Sivitz from Anchorage also joined the Alaskan Team.

The uniqueness of this tournament is that the higher rated players start with a 1-point handicap for every 50 points difference in individual rating. In theory, it is to equalize the experience of the players making it possible for either individual or team to be victorious. While the system is not perfect, neither is table tennis as often a match is determined from a net or edge ball. However, it is challenging and fun, which is what keeps this tournament going.

The Alaskan best finish was the team of Nathan Barring and Eric Partyka of Fairbanks. Nathan and Eric went undefeated in their three round robin matches to move into the semi-finals against Aporn Stein and Carol Johnson of Fairbanks. The first match of the Tie is a Doubles Match best 3 of 5 games. Nathan and Eric slid by the tough challenge by Aporn and Carol with a 3-2 win. The next two matches were singles with Aporn defeating Eric 2-1 and Nathan winning 2-0 against Carol. Nathan and Eric won the Tie 2-1 which moved them into the finals.

In the final Tie for the Championship and Traveling Trophy, the Fairbanks team took on the undefeated boys from Dawson City, Sam Crocker and Ethan Gaw. Eric and Nathan won the doubles match 3-1. Sam defeated Eric 2-0; while Nathan won his match 2-0 to capture the Tie and the Novice Championship.

Results:

Open Singles: 1st Nick Carriere (Whitehorse), 2nd Myrna Bruns (Whse), 3rds Terry Slocum (Fairbanks) & Kevin Murphy (Whse).

Novice Singles: 1st Arcel Siosan (Whse); 2nd Sam Crocker (Dawson City); 3rds Eric Partyka & Nathan Baring (Fairbanks)

Open Team: 1st Daniel Li & Mark Preston (Whse); 2nd Terry Slocum & Diann Darnall (Fairbanks); 3rds Ryan Bachli & Myrna Bruns (Whse) and Jamo Parrish & Rick Robertson (Fairbanks)

Novice Team: 1st Eric Partyka & Nathan Baring (Fairbanks); 2nd Ethan Gaw & Sam Crocker (Dawson City); 3rds Ashley Harris & Grace-Anne Janssen (Whse) and Aporn Stein & Carol Johnson (Fairbanks)

Diann Darnall of Fairbanks Interior Table Tennis Club presented the Jerry Smith Spirit of the Game Award for sportsmanship, fair play and love of the game to Myrna Bruns of Whitehorse.

Next year the 2016 Alaska-Yukon Challenge will be hosted by Anchorage.