(story, results and notes)
Adam Brown finds the winner's circle again
By Michael Wetzel
A short time later, Brown used that paddle as if it was a loaded gun.
The
poker-faced
righty
outdueled
every opponent in his way to win the state singles championship. It was his
second visit to the state pinnacle.
His
first came in 1999 when he won it as an 18-year-old, the youngest
"I knew David (Landry, 17) was gunning to be the youngest winner. But winning
it myself was one way to ensure that record stands for at least another year,"
the 23-year-old
Punching his backhand and looping his forehand, Brown rarely misfired. He
met the top-seeded Landry in the finals. But it was no contest. Brown attacked
first and kept the youngster in the crosshairs all match. It was Brown winning
5, 8, 8, 8.
In the semis, Brown whipped first-time semifinalist Tommie Dailey 3-0, while
Landry was overcoming
an
0-2 deficit to nip perennial semifinalist Terry Hamilton 3-2. Brown won $120,
Landry $60, and
With the state championships
outside
of
in 20 years, the new location didn't change one trend. Ernesto Kawamoto won
his record seventh championship doubles title. Kawamoto and Landry breezed
into the finals before nearly being derailed by Brown and his dad, Homer.
After trailing 2-1 in games, Kawamoto and Landry, both of
back to win 4-2. It marked the first time Kawamoto won back-to-back state
titles with the same partner.
With a well-lit, air-conditioned gym full of 10 new Butterfly and
Stiga
tables, the Anniston Army Depot went the extra mile to welcome the 54 players.
All players received free shirts, pizza, fruit and soft drinks. At the opening
ceremonies, the crowd was treated to a superb
acappella
of the National Anthem by Thelma
McCollough
of the Anniston Army Depot.
"I believe table tennis is growing by leaps and bounds in this area," said Jim
Webb, director for Community and Family Activities at the Depot. "Anniston Army
Depot was truly privileged to host such a prestigious event. We hope we are
included in future tournaments."
Tournament committee: Michael Wetzel, director; Carol
Mitrisin, Jim Webb,
Joe
Gormly, Mike
Garris,
Charles
Patton, Eddie Landry and Bob
Bowlander.
Results:
Championship singles: Adam Brown
df. David Landry 4-0; Semis: Brown
df
. Tommie Dailey 3-0; Landry
df
. Terry Hamilton 3-2.
Championship doubles: Ernesto Kawamoto/David Landry
df
. Adam Brown/Homer
Brown 4-2; Semis: Kawamoto/Landry
df
. Chip Patton/Michael Wetzel; Brown/Brown
df
. Warren McNeil/Chuck Outlaw.
Class A singles: Johnny Billy
df
. Warren McNeil 4-1; Semis: Billy
df
. Patrick Sullivan; McNeil
df
.
Kui
Zhang.
Class B:
Finley
df. Danny
Crowson.
Class C: Charles Israel
df
. Adam Hammonds 3-0; Semis:
A. Hammonds
df. Hunter Hammonds.
Class A doubles: Charles Israel/Mike
Garris
df
.
Elite singles: Ernesto Kawamoto
df
.
Tommie Dailey 3-0; third place,
Warren
McNeil; fourth, Cristian Draghici.
Seniors: Bill Mobley
df
. Chip Patton 3-1; Semis: Mobley
df
. Warren McNeil
3-2; Patton
df
.
Cristian
Draghici
3-2.
Juniors: David Landry
df
. Adam Hammonds 3-0; third-fourth:
Rahul
Goli, Hunter Hammonds.
Women: Tammy Landry
df
.
Elisha
Harrison 3-0.
Sponsors:
Notes:
-The 54 tournament players
was one short of the state record 55 set in 2003.
-Michael Wetzel
competed in his record 25th consecutive state championships.
Tommie Dailey
competed in his 19th consecutive.
-Ernesto Kawamoto has played doubles in
seven state championships, winning
first place each time. His partners have
been Don Gaither 1995, 1997; Adam
Brown 2000; Leo Kawamoto 2001; Michael Wetzel 2002; David Landry 2003, 2004.
Warren
McNeil owns five doubles titles with three different partners (Keith
LaFrance, Rafael Zambrano and Mark
Miller).
-Speaking of records, David Landry won his record fourth juniors
title in five years.
-In the only two
-The past two state champions missed this year's tournament.
2003 champion
Dr. Jiang
Gu
is in
Kaydia
Loraine.