The Athens Alabama Pickleball Association hosted the 2nd Annual Picklefest Pickleball Tournament last weekend, Sept. 22-24, at the Athens Sportsplex. The three-day event welcomed more than 230 players from five different states.

The Athens Alabama Pickleball Association presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to assist with future expenses in helping build the community’s pickleball program.

“That little small group of people, it started with about 20 people, is now about 200 or more,” Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks said. “It’s a great program and it’s one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.”

According to the 2023 Picklefest Chair Jennifer Bridges, the Athens Alabama Pickleball Association has grown to around 300 members and they are excited about introducing more to the sport of pickleball.

“We believe we are improving health in the community with pickleball. Everyone has their own story about what pickleball means to them. The ages that go with us go from teens to 80 years old,” Bridges said.

Bridges hopes to grow visibility to the sport in Athens-Limestone. The AAPA hosts open play where newcomers can come use the association’s equipment — including balls and paddles — and learn the game.

For more information on dates and times of open play, visit Athens Alabama Pickleball Association on Facebook.

AAPA Picklefest Pickleball Tournament gold medalists

Men’s singles (4.0 and older) (19 to 100)- Matthew Teichmiller

Men’s singles (3.5 and younger) (50 to 100)- Steve Hanson

Men’s singles (3.5 and younger) (19 to 49)- Trace Lentz

Men’s singles (3.0 and younger) (50 to 100)- Greg Wigley

Men’s singles (3.0 and younger) (19 to 49)- Dave Thomas

Men’s doubles (4.0 and older) (35 and older)- Chase Spitzer and Josh Abernathy

Men’s doubles (4.0 and older) (19 to 34)- Daniel Copeland and John Siota

Men’s doubles (3.5 and younger) (50 and older)- Darren Fields and Tony Fogg

Men’s doubles (3.5 and younger) (34 to 49)- Matthew Teichmiller and Christopher Gil

Men’s doubles (3.5 and younger) (19 to 33)- Hunter Cox and John Loftus

Men’s doubles (3.0 and younger) (60 and older)- Allen Rice and Jack Burleson

Men’s doubles (3.0 and younger) (50 to 59)- Gary Blevins and Greg Wigley

Men’s doubles (3.0 and younger) (32 to 49)- Jon Weathers and Dave Thomas

Men’s doubles (3.0 and younger) (19 to 31)- Nahum Jeronimo and Xzander Atkins

Women’s singles (3.5 and older) (19 and older)- Carrie Blair

Women’s singles (2.5 to 3.0) (19 and older)- Tori Norris

Woman’s doubles (4.0 and older) (19 and older)- Trista Niemann and Sylvia Lambert

Women’s doubles (3.5 and younger) (19 and older)- Blair Johnson and Christy Shelnutt

Woman’s doubles (3.0 and younger) (51 and older)- Rhonda Weatherford and Jennifer Bridges

Women’s doubles (3.0 and younger) (19 to 50)- Melissa Huie and Sonja Gillespie

Women’s doubles (2.5 and younger) (19 and older)- Lisa Thomas and Marsha Lawson

Mixed doubles (4.0 and older) (50 and older)- Kenda West and Rick Knapp

Mixed doubles (4.0 and older) (19 to 49)- Amy Johnson and Isaac Rodriguez

Mixed doubles (3.5 and younger) (52 and older)- Barbara Mooney and Michael Goldston

Mixed doubles (3.5 and younger) (35-51)- April Davis and Chip Wallace

Mixed doubles (3.5 and younger) (17 to 35)- Chelsie Aaron and Dakota Aaron

Mixed doubles (3.0 and younger) (60 and older)- Bernice Parkhill and Ron Garcia

Mixed doubles (3.0 and younger) (52 to 59)- Pam Chambers and Jay LeMay

Mixed doubles (3.0 and younger) (34 to 51) – Robin Loftin and John Connolly

Mixed doubles (3.0 and younger) (19 to 33)- Alexis Hill and Bobby Peavler

Mixed doubles (2.5 and younger) (19 and over)- Susan Hanley and Robert Hanley