The fifth day of the 2022 Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships welcomed in more Pros for an exciting day of doubles competition with the Women’s Split Pro Age and Men’s Split Pro Age brackets!
Anna Bright and Beth Bellamy teamed up to win each of their second gold medals at this year’s Nationals, with Bright earning her second gold in two straight nights after claiming a title yesterday with partner Dave Weinbach.
Bright and Bellamy, sporting matching outfits as a Women’s Split Pro Age duo, came out on top against Eva Welsher and Callie Smith in an intense three-game match (9-11,11-2,11-9) on Championship Court.
With Welsher and Smith securing silver, Kim Jagd, a Coachella Valley native and former beach and indoor volleyball standout, and Megan Fudge took home bronze as they played well after rebounding from one loss to Bright and Bellamy.
On the Men’s Split Pro Age side, Dayne Gingrich and Dekel Bar battled against Mircea Morariu and James Ignatowich in the gold medal match after Morariu and Ignatowich prevailed against Weinbach and Wesley Gabrielsen, an 11-time national champion who will be inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame this week in Palm Springs.
Gingrich and Bar took home the title with an 11-7, 11-7 win against Morariu and Ignatowich. This is Gingrich’s third medal, having won gold in Senior Pro Men’s Doubles with Weinbach and silver in Senior Pro Mixed Doubles with Jennifer Dawson.
Amateur competition was hot today with a diverse range of players competing in Women’s Skill/Age Singles 19+, 35+ and Mixed Skill/Age Doubles 50+, 55+. 60+ (4.0).
On Tap for Tomorrow: Thursday, November 10th
The top Pros are in full force tomorrow, with Men’s Singles Pro (Played Through Bronze) and Women’s Singles Pro (Played Through Bronze) in action for Day 6. On the amateur side, Nationals will welcome Mixed Skill/Age Doubles 50+, 55+, 60+ (4.5 and 5.0) and Men’s Skill/Age Singles 19+, 35+.
Where to Watch:
Event Website / For The Fans / Selkirk TV: 11am – 6pm
ESPN+: 3pm – 6pm
