SOYUZIVKA SPORTS ROUND-UP: Dennis Chorny takes men's title at 1999 USCAK national tennis tournament (09/26/99)

SOYUZIVKA SPORTS ROUND-UP

Dennis Chorny takes men's title at 1999 USCAK national tennis tournament

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - Dennis Chorny was probably the only tennis player on the East Coast who was aided and abetted by Hurricane Dennis. Rains brought by clouds left over from that hurricane dampened the courts at Soyuzivka on Sunday afternoon, September 5, interrupting play in three seniors' group and canceling the men's final match.

Though originally scheduled to be held Monday morning, Labor Day, tournament organizers attempted to hold the finals of all events on Sunday due to forecasts of rain.

But the temperamental Dennis took a swing northward and gave finalists one night's rest - something especially needed by Mr. Chorny after his difficult semi-final match against Dr. George Charuk. And so, on Monday, in sunny but humid conditions, the 1999 national tennis championships, held annually at the Ukrainian National Association's Soyuzivka resort, were successfully concluded.

Sixty athletes competed in eight divisions in the 44th tennis championships of the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada (USCAK) organized by the Carpathian Ski Club (KLK). Winners received trophies funded by the UNA and stipends from Winner Ford, an automobile dealership owned by Delaware John Hynansky.

The tourney was conducted by a committee comprising George Sawchak, Roman Rakoczy Sr., George Popel, George Hrabec and Zenon Snylyk. This year's event was dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Carpathian Ski Club and the 50th anniversaries of both the Chornomorska Sitch Ukrainian Athletic-Educational Association and the Tryzub Ukrainian American Sports Center.

In the men's division, Mr. Chorny defeated last year's co-champion, Will Ritter, in two sets, 6-4, 6-2. In the semis, Mr. Chorny eliminated Dr. Charuk 6-4, 6-4, while Mr. Ritter did likewise to a two-time champion in this group, George Glowa, 6-3, 6-3. Not even the "unlucky" number 13 could stop Mr. Chorny, who earned his first men's title 13 years ago.

Lesia Bilak, who hails from Uzhhorod, but today is a high school teacher in New Jersey, won the women's title for the fifth year in a row. As she did last year, she defeated Ann Marie Shumsky in the semi-final by the score of 6-0, 6-0.

In the finals of the youngest group of senior men (age 35 and up), Steve Sosiak emerged victorious over Dr. Oleh Zaputowych with a score of 6-4, 6-1. In the semis Mr. Sosiak defeated George Walchuk 6-1, 7-5, while Dr. Zaputowych ousted Oleh Kuchma 6-1, 7-6 (7-4).

Dr. Jaroslaw Sydorak retained his title among seniors age 45 and up by winning the final against Roman Shumsky 6-2, 6-2. In the semifinals Dr. Sydorak defeated Mr. Walchuk 6-0, 6-2, while Mr. Shumsky beat last year's co-champion, George Petrykewych, 6-4, 6-3.

Mr. Sawchak was the winner among senior men age 55 and up, winning his final match against Mr. Hrabec by a score of 6-2, 7-6 (7-1). It should be noted that among the athletes in this group, competing after a long absence was Dr. Lew Kamenecky of California. Having won the first set of his semi-final game against Mr. Hrabec, Dr. Kamenecky was forced to withdraw due to a contusion. Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, Mr. Sawchak won over fellow Tryzub member Alex Olynec 6-2, 6-2.

What neither Ms. nor Mr. Shumsky could attain was achieved by their children, Barbara and Steven, in their respective youth divisions. For the third straight year Barbara Shumsky emerged as the champion among girls 16 and under. This year she defeated Larissa Szczuplak 6-0, 6-0.

Barbara's younger brother, Steven, succeeded in defending his title as champion among boys age 14 and under by winning against Taras Grosh 6-3, 6-0.

In the boys' under 18 division two 15-year-olds from Ukraine vied for the title. Orest Mostyuk emerged victorious over Hordiy Milchutskey 6-1, 6-3. The two youths are participating quite successfully in numerous American tournaments. At Soyuzivka they competed also in the men's division, winning their respective matches in the first round. In their age group, Mr. Mostyuk defeated Damian Zayac 6-0, 6-0, while Mr. Milchutskey eliminated Victor Sulzynsky 6-1, 6-1.

The official opening ceremonies for both the tennis and swimming championships took place on the Soyuzivka courts on Saturday morning, September 4. Brief addresses were delivered by Mr. Rakoczy, speaking on behalf of the sports events' organizers; Myron Stebelsky, president of USFK; and Ulana Diachuk, president of the Ukrainian National Association.

The closing ceremonies of the tennis tournament were held on Sunday evening, due to the inclement weather. Trophies and stipends were presented in those division that had completed their competitions. Stipends were awarded as follows: men - $800 for champions, $400 for runners-up and $200 for defeated semi-finalists; women - $600 and $300 - youths, $100 and $50.

Closing remarks were offered by Mrs. Diachuk, Mr. Popel, KLK president, and Mr. Snylyk of the tournament committee.

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