SOYUZIVKA SPORTS ROUND-UP: Samets and Bilak win titles at USCAK tennis nationals (09/24/00)

SOYUZIVKA SPORTS ROUND-UP

Samets and Bilak win titles at USCAK tennis nationals

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - There is no doubt that integrating members of what has come to be called the "Fourth Wave" of immigrants from Ukraine into Ukrainian diaspora communities is a goal toward which many organizations are striving. One field in which this integration is already occurring is sports - as seen at the recent Ukrainian Diaspora Olympiad, where many of the athletes were newcomers from Ukraine.

In the world of Ukrainian tennis, the trailblazer was Lesia Bilak, a native of Uzhhorod who arrived in the United States seven years ago to pursue her studies. In her first appearance on the courts at Soyuzivka at the national championships of the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada (USCAK) she won the women's title. Ms. Bilak continues to dominate the group today as seen at the USCAK championship held September 2-4 at the Ukrainian National Association's Soyuzivka resort.

Ms. Bilak's success was mirrored in the men's division this year by Andriy Samets, who in his first matches at Soyuzivka took the men's title by defeating the 1999 champion, Dennis Chorny, by a score of 6-4, 6-4.

On his way to the finals, Mr. Samets defeated Will Ritter in the quarterfinal, 6-2, 6-1, and Dr. George Charuk in the semifinal, 6-2, 6-4.

Mr. Samets, who turns 30 this month, arrived in the United Sates last year after living in Poland and Germany. He currently works as a professional instructor at a private tennis club in Shrewsbury, N.J.

To make it to the final Mr. Chorny had to eliminate Andrew Charchalis in the quarterfinal by twin scores of 6-1, and Andriy Salak, 18, the top-ranking player in Connecticut, 6-3, 6-4.

In the women's division, for the third year in a row Ms. Bilak defeated Anne-Marie Shumsky, by a score of 6-2, 6-1. In the semis, Ms. Bilak eliminated Ania Kutko 6-1, 6-1, while in the Ms. Shumsky ousted Luba Wojnow 6-0, 6-1.

In the senior men's group of players over age 35, Dr. Charuk earned the title with his victory over Adrian Kutko, 6-2, 6-3. Thereafter Mr. Kutko emerged as the winner in the men's consolation round.

Ivan Durbak, a former USCAK men's champion, was welcomed back to the courts by his tennis colleagues after a 20-year absence. This time Mr. Durbak played among senior men over age 45, and made it to the final, where in third set (with the score at 1-4 and 0-40) he lost to the 1999 champ, Dr. Jaroslaw Sydorak. In the semifinals Dr. Sydorak defeated George Petrykewych 6-1, 6-2, while Mr. Durbak beat Roman Shumsky 6-3, 6-2.

In the division of senior men over age 55, George Sawchak succeeded in defending his title by defeating Mr. Petrykewych 5-7, 6-3, 6-0. In the semis, Mr. Sawchak eliminated his longtime clubmate Alexander Olynec 6-0, 6-4, while Mr. Petrykewych defeated George Hrabec 6-4, 6-1.

Only two tennis players registered to compete in the category of boys 18 and under. A recent arrival from Ukraine, Gordy Milchutsky, emerged the winner over Damian Zajac, 6-2, 6-1, thus retaining his title in that group.

The same situation arose among boys 14 and under, where first place was once again earned by Steve Shumsky, who defeated Danylo Walchuk in two sets of 6-0 scores.

Five youths competed in the combined groups of boys.

Among older girls Barbara Shumsky mirrored her brother's win by defeating Alia Kachala, while in the younger girls category, where three players competed, Marianna Milchutsky earned first place and Zirka Markewycz took second.

Finally, in the older senior men's group, Jaroslaw Tymkiw took home the championship trophy by defeating Bohdan Kutko 6-0, 6-2, as well as the Mary Dushnyck Sportsmanship Trophy.

As in the past, this year's 45th USCAK tennis championship was organized by the Carpathian Ski Club (KLK), trophies were funded by the Ukrainian National Association and cash stipends were provided by Winner Ford, owned by Ukrainian philanthropist John Hynansky.

The stipends were awarded as follows: men - $800 for first-place winners, $400 for second-place finishers and $200 for semifinalists; women- $600 and $300; youths - $200 and $100.

The tournament was conducted by a committee composed of Mr. Sawchak, Zenon Snylyk, Roman Rakoczy Sr., George Popel and Mr. Hrabec.

The tennis tourney and the USCAK swimming championships also held over the Labor Day weekend were officially opened with a ceremony on the Soyuzivka courts. Athletes were addressed by UNA President Ulana Diachuk and USCAK Vice-President Irenaeus Isajiw. Mr. Rakoczy announced his retirement after 45 years of service on the tournament committee, including positions as chief judge and tournament director. However, he added that he would always be available for consultation. His tennis colleagues rewarded him with a well-deserved round of applause befitting a pioneer of Ukrainian tennis in North America.

Once all final matches had been played, an awards ceremony took place with Mrs. Diachuk, and Messrs. Sawchak, Popel and Snylyk offering brief remarks. The three-day event concluded with the lowering of the U.S., Canadian and American flags.

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