Charuk is men's champion at USCAK tennis nationals at Soyuzivka (09/28/03)

Charuk is men's champion at USCAK tennis nationals at Soyuzivka

by Petrusia Sawchak

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - No Labor Day weekend would be complete without the traditional national tennis tournament of the Ukrainian Sports Federation of U.S.A. and Canada (USCAK) held at Soyuzivka, the Ukrainian National Association estate. The magic of the Shawangunk Mountains that surround Soyuzivka kept the rains away until Monday, while torrential downpours inundated the East Coast for much of the three days. As a result, all the matches were held on the six courts of Soyuzivka with the exception of the men's and senoir men's finals which were held nearby at Nevele, a resort with indoor facilities.

During the opening ceremonies on Saturday UNA treasurer, Roma Lisovich, officially opened the tennis event. Brief addresses were also delivered by Myron Stebelsky, USCAK's president, Roman Rakoczy, honorary member, and George Popel representing the host club, the Carpathian Ski Club (KLK). George Sawchak, tennis tournament director, assisted by Mr. Popel, and George Hrabec, conducted the tourney.

As in previous years, John Hynansky, entrepreneur, philanthropist and owner of the Winner Group from Wilmington, Del., sponsored the financial stipends for the men's, women's and junior groups in the amount of $3,500. Mr. Hynansky's generosity does much to attract top Ukrainian tennis players to Soyuzivka. The winner group represents 24 companies, 12 of which are auto dealerships in Delaware and Pennsylvania plus a few in Ukraine. Since the tournament's inception in 1956, the Ukrainian National Association has also sponsored the tournament by providing the trophy awards.

The men's final was absolutely phenomenal. Playing indoors due to inclement weather Dr. George Charuk of Chicago defeated 19-year-old Gordie Milchutske of Holmdel, N.J., 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in a fast-moving, powerful game. The score reflects how strongly contested the match was with the spectators hanging on each point. Charuk, a junior champion for many years, and veteran player in the men's and men's age 35 and up, said, "I finally did it!" after winning his first men's final this year. He was awarded a UNA trophy and a handsome stipend from Winner Ford.

Milchutske, who arrived in the United States in 1991 from Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, attends Rutgers University, plays collegiate tennis and is improving his game each year. In getting to the finals he toppled some very strong players with his consistent play. He was also awarded the coveted Mary Dushnyck Sportsmanship Trophy, along with the UNA award and stipend.

In the semis, Charuk won another long three-setter from Mark Krasij, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, and Milchutske advanced by beating Mark Oryskevich, last year's champion, 6-3, 6-0. Another outstanding match was between Krasij and Dennis Chorny, former champion, with Krasij winning 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

Gordie's sister, 14-year-old Maryana Milchutske, last year's girls' winner, won the women's final against Ann Marie Shumsky, last year's champion, 6-2, 6-3. In the semis Milchutske eliminated Svetlana Polischuk 6-0, 6-0, and Shumsky beat Laryssa Hrabec 6-0, 6-1. Hrabec took third place in the division with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Polischuk.

The final in the men's age 45 and over group was a repeat classic battle between two former champions, Ivan Durbak of New Jersey and Dr. Jaroslaw Sydorak of California, with Durbak emerging victorious 8-4 (pro set) in an indoor facility due to the rainy weather on Monday. They played a pro set because Sydorak was a finalist in both the men's age 45 and age 55 matches.

In the semifinals Durbak outlasted Albert Kolb 6-7, 6-0, 6-2, while Sydorak defeated Oleh Bohachevsky 6-3, 6-2.

There were two great quarterfinal matches in the group, Kolb's win over Leo Worobrevych from Detroit, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 and Sydorak's match over Roman Schumsky 5-7, 6-1, 6-3.

Sydorak won in the men's age 55 and up group against George Petrykevych, also with a score of 8-4 (pro set). In the semifinals Sydorak won over Hrabec 7-5, 6-2, and Petrykevych advanced to the finals when George Sawchak retired due to injury.

There were no players this year in the age 35 and up divisions, of men or women.

There were two age groups in both junior girls' and boys' divisions, with some players competing in two age groups. Maryana Milchutske, the women's winner, also won the first girls' group overcoming Rinata Rikshpon 6-0, 6-0. Thirteen-year-old Deanna Buhaj won the round robin in the second girls' group.

Mykola Stroynik was the champion in the boys' first division, winning the finals over his friend Roman Kostyk 6-3, 6-1. In the second group finals Damian Petrykevych defeated Evhen Kolb 6-2, 6-1.

There were some close matches in other rounds of the junior divisions: Eugene Kolb's 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 quarterfinal win over Danylo Walchuk; Roman Kostyk's same round win over Damian Petrykevych, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6; Deanna Buhaj's marathon 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 win over Tanya Petrykevych; and Petrykevych's win over Laryssa Lukiw 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Bohdan Kutko and George Walchuk advanced to the senior consolation finals and were declared co-champions due to the fact that they did not play the deciding game because of inclement weather.

The brief closing ceremonies were held in the Main House of Soyuzivka on Monday due to the poor weather conditions. Players in the women's and junior divisions received their trophies and stipends from Winner Ford.

In addition, special awards were presented to the winners of various groups: Bohdan Rak Trophy, Dr. Wolodymyr Huk Trophy, Jaroslaw Rubel Trophy, Constantyn Ben Trophy, and the Dr. Petro Charuk Trophy.

Three matches were still to be played at the indoor courts at Nevele: the men's, men's age 45 and men's age 55. The winners were given their awards and congratulated by the tennis committee and the few spectators who were fortunate to see these matches.

Photos in this series by Marusia and Ivan Durbak, and Petrusia and George Sawchak.

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