KERHONKSON, N.Y. – In the men’s division, Oleksandr Zavorotnyi, originally from Dnipropetrovsk (today known as Dnipro), Ukraine, and onetime captain of the Ukrainian National Team and coach, and Maryna Zhytska, a newcomer from Odesa, Ukraine, emerged as victors, respectively, in the men’s and women’s divisions of this year’s USCAK National Tennis Championships at Soyuzivka Ukrainian Heritage Center. The tournament was held during the beautiful Labor Day weekend on September 1-3.
This was only their second time at Soyuzivka, having been encouraged to participate by Yuri Kolb, USPTR [United States Professional Tennis Registry], a former national tennis coach of Ukraine. Absent from this year’s competition was last year’s co-champion Adrian Charchalis, who began college at Franklin and Marshall before Labor Day, and Marko Krasij, a former champion from Texas.
In the men’s group, champion Oleksandr Zavorotnyi (third from left) with (from left): Nick Nalywayko and Kase Schinnerer, semi-finalists); Mykola Stroynick, finalist; Ivan Durbak, USCAK Tennis Committee member; Roma Lisovich, UNA CFO/treasurer; and Yurko Sawchak, USCAK tennis director.
Since 1956, USCAK (the Ukrainian-based acronym for the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada) has been conducting this tournament at Soyuzivka.
It is sponsored by the Ukrainian National Association (UNA), a fraternal organization that has been serving the Ukrainian American community unyieldingly for nearly 125 years with life insurance, endowments and annuities, and also funds the trophies for the tournament.
Another sponsor, John Hynansky, the owner of Winner Automotive Group (DE) and Winner-Ukraine, with many companies in the U.S. and Ukraine, provides generous monetary stipends to the men’s, women’s, and junior groups. These stipends are what help attract talented players to the tournament. (Mr. Hynansky was inducted into the Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame at Tryzubivka in Horsham, Pa., on September 15 for his many contributions in promoting Ukrainian sports.)
Also a proud supporter of the tournament is Soyuzivka Ukrainian Heritage Center, which provides the tennis courts and other amenities. Special thanks were expressed to Soyuzivka Manager Nestor Paslawsky and Assistant Manager Stefko Drabyk.
Some of the participants of the 63rd USCAK Tennis Championships at Soyuzivka.
The opening ceremonies for both the swimming and tennis championships were held on Saturday, September 1, on the deck of the swimming pool. USCAK President Myron Bytz welcomed all the tennis players, swimmers and guests to this special event. He congratulated Ivan Durbak for being chosen for induction into the Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame for his many achievements and contributions to tennis. (Mr. Bytz also is being inducted into the Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame.)
After the American, Ukrainian and Canadian anthems were played, Mr. Bytz introduced Yurko Sawchak, USCAK tennis director; Taisa Bokalo, director of the swimming championships; and Roma Lisovich, UNA chief financial officer/treasurer, who wished everyone the best, thanked them for participation, and officially opened the championships. (Mr. Sawchak was inducted two years ago into the Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame when it was located at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey in Whippany.)
In the finals of the men’s group, Zavorotnyi defeated Mykola Stroynick, the three-time champion who competed against Marko Krasij many times, to become the winner of the group. In the semifinals Zavorotnyi defeated young Kase Schinnerer; and Stroynick overcame Nick Nalywayko, a veteran player. In the feed-in of the group, Steve Sosiak bested Paul DeVassal.
Holding the Mary Dushnyck Sportsmanship Trophy is Peter Goletz. Congratulating him (from left) are Yurko Sawchak, Roma Lisovich and Ivan Durbak.
In the women’s group Zhytska, beat Lesia Bilak Schinnerer, originally from Uzhhorod, Ukraine, now a resident of Pennsylvania. She was an USCAK winner many times and is now the mother of two sons, who also competed in the tournament. The women’s group was played in a round-robin format with Svetlana Goletz taking third place.
In the boys ’group, the two Schinnerer brothers, Kase and Erik, played each other with the older brother Kase taking first place.
In the girls’ group, Diana Kozenyatko took first place over Daria Gural. In the semifinals Diana defeated Natalka Voloshchak, and Daria overcame her sister Ivanna, who took third place.
Unfortunately, fewer juniors and college students played in the tournament due to the fact that schools begin classes earlier and many players compete on school teams.
The last groups of players – men age 45 and over, 55 and over and 65 and over, and seniors – are those who come year after year, never complain and play their best. Some of them compete in more than one group because they like the competition, which can be very challenging at times.
In the M45’s, Nalywayko beat Sosiak in a highly competitive match by winning a tiebreak in lieu of a third set. It was a great competition!
In the finals of the M55’s, Yaroslav Sydorak prevailed over George Walchuk, who retired due to a recurring hamstring injury after splitting the first two sets. In the semis Sydorak overcame Bohdan (Bo) Kucyna, and Walchuk beat George Petrykevych in three sets.
In the M65’s finals, Durbak beat George Petrykevych. In the semis, Durbak won over Walchuk, who retired, and Petrykevych overcame Sydorak in a highly competitive match with Petrykevych winning in a very close 10-point tiebreak.
In the senior feed-in, Walter Dziwak bested Orest Wasyluk in a close match, with Dziwak winning in a tiebreak. The Tennis Committee had decided in advance that senior players had the option of playing three sets or a match tiebreak. The practice of match tiebreak is common for seniors in many tournaments.
The closing ceremonies began on Saturday afternoon and concluded on Sunday after all senior matches were finished.
This year’s Mary Dushnyck Sportsmanship Trophy was awarded to Peter Goletz, a long-time participant for more than 30 years, as determined by the USCAK Tennis Committee. Mrs. Dushnyck was an avid tennis player who won in the early years, 1956, 1957 and 1958, and continued to participate until she could no longer do so. She was also the past supreme vice-presidentess of the UNA for many years.
Presenting the trophies and stipends to the winners and finalists were Mr. Sawchak, USCAK tennis director; Mr. Durbak, USCAK Tennis Committee member; and Roma Lisovich, UNA CFO/treasurer. Mr. Sawchak gave closing remarks, and Ms. Lisovich officially ended the tournament.