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Blazing Paddles The Lane County Table Tennis Club |
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Blazing Paddles The Lane County Table Tennis Club |
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Harry is our oldest and longest term member. He was there at the inception of the group and remains active to this day. Harry says the group began in 1992.
Harry has an aggressive and deceptive game... with many trophies to verify it (which he still collects!).
Tom has the second longest standing in the group having started back in 1994. His game has few weaknesses, and he serves as a great example for the newcomers.
Dave was the third current member to have joined the fun. Dave is a sharpshooter who will drive you crazy sending you running from one side of the table to the other. He remains active and is the club treasurer and co-administrator.
Bob Foster has been dependable over the years. When he's not on a hiking trip, you can count on him to add amazing energy and enthusiasm to our games. If you can get the ball past Bob, you have really accomplished something.
"Bj" joined the group in 2005 and, since then, has rarely missed a night. Bj is co-administrator of the group and also the webmaster of this site.
Larry has been around for quite a while. When he isn't snowbirding to Arizona, he is a regular attendee. We only wish we had him all year round.
Joe is an energizing force on the tables and a formidable opponent. We always love it when Joe shows up because there will certainly be some hard fought games that day. If we didn't have to share Joe with the racket ball crowd, we would see more of him.
Jay is a deceptive player who will sneak in an amazing slam or great defensive play when you least expect it. He is one of our dependable players who contributes regularly to the positive atmosphere.
Frankie brightens up any room that he enters. It was due to his initiative that all the names, phone numbers, and emails of all the players were gathered. He then handed out sheets with the info, along with the hours we play, to all of us. This not only helped the regular members but was instrumental in helping new players to become oriented and gave them something meaningful to walk away with.
It was out of the success of Frankie's "info sheets" that the idea for a website was born. The success of the club owes much to Frank's after hours contributions.
"Tom #2" is our resident chopper and defensive specialist. But don't give him anything high and to his backhand or you will be wondering what that lightning bolt was that went past you!
Bo is one of our newer members but has become a relentless student of the game. If there were an award for "Most Improved", Bo would deserve serious consideration. As a "lefty" and a big man, Bo presents an intimidating force at the other end of the table.
Bo is also the photographer for the photos on this page.
Dick gives his all to the game. He is one of the most dedicated of players. He comes early and stays late just to get a few extra hits. Even if you arrive ontime, you will likely find the tables and room all set up... and Dick waiting with paddle in hand.
Ray has become a regular at our games and is certainly a welcome addition. His good nature and high talent level raises the standard of any game he is in. Ray has a "traditional" style with practiced and proficient strokes. He will topspin just about anything you can hit at him.
Furthermore, Ray is always ready to share his knowledge of the game with anyone who will ask. In fact, you can often find him off with a beginner showing them the proper fundamentals.
Good-natured Doyle will often surprise the better players if they are not careful. He is extremely cordial and always ready for pleasant conversation.
Chuck is new to the modern game but is picking everything up very quickly. It would be a mistake to underestimate his ability to get the ball back. He is working on his offensive skills and watch out when he does.
Kwang Jo brings his Korean style to the United States. His extremely fast, close to the table, penholder style presents quite a challenge. If you expect to return any of Kwang Jo's shots, you too had better be very quick!
Clayton is our resident wise-cracker and full-scale looper. You can risk bodily harm by returning one of his shots... or get out of the way and hope he misses.
Cyrus is an excellent player with a devastating forehand. We are always happy to have him show up.
Robert is a newcomer who has taken to the game like a fish to water. He asks questions and absorbs everything quickly. He has picked up quite a bit already and, with his obvious potential, we look forward to watching him progress to an excellent player.
Hisao brings his Japanese penholder style to our games. His close-to-the-table speed and unusual spins add spice and interest to any game.
Celeste brings her cheerfulness and infectious smile and immediately brightens the room. We are so glad to have her! She is quite good and learns very quickly. We hope she paves the way for more women to join the group.
Buzz is another deceptive player with lightning reflexes. Just when you think you've won the point... you didn't!
Theresa is one of our newest ladies to join the group. She is quite athletic and fits in very well already. We are so pleased to have her! We hope more ladies will discover the fun of our game and our group.
Larry is an excellent player who makes great use of the Seemiller grip. His quick "wrist-action" slams make it difficult for the defensive player to anticipate. Larry's game is unique and gives us yet another formidable style to challenge us.
Rick is a great defensive player who will chop back to you anything you send to him. Yet another style to cope with! This is why our games are so much fun.
Rob is an extremely athletic and talented player. He is quick, fast, and young... which all makes for a formidable combination! Rob can play back and chop or come in and slam. We are happy to have him join us.
Tom is a "modified" Seemiller grip player. The result is crazy spins that defy you to return them. His slams come at you... and bounce... at unbelievable angles.
Paul is another newcomer to our group. He is a good player who gets better every time we see him. In fact, he has already matured into one of our better players.
Evelyn & Larry snowbird from Yuma, AZ each summer. We are always happy to have them join us. They have the honor of being the only couple playing in our group.
Leslie has an applauded tennis background and watching her progress in ping-pong has been nothing short of amazing. We expect great things from Leslie and it does not appear that she will disappoint.
"Mikey" has a great attitude and really enjoys the game. He has a deceptive style and loves to hit the ball to the opposite side of where you think it is going. We had missed Mikey while he was recovering from a serious snow boarding accident. But, we are glad to finally have him back!
Jean was one of the original members of the club and we are happy to have her rejoin us. Jean is an extremely smart player who will size-up your weaknesses very quickly. Then the ball will keep showing up in the very spot you don't want it to! You will learn very quickly not to underestimate Jean's abilities.
Scot is very quick and is experimenting with the penhold grip which he plays very well. He will use both sides of his blade, however, so don't expect the usual weakness on the backhand side. Yet another tough opponent.
Lauren joins Harry as one of the only two players to use long pips on one side of the paddle. It gives you one more thing to have to pay attention to... or you will be hitting a seemingly routine ball into the net.
John is very fast and can run down most balls hit away from him. He has been known to switch the paddle from his right to left hand while running down a ball and hitting a surprise left-handed loop return. John loves to play aggressively so be ready for some quick returns.
Scott plays a legitimate Seemiller grip style with quick topspin shots to both sides of the table. Combine that with the ability to put killer underspins on hard drives at him (don't ask me how) and you have yet another tough opponent.
Michael is a developing player with a great outlook. Nothing shakes Michael and his game remains steady.
Lee is the table tennis coach at the University of Oregon. He was also the leader of the temporarily defunct USATT group here in the area. It is because of Lee's support and generosity that we originally had access to the tables we use. We have since purchased Lee's tables from him, but without them, starting this club would have been difficult. It is also through Lee that players wanting more playing time than we offer here or more advanced competition can go. Thanks Lee!
