Twelve pro hopefuls are heading to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to see if they've got what it takes to go to the next level.
This weekend, twelve hand-picked hopefuls will descend on Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to partake in Selkirk Sport's first-ever pickleball combine.
The event is part of Selkirk's new Sparta Program, "a groundbreaking initiative designed to identify and develop the next generation of professional pickleball athletes," the company said in a press release.
The combine will feature six men and six women, identified and invited by Selkirk to participate in a weekend of "advanced performance testing," including:
- A variety of performance assessments
- Live match play
- One-on-one instruction from coach Morgan Evans
“The Sparta Program and the pickleball combine are about more than testing athletic ability — they’re about investing in the next generation of pickleball talent,” said Rob Barnes, co-founder and co-CEO of Selkirk Sport.
“By providing data-driven performance evaluations and direct access to professional coaching, we aim to give promising athletes the tools, support and exposure they need to succeed at the highest level. This aligns directly with Selkirk’s mission to grow the game and foster young talent.”
The Inaugural Class
The 12 participants were invited to apply for the combine from Selkirk's Emerging Pros program, which currently includes more than 400 players from across the globe.
Narrowing down the pool to just 12 was a challenge, Selkirk said, and involved looking at DUPR history, match history, physical attributes and other relevant information.
There was even a "Selkirk-developed AI-powered reaction and decision-making assessment" tool that assisted in the overall talent analysis.
Selkirk leaders and coach Morgan Evans ultimately evaluated the applications and extended the invitations.
Men
- Daniel Traxler, 24 - Oceanside, California
- Rafael Lenhard, 28 - Las Vegas
- Armaan Jiwa Maji, 20 - West Vancouver, BC
- Cade Edwards, 22 - Richland, Washington
- Miles Hoover, 19 - Colorado Springs
- Anouar Braham, 25 - Seneca, South Carolina
Women
- Estephany Tan, 29 - New York
- Luana Stanciu, 29 - Austin, Texas
- Brinley Horton, 23 - Washington, Utah
- Elina Geut, 27 - Knoxville, Tennessee
- Carlota Patricia Treviño, 33 - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Hannah Fife, 23 - Logan, Utah
One name in that list might stand out: Rafael Lenhard upset Ben Johns in the round of 64 at the PPA Orange County Cup in June.
What's the 'Prize'?
The overall goal of the combine is to give aspiring pros the chance to gain feedback, visibility, and increased opportunities for competitive advancement.
Any participants who really shine could have the chance to receive a higher-tier contract from Selkirk for more financial and developmental support.
Going forward , Selkirk hopes to grow and expand the combine, building on the learnings and successes from this first event.
