Featured Player – Page 2 – Jeff Mason Table Tennis

Mike Aguilar

Mike Aguilar has probably the fastest forehand loop at the club; it’s Master level. Mike has been participating in the Advanced-Master Training Program on Thursdays and has dramatically improved his game. Look out when his backhand starts becoming half the stroke as his forehand. He is one of our top advanced players at the Ambridge TTC. Mike will become a Master level player with some hard work and practice, however, he will have to miss some practices because last week (June 2018), he became a father for the first time. Congratulations Mike!! Hopefully your kid will be joining us soon. Besides his super fast forehand loop and fancy footwork, Mike is a great sport and role-model for our young players at the club. He is always willing to play with any player regardless of their level.

Neil Johnson

Neil Johnson is one of our only left-handed all-round players at the club. Neil can do it all…lob and chop defense as well as looping next to the table with his strong forehand attack shots. He is in the Tuesday Intermediate training sessions and has improved from Beginning/Novice to the Intermediate level. He has a very friendly-fun attitude as he plays this game and does not really care about the ratings. His interest is focused on enjoying the sport and improving his skills. The winner of several Ambridge gold and silver medals, Neil is not only a strong competitor, but a great guy with a super disposition. Thanks Neil for helping the club close up at the end of the nights.

Dima Raber

Dima Raber has the loudest screams of any of our Ambridge players. It’s usually in admonishing himself, but sometimes he shouts in the spirit of high exultation after completing a great shot. Many new guests to the club have often learned that this game is very serious as Dima let’s out his feelings that echo through the ballroom. Dima is one of our most improved players, starting from the Beginning/Novice level and climbing up in just a year to playing with the best players in the club. The Advanced-Master Training Program accepted him into the fold of 14 back in March of 2018. Dima is another player that will play with anyone of any level, just to be kind. He remembers well what it’s like to start out. Becoming a champion with the right technique and form is always on his mind. He is a great student of the sport with enthusiasm and spirit that is contagious and entertaining for the whole club.

Steven Lang

Steven Lang is one of our most fun players at the club. Steven loves the sport and that’s apparent when you play him. He is a player that shows great enthusiasm for table tennis. Many people that play him comment on his fun and happy attitude. Steven is in the Monday, level 4, training session. He features a steady backhand with an explosive forehand loop and hit. Listen for the laughter and the celebrations of joy as Steve hits some of his best shots.

Ivan Lehecka

Ivan Lehecka features a dual-wing attacking style with a strong forehand loop. He has won several medals at the Ambridge and the MAC tournaments. You’ll see Ivan honing his skills in the Monday night Training Sessions (Level 4). Ivan Lehecka has one of the best sporting-like attitudes at the club. He is the father of Sam Lehecka, one of the top junior boys in the Ambridge TTC. Something you may not know about Ivan…he can make the best whole wheat bread you’ve ever tasted. We are very happy that both he and Sam train and play at the Ambridge TTC.

Nick Mertz

Nick Mertz is not only one of our top junior players, but he’s also one of our best sports as well. Nick has won several titles/medals at both the MAC and the Ambridge TTC. He recently participated in the US Open in Las Vegas. He teams with Sam Lehecka in the two-person team leagues at the Ambridge and they call themselves the Medalists (which has been true). Nick demonstrates a strong and unique playing style. He features a strong forehand and a tricky backhand. His serves give players a lot of problems. Nick plays a little like Koki Niwa, the most dramatically unique World Class player on the circuit today. You may not know this about Nick, but he is an accomplished Jazz (percussion), musician.

Jayke Napalm

Jayke Napalm is a player to watch for both style and development. He has great form and technique for the modern mid-distance looping style. With this great form and technique, Jayke will certainly become a top player in a relatively short time. Jayke trains in the Tuesday (level 5 and 6), coaching program. Novice attacking players can watch his strokes and endings to develop their own play. You’ll notice that Jayke has a great love for the game and he has a great sporting-like attitude as well. With practice, Jayke’s game will truly soar upwards in the next year.

Melody Louise Mason

One of Portland’s top feline furhanders. Melody Mason features a fantastic furhand loop with fast, feral footwork. Watch the fur fly when she’s on the table. This south paw just took FURst place in the Kitty Kat Closed in Jeff and Sandy’s neighborhood tournament. She takes individual lessons at Jeff and Sandy’s house in Vancouver, Washington to PURRfect her furousious furhands. Melody chooses not to socialize and play at the Peace and Pong TTC in Portland, but rather to claw her way to the top by taking private lessons in a more quiet/catatonic table tennis atmosphere at Jeff’s TT studio. Despite her young age at 3 years old, this cathletic cougar plans to be a World Class CATpetitor by the age of 4. She’s a furmittable opponent; no kitten around!

Alex Grimaldi

Alex Grimaldi is one of the Ambridge TTC’s top players. Alex trains in the Thursday Advanced-Master Program. He has a very flashy, dramatic game featuring backhand control blocks and spins with a powerful forehand loop. Alex is a great sport and has aspirations of becoming a Master level player. His positive, pleasant attitude makes him a bright light at the Melody Ballroom. He and Dima Raber just won the Ambridge Winter Two-Person Team League Open Division Feb, 2018. We’re hoping to get Alex to the US Open in Vegas next December.

Sam Lehecka

Sam Lehecka is one of our top up-and-coming young players at the Melody Ballroom. He has improved dramatically in the past year and will be jumping up in divisions, classes, and ratings as 2018 progresses. He and Nick Mertz took the Silver Medals in the C Division at the Winter 2018 2-Person Team Leagues. His favorite shot is the forehand loop and he moves around the court using this big attack shot whenever possible. Sam trains in the 7 pm Monday class (level 4), and will surely be increasing his power and consistency in the next few months. Players comment on what a great sporting-like attitude Sam demonstrates every time he plays.