TENNIS: Hardin County Shootout grows in second year (08/29)

By JOSH CLAYWELL jclaywell@thenewsenterprise.com

ELIZABETHTOWN — With the Heartland Festival going on, high school football starting and some big college football game between rivals, Bo O’Brien didn’t know how good the turnout would be for this year’s MarkHarrisConstruction.com Hardin County Shootout.

But with 61 tennis players competing in 47 matches, O’Brien had no reason to be worried.

“I think last year we had 42 or 43 playing,” O’Brien said. “We ran into a bunch of things this year. But I’m real pleased with the turnout. I’m glad we got as many as we did with what all is going on this weekend.”

Now in its second year, the Hardin County Shootout begins with seven matches starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.

After 10, matches will start every 30 minutes until the tournament is complete.

“We’ve got a good draw and we hope to have some good matches this weekend,” O’Brien said. “The weather should be ideal, too.”

Age groups are boys’ and girls’ 12-and-under, boys’ and girls’ 13-14, boys’ and girls’ 15-16, men’s 20-29, men’s and women’s 30-39, men’s 40-49, men’s and women’s 50-59, men’s 60-69 and women’s combined 60-70.

“We’ve got about twice as many men as we do women,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said the men’s 40-49 and the men’s 50-59 should be the most competitive divisions.

The 50-59 division features Robbie Howard, a former No. 1-ranked player on the USTA circuit.

“Those should be the two toughest divisions in the tournament,” O’Brien said. “We’ve got some good people in those divisions.”

Josh Claywell can be reached at 505-1752