STORYLINES FOR THE PICKLEBALL CENTRAL INDOOR USA CHAMPIONSHIPS

LOUD KNOCKS – Opportunity knocking for the field – no Ben or ALW (& others) in the field.
I SEE CJ: Collin Johns steps in for the injured Ignatowich to play with Wright and Bright.
THROUGH THE ROOF: Indoor tournament – different sight lines and pace of play.
SOCK IT TO ME: Does Jack Sock make his first 2024 final?
TIME OF YOUR LIFE TIME: 3^rd year at this MN Life Time venue just down the road from Life Time HQ

Event #4 of the year – one of 15 Opens in 2024, with 1000 points up for grabs for the winners.
Traditional draw (playing singles Thursday, mixed Friday, gender Saturday, Finals Sunday).
Over 900 amateurs playing.
All coverage on PickleballTV.

Defending medalists: Catherine Parenteau, Lea Jansen, Salome Devidze
Parenteau is the top seed and defending champion.
Parris Todd (15) is capable of a deep run but has an early potential showdown with Jansen (2).
WATCH OUT FOR: Kaitlyn Christian (12) – medaled at Desert Ridge and her arrow is pointing up – can she hit the podium again?

Defending medalists: James Ignatowich, JW Johnson, Jay Devilliers
Aanik Lohani (9) is the local favorite and made the Guaranteed Rate Final in October.
Jack Sock (11) has entered singles twice and both times was knocked out by Staksrud (1)
WATCH OUT FOR: Cason Campbell (22) – teen sensation with 5-year-old “lucky” hat made the quarters in Mesa.

Defending medalists: Parenteau/Ignatowich, Stratman/Arnold, Smith/Frazier
David/Wilson (1) – how do they respond to the pressure of being the top seed?
Sock and Parenteau (3) looking to hit the podium for the first time – they get better each event.
Kovalova and Wright (4) – it’s go time for a decorated veteran team that has not had their desired results in ’24.
WATCH OUT FOR: Anna Bright/Collin Johns (2): First time partnership – how much will AB play on the left side of the court?

Defending medalists: Kovalova/Smith, Jansen/Jones, Grechkina/Wright
With Waters not playing, Parenteau is skipping women’s doubles.
Kovalova and Smith (1) are the defending champions and top seeds but not at their peak thus far in ’24.
Rohrabacher and Bright (2) – back together after Rohrabacher’s bridesmaid duties during Mesa.
WATCH OUT FOR: David/Schneemann (3) – made the Denver final in ’23 – will they make a Sunday return?

Defending medalists: Johnson/Frazier, Staksrud/Tellez, Newman/Wright
Wright/C. Johns are the two seed. Matt looking to get the Johns brothers double as he won KC with Ben in ’23 when CJ was hurt.
Sock and Arnold (9) – so much talent, so much chirping, so much opportunity.
Do Tellez/Staksrud (2) return to Championship Sunday as the defending silver medalists?
WATCH OUT FOR: Alshon and Wilson (3) – tons of firepower, will it lead to the podium?