ST. GEORGE, Utah – Competing in the first international event of its kind, Utah Tech University club pickleball team recently made history as the first collegiate world champions.
In an event hosted by the Professional Pickleball Association and Adidas, Utah Tech stood out among other student-athletes from across the globe during a three-day championship event held in Dallas, Texas. Competing UT students included Clayton Boydston, Ella Boydston, Liam Duffin, Mary Monson, Dylan Ciampini and Ashlee Peterson. Other participating athletes traveled from India, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Poland, Argentina and Brazil.
“It was awesome to be able to bring home the trophy and represent the legacy that Trailblazer Pickleball has and is continuing to make,” Duffin said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to be student-athletes competing at such a high level as well as have the opportunity to represent Utah Tech.”
Throughout the tournament, Utah Tech remained undefeated and swept all opponents, placing UT into the number one overall seed. With the top seed spot secured, Utah Tech entered into elimination play and remained undefeated.
The final match of the tournament between Utah Tech and India was set to determine the world champions. It opened with women’s and men’s doubles, where both matches split evenly 21-13. With the score tied, the championship title came down to mixed doubles. In a tense finish, sibling duo Clayton and Ella Boydston put Utah Tech over the edge to win the title 22-20.
Utah Tech’s players did well on both an individual and partner level. Mary Monson and Dylan Ciampini are now ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the world. Liam Duffin is ranked second in the world. Dylan Ciampini and Ashlee Peterson are the world champions for women’s doubles.
The championship title for Utah Tech comes on the heels of a partnership with Selkirk Sport as the company’s first-ever collegiate sponsorship. Selkirk Sport is a leading brand in pickleball equipment and is the official sponsor of Utah Tech Pickleball.
Utah Tech University offers more than 300 academic programs, small class sizes, an active-learning education and Utah’s lowest university tuition. Utah Tech University Club Sports promotes a competitive and safe atmosphere for UT students.
For more information about Utah Tech, go to Utahtech.edu. To learn more about UT’s Club Sports program, visit recreation.utahtech.edu/club-
Sports, Local News, Community, Southern Utah, Utah Tech University
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