Pickleball Club Gains Popularity at Wakefield High School
The pickleball craze has officially hit Wakefield High School, and it’s taking the student body by storm. With 18 members and counting, the pickleball club at the Arlington school is quickly becoming one of the most popular extracurricular activities on campus.
Led by senior Keyla Park Hernández, a varsity tennis player, and her father, Paul Joseph Park, who serves as the coach, the club meets twice a week for some friendly competition and fun. The club’s teacher sponsors, Jackie Cubero and Ashley Rickman, are also avid pickleball players with years of experience in the sport.
What started as a small group of enthusiasts playing on makeshift courts has now grown into a full-fledged club with big dreams. The club recently held a tournament, with some players competing in multiple matches. They have even received donations of pickleball paddles and offers for lessons from local sports centers.
But the club’s ultimate goal is to establish pickleball facilities on campus, complete with dedicated courts and nets. They hope to show the school administration that there is a demand for pickleball at Wakefield and that it deserves full club status.
The enthusiasm for pickleball at Wakefield has even sparked interest at neighboring high schools, with plans in the works to start similar organizations at Washington-Liberty and Yorktown. The sport is clearly gaining popularity among students in the Arlington area.
So, if you find yourself at Wakefield High School on a Monday or Wednesday afternoon, don’t be surprised to see a group of students fiercely competing on the pickleball courts. Who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of some of the club’s standout players like Adrian, Alec, Allison, and Amariss showing off their skills.
As the club continues to grow and make a name for itself, one thing is for sure – the pickleball craze is here to stay at Wakefield High School. And with dedicated members like Keyla, Paul Joseph, Jackie, and Ashley leading the way, the future looks bright for pickleball enthusiasts in Arlington.