By Jeff Odom
Noah Makarome is no stranger to dominating opponents on the tennis court.
The Wiregrass Ranch High sophomore-to-be continued that trend recently during a summer competition at the U.S. Tennis Association’s National Clay Court Championships, winning the Boys 14 Singles title at the prestigious Jimmy Evert Tennis Center in Fort Lauderdale.
Makarome’s route to the championship wasn’t easy, though.
He fought through challenging opponents and bouts of heavy rain the entire week, which, at times, delayed competition. Makarome also dealt with an illness he contracted midway through the tournament.
However, dizzy spells, nausea and severe body cramps did not hold him back. Makarome battled through it all to win his second career USTA National Championship Gold Ball to go along with the organization’s 2013 National Open 14 Boys Sportsmanship Award, which was given to him two weeks earlier after a vote by his peers.
The gold ball is the highest award the USTA gives to amateurs after winning the national championship.
His sister, Star Makarome, also got in on the action, too.
The Wiregrass Ranch girls tennis team’s top-ranked player placed fourth at the Girls 18 USTA National Open Tournament in Denver in early July. It was the first time she competed in that event.
— Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter @JOdomLaker
