Labor Day tennis tournament date set

Sendhil Kumaran playing tennis
Sendhil Kumaran lines up a shot during a practice match at Atkins Tennis Center. Kumaran and partner Kai Wang won the Men's 35 and over doubles title at the 2023 Labor Day Tournament.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - The Champaign Park District will host the annual Labor Day Tournament from Sunday, September 1 through Monday, September 2.

The entry deadline for the tournament is at 5 pm on Tuesday, August 27. Adult players can register online at Labor Day Tournament registration. Junior players should register at this link for junior division registration—entry fees for singles $28 for singles and $22 for each player entering the doubles competition.

"I love it," Paul Chang told WCIA last August. Unable to place in the 2023 tournament, Chang has become a regular in the local United States Tennis Association league play, polishing his skills for another shot at a tournament trophy.

There are nine singles divisions for adult players, including Beginner/Intermediate Open (2.0-2.5); Men’s Open; Women’s Open; Men’s 35 and over; Women’s 35 and over; Men’s 45 and over; Men’s 55 and over; Men’s 65 and over; and Men’s 70 and over.

Doubles divisions for adults at this year's tournament include Men’s Open; Women’s Open; Men’s 35 and over Doubles; Women’s 35 and over; and Mixed Open Doubles.

There are three age divisions each for boys and girls 16 and under.

Last year's adult tournament champions were:

Men’s Open Singles Final: Alejandro Gomez

Men’s Open Singles Consolation Final: David Diep

Men’s 35 Singles Final: Bill Cawley

Men’s 35 Singles Consolation Final: Kevin Martlage

Men’s 55 Singles Final:Eric Peterson

Men’s 55 Singles Consolation Final: Nitin Bhosale

Boy’s 16 Singles Final: Hunter Madigan

Men’s Open Doubles Final: Jason Zumwalt & Shaun Peterson def. Hunter Antonisse & Alejandro Gomez 6-2, 6-1

Men’s Open Doubles Consolation Final: David Diep & Chris Sarol

Women’s Open Doubles Final: Cindy Crist & Sarah Kim

Women’s Open Doubles Consolation Final: Shiho Gimbel & Rhoda Lewis

Men’s 35 Doubles Final: Sendhil Kumaran & Kai Wang

Men’s 35 Doubles Consolation Final: Clark Brooks & Charles Nerone

Mixed Open Doubles: Sarah Benevento & Chris Kuehn


The draw for all divisions will be emailed to all participants. For more information, contact the tournament director and Park District head tennis professional Yuri Sohn at (217) 819-3993 or by email at yuri.sohn@champaignparks.org.


5 tips to simplify your workday this fall

Photo: Andreea Avramescu/Unsplash

Family Features - Optimizing your workday through careful preparation and effective time management can create a more harmonious balance between your professional and personal life. Finding ways to simplify the day, both at home and on the job, can help you make the most of every minute, so you feel less rushed and better prepared to manage whatever the day throws your way. Make your workdays more manageable with these tips and find more time-saving ideas at BensOriginal.com.

Wake Up on Time
Starting the day with a bang, setting an alarm and sticking to it can be the secret ingredient to a super productive day. Hitting snooze not only makes you groggy, but it cuts into valuable time you need to start your morning routine. Plan to get up late enough to feel rested but early enough to accomplish important tasks, such as breakfast, which gives your body and mind the energy they need for a busy day. Consistent bed and wakeup times can improve the quality of your sleep, giving you the extra boost you need.

Grocery Shop at the Start of the Week
Use your weekends wisely with a smart strategy and foresight to plan ahead so you can save time when workdays get away from you. Planning and prepping meals and keeping your pantry stocked with easy-prep items ensures you’re fueling your body, keeping burnout at bay. For example, Ben’s Original Ready Rice products can be your go-to lifesavers as a delightful lunch that’s ready to serve in 90 seconds. Even when time’s ticking away, you can still enjoy a satisfying dish and keep your energy soaring high.

Keep Your Calendar Organized
Juggling deadlines, meetings and ongoing tasks can be an organizational hassle, but effectively mastering your calendar can make all the difference. Make it a habit to answer meeting requests and ensure they get logged into your calendar promptly. Then, like a pro, schedule other commitments around the meetings, blocking off time as necessary to ensure you leave adequate time at your desk to get your work done. Use your calendar’s labeling and organization tools to help keep you on track. For example, you might color code priority items differently than tasks or meetings that could be moved if necessary.

shopping cart

Photo: Markus Winkler/Unsplash

Simplify Workday Lunches
Bringing your lunch to work can be an ultimate time-saving hack. Enjoying a tasty dish in the breakroom gives you a change of scenery and lets you reset your brain without losing travel time by heading to the nearest drive thru. An option like Ben’s Original Street Food delivers convenience and is a perfect solution for those days when you’re short on time but craving a tasty lunch. It delivers convenience wrapped in a flavor-packed dish, ready to tantalize your taste buds. Look for flavors like Jamaican Jerk-Style Red Beans and Rice with Chicken, Gumbo with Chicken and Andouille Sausage, Fried Rice with Vegetables or a Bean and Rice Burrito Bowl to transport your taste buds around the world, right from the comfort of your office.

Condense Meetings
Whether scheduled or impromptu, meetings can quickly feel like they’re consuming your entire day. If possible, set your calendar availability so you’re only able to take meetings in the late morning or early afternoon. This nifty trick ensures you have ample time to kickstart and wrap up your day with top-priority tasks. Host standing meetings so participants are focused on the topic at hand and less likely to engage in distracting chatter. Prepare agendas for meetings so you can stay on track and handle off-topic discussions outside of meeting times.



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