By Karen McCracken
Guest Writer
Many bad things happened on Sept. 11, 2001 but some good things happened also. Strangers became allies, realizing we needed each other to make it through. Patriot Day is about overcoming evil with good. Thus, the Patriot Day Tournament was about creating positive experiences on this infamous day.
Seven teams signed up for this double-elimination tournament at Stecoah Valley Center. Randy and Shelley Conklin were undefeated going into the championship match. After a first round bye they were victorious over Barry and Tami Watson, then over Chris Nesheim and Raul Escharte. Nesheim-Escharte had been undefeated, winning their first two games but after facing the Conklin’s they had to go into the elimination bracket.
Nesheim-Escharte defeated Dave Edwards and Mark Van Osdal to advance to the championship match. To win, Nesheim-Escharte would have to win two matches against the undefeated Conklin duo. In the Conklin v. Nesheim-Escharte rematch, both sides combined power slams and dinks to win volleys. After many competitive exchanges the Conklin’s attained the victory.
Thanks to sponsorship by Hyde Appraisal Companyand Stecoah Storage, the Conklin’s received a championship prize of a jar of pickles, a pack of pickleballs and tickets to the Dec. 13 Appalachian Roadshow concert. Stecoah Valley Center Board Chair Rick Davis presented the award to the Conklin’s.
Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is located at 121 Schoolhouse Road in the Stecoah community off Hwy 28 between Bryson City and Fontana Dam. Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is a non-profit corporation that serves the people of Stecoah and Graham County through programs and services that benefit all members of the community by preserving and promoting the Southern Appalachian mountain culture and through the restoration of the historic old Stecoah School to its original role as the center of the community.