There was a lot on the line in Brigham City on Championship Saturday for Tyson McGuffin and Catherine Parenteau. Tyson was looking to become only the 2nd male ever to triple crown at a PPA event. Catherine Parenteau was also looking for her first triple crown of the year after coming somewhat close at the Vulcan Championships in Minnesota. Let’s dive into all five matches and break down what happened.
Men’s Doubles Championship: (1) Newman/Koller vs (7) McGuffin/Ignatowich
Riley Newman and AJ Koller got off to a hot start as their hand speed were too much in games 1 and 2. They won comfortably 11-5, 11-4 and looked as if Tyson’s chances of a triple crown were fading. However, he and Ignatowich turned it around quickly winning 11-0 in game 3 and they carried that momentum all the way to a five-game victory, taking the next two games 11-7, 11-8. Back-to-back medals for them has to feel good after having zero medals together in the first five months of the year.
Mixed Doubles Championship: (4) McGuffin/Parenteau vs (19) Smith/Pisnik
McGuffin and Parenteau are no strangers to championship matches. On the other side this was Tina Pisnik’s first appearance in a final in her career. Pat Smith is a veteran but he was dealing with a head injury coming into the final. McGuffin and Parenteau buckled down in the business end of both the first two games winning them 11-7 and 11-5. Unfortunately Pat Smith was forced to retire due to that head injury he sustained in the men’s doubles semifinal on Friday.
Women’s Doubles Championship: (4) Todd/Parenteau vs (3) Smith/Jones
This was essentially an away match for the team of Todd/Parenteau as they were going up against the hometown team of Smith/Jones. The crowd had an early impact as it was Smith/Jones that were able to secure game 1 11-8. After that it was all Todd & Parenteau as they settled in and found their rhythm taking the next three games 11-5, 11-5, 11-1. Parris Todd proved this weekend that she is still one of the best women’s players in the game despite competing mostly on the APP Tour.
Men’s Singles Championship: (2) McGuffin vs (4) Garnett
The only person standing between Tyson and a triple crown was Connor Garnett, who is one of the sport’s rising stars. This was rematch of the San Clemente men’s final from back in June where it was McGuffin who overcame a big game 1 deficit to win in straights. This time out it was McGuffin who stormed out to an early lead winning game 1 11-6. In game 2 Garnett came out firing the two handed backhand and found himself up 9-2 as McGuffin called his second timeout. In classic Tyson fashion though he dug deep and reeled off 10 of the next 12 points on serve to seal the victory 12-10 to earn his first triple crown of his career.
Women’s Singles Championship: (1) Parenteau vs (2) Devidze
Parenteau, in search of her triple crown, had to take out Salome Devidze, who she defeated in Red Rock, Utah in the women’s singles final back in April. This match was eerily similar as Parenteau’s movement and court coverage was too much for the base liner Devidze. Catherine cruised to an 11-2, 11-6 win as she closed out the Tournament of Champions in style. On the Horizon The PPA Tour heads to Kansas City, Missouri next week with action set to kick off on Thursday August 24th. Follow the PPA Tour on social media for updates on streaming coverage.
