Led by Florida?s Brendan Evans, the world?s second ranked junior, the field for this year?s tournament is filled with top tier players. Evans and Portage?s Scott Oudsema, eighth on the International Tennis Federation rankings list, won the doubles crown at the Wimbledon junior championships. They also are reigning Junior Australian doubles champions.

Wayne Odesnik, last year?s top seed in the 18s, has been playing in professional events on the futures circuit but will return to Kalamazoo. Odesnik lost in the fourth round at the 2003 Nationals.

Scoville Jenkins, seventh in the world rankings, made the semifinals in singles at Wimbledon. The Atlanta resident also has won two grade one international singles titles.

Others creating pretournament buzz are Daniel Yoo, the 2004 Clay Court champion and Easter Bowl finalist; Mykyta Kryvonos, a finalist in two grade one international events this year; and Donald Young, the fifteen year old tennis prodigy from Chicago, who won this year?s Easter Bowl. Young was recently featured in ESPN the magazine.

Source: Colette Lewis (Tournament Office)