Cape Coral Hosts U.S. Collegiate Pickleball Championships
The sport of pickleball is taking Cape Coral by storm as the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) hosts the U.S. Collegiate Championships at The Courts this weekend. With the country’s top 32 college teams competing for a share of $50,000 and a national championship, the excitement is palpable. Schools from all over the country, including Stanford, Indiana, Texas, and more, are participating in the tournament.
Local athletes like Gulf Coast High School graduate Lauren Lennertz and University of Florida junior Christian Franke are among those competing, showcasing the rapid growth of pickleball at the collegiate level. The event is not yet an NCAA-sanctioned varsity sport, but with the increasing popularity, that may change in the future.
The APP is looking to establish a long-term partnership in Cape Coral, making it the permanent home for the college championships. The championships run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day this weekend, and admission is free for all spectators at The Courts. Don’t miss out on the pickleball madness happening in Cape Coral!
