Player Profile: Jeremiah San Juan

It’s always great to be amazed and amused at seeing a serious and skilled player on the courts, especially one that’s only 6 years old.

Jeremiah is at the Sutter courts a lot this summer with his Dad John.  Jeremiah has a sturdy forehand, scoots around the court driving returns that zing across the net, and has serious focus that melts into the cutest smile when he wins a point.  I’m not sure if  Jeremiah is taller than the Pickleball net, but watching him play with his going-into-middle-school friend, CJ (pronounced cee-jay), you can’t help but think that if Jeremiah sticks with it, he’s gonna “pickle” you in a couple of years if you dare play him.  The two of them were putting a hurt on their adult opponents on that day.

Jeremiah is going into First Grade this Fall and began swinging a paddle about 2 summers ago when he was 4.  I’ve been involved in a fair number of Pickleball youth activity programs with the SF Boys & Girls Club, and it’s very rare to see someone at this age be as developmentally focused as Jeremiah.  On the court you see his concentration and joy, and he has a solid foundational paddle stroke.  Dad says Jeremiah also likes flag football, so it’s not a sure thing how far he will actually go with Pickleball, but as with all sports, it is important that youth development be encouraged and nurtured.  Dad John deserves a lot of credit here, and let’s hope all parents support healthy recreational sport play.  Tennis has well developed youth and summer programs, and as Pickleball continues to grow, the Community needs to make sure similar offerings for Pickleball get established.  It’s how you elevate to become a globally accepted sport.

Someone asked Jeremiah if he knew who Ben Johns was, and with a puzzled look he replied, “Who?”  Well, Ben doesn’t know who Jeremiah is either right now, but don’t be surprised if Ben finds out some 10+ years in the future when they face each other in a PPA tournament draw somewhere.  No harm in dreaming big.

- Hans Carter