Citrus County Schools

Crystal River High School hosts Student-Staff Pickleball Tournament

Crystal River High School (CRHS) hosted a pickleball tournament Thursday to foster collaboration and maintain engagement and connection among students and staff, offering a fun, athletic outlet for the whole school community.

Maddie Lewis, a 2019 alumna of CRHS, now serves as the school's front desk receptionist, bringing four years of dedication and a deep connection to the community back to her alma mater.

Responding to the sport's growing popularity and student interest, last school year, several students approached Lewis, requesting she establish the school's first-ever pickleball club.

Lewis moved immediately to launch the club, enlisting the help of boys' tennis coach Mike Williams. They quickly utilized CRHS's eight existing tennis courts, providing a smooth, ready-made location for practices.

The new club received immediate community support, with students generously donating funds to purchase court-lining tape and essential pickleball equipment.

Practices officially began in November 2024, meeting three days a week purely for recreational fun and to enjoy the sport.

Lewis noted that while the club started small, it quickly grew in popularity as more students joined over time. Following several weeks of successful practice, Lewis decided to elevate the experience by organizing a tournament open to both students and staff.

"We ended up hosting three tournaments last year, all of which had great turnout," Lewis shared, adding, "Our last tournament alone attracted 75 participants, including both students and staff."

This year, students are once again requesting the return of the club, with CRHS student Jacob Gilley specifically becoming the driving force behind the organization of Thursday's tournament.

“I couldn't wait for another pickleball tournament,” Gilley said. “It’s amazing how it gets every student involved, even if they've never picked up a paddle. Plus, I was definitely looking for a rematch from the last one; it gets seriously competitive.”

The pickleball tournaments are a clear source of enjoyment for the CRHS community, exemplified by Autumn Crabtree, a teacher who has enthusiastically participated in all four events held so far.

“The student-staff pickleball tournament is a great experience that strengthens our school culture,” said Crabtree. “Seeing students and teachers competing, laughing, and having fun reminds us how important it is to connect outside the classroom and truly builds a stronger sense of community.”

Thursday's tournament was once again a great success, drawing 60 participants.