Small Town, Big Impact: Creston Pickleball Players Shine at the Coeur d'Alene Classic

For one July weekend, a team of pickleball players from Creston travelled to the Coeur d'Alene

Classic in Idaho to compete against some of the region’s best athletes. They returned home with

medals, a major competitive milestone, and a reminder that pickleball is about much more than

winning.

Held July 16–19 at Cherry Hill Park in Coeur d'Alene, the tournament brought together players

from across Canada and the United States. While competition was fierce, the weekend was

equally defined by sportsmanship, connection, and the welcoming spirit of the sport.

Creston’s athletes represented a cross-section of the community, competing across multiple skill

levels and divisions.

Leading the way were Levi Huber and Micah Shurgelo, who captured gold in the Men’s 5.0

Doubles division—the entry level into professional-level pickleball competition. Their

championship run showcased the patience, strategy, and mental toughness required to compete at

the highest levels of the sport.

“Glad to win at 5.0,” said Levi. “It took a lot of work to get there, and I’m very happy to have

been partnering with Micah Shurgelo.”

Their achievement was even more impressive given the level of competition they faced,

including opponents with elite player ratings such as a 6.0 DUPR rating. For Levi and Micah,

this milestone represents exciting opportunities ahead as they continue developing their game.

Micah shared that one of his favourite moments was seeing the Creston and Kootenay players

stay to cheer them on during their gold medal match. Having that support behind them made the

victory even more meaningful.

Creston’s success continued throughout the weekend. Eric Buist, partnering with Dave from the

United States, earned silver in Men’s 4.0 Doubles, while Maren Esch, partnering with Peggy

from the United States, captured silver in Women’s 3.5 Doubles. These partnerships reflected one

of pickleball’s greatest strengths—the ability to bring people together across communities and

borders.

Randy Huber and Kerri Roberts earned bronze in Mixed 4.5 Doubles in their first tournament

at that level. Randy also competed in Men’s 4.5 Doubles with Richard Larose and Jairus

Stonehouse in different divisions, earning him the unofficial title of “Creston’s Hardest

Worker” for the weekend.

Beyond the medals, players highlighted the relationships created throughout the tournament.

Richard Larose reflected on hearing both the Canadian and American national anthems before

competition began, saying it reminded him that stronger connections between countries are always possible. He also spoke about the camaraderie among players from Creston, Salmo, and Cranbrook, describing the pride and encouragement players showed toward one another as heartwarming.

Eric Buist shared that the tournament provided an opportunity to connect with American players

and look beyond political differences.

“We are all united by friendship and pickleball,” he said.

For Jairus Stonehouse, the highlight was the combination of high-level competition and the

welcoming atmosphere created by players and volunteers.

That spirit extended beyond the courts, with family, friends, and fellow pickleball enthusiasts

from across the Kootenays cheering on Team Creston throughout the weekend.

Perhaps that is what makes pickleball one of the fastest-growing sports in North America.

Players from different generations, backgrounds, and communities come together through a

shared love of the game. Representing Team Creston were players ranging from their 20s to their

60s, demonstrating that pickleball is a sport where everyone has a place to belong.

The success of Creston players on the regional stage also highlights the future potential of

racquet sports in the Valley. With pickleball continuing to grow, discussions are underway about

the possibility of a future four-season racquet club in Creston featuring dedicated spaces for both

pickleball and tennis. If this vision becomes a reality, it would create opportunities for year-

round play, tournaments, and continued growth throughout the Kootenays.

For Team Creston, the medals were certainly worth celebrating. But perhaps the greatest victory

was showing what makes pickleball special—a sport where generations come together,

friendships cross borders, and communities grow stronger one rally at a time.

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