By Elizabeth Goldman
Sports Editor
With pickleball being one of the fastest growing sports in the country, according to senior Nathan
Staso, Staso is creating a pickleball court outside of the Mira Costa gym.
Pickleball is a combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton and is played on a court a
quarter of the size of a tennis court with a paddle and wiffle ball. According to Staso, although
pickleball is typically played among older individuals, he hopes to encourage more young
people to learn as well.
“A lot of kids probably think it’s a weird sport or they don’t really know about it, but once they see
and actually play it, I think they’d really like it,” Staso said. “Also, if you’re good at tennis or ping
pong, you can easily get really good at this.”
Staso has been playing pickleball for three years and typically plays three to five days a week in
the summer and two to three days a week during the school year. He is sponsored by two
pickleball companies, Non-Volley Zone Apparel and Nexxed, from winning high-level
competitions such as Newport Tennis Center Doubles Shootout and Western Regionals in
Fountain Valley. He plays in tournaments on their teams, and uses their shirts and paddles in
competitions.
“[Pickleball is] probably one of my most passionate things I’ve ever really had,” Staso said. “My
dad showed me how to play [because] he thought I would like it, and I have been addicted ever
since.”
After his dad suggested that he try to make a pickleball court at Costa as his Boy Scout Eagle
Project, Staso began the process of getting it approved, starting with principals Dr. Dale and Dr.
Gerger, and ending with the head of maintenance, Mr. Ruta, and the maintenance department.
“It was a long process to get this approved,” Staso said. “When my dad gave me the idea to do
it, I didn’t even think it was possible, but I just kept asking [Dr. Ben Dale and Principal Dr. Karina
Gerger], and then it was finally approved a few weeks ago.”
Staso will work with Olsen Construction contractor Paul Olsen, to paint and construct the court,
but will be utilizing much of his own pickleball knowledge. The space will be 30 x 60 feet to allow
extra room for an out-of-bounds area outside of the 20 x 44 feet court. The design is purely
Staso’s work, but he will be working with Olsen for the physical work on the court.
“Last weekend, I had a professional contractor dig holes in the ground and then [Paul Olsen]’s
going to help me line up the court and do the painting,” Staso said. “He’s going to guide me but
I’ll be mostly doing it.”
In addition to the court itself, which Staso hopes will be available during lunch, at the beginning
of the month, he founded Pickleball Club to get other students interested in the sport. Starting
with the basics, Staso will teach members how to play pickleball and eventually bring in some
pros, such as Beau Kojima, Wes Burrows, and Matt Manasse, to play with.
“I’m hoping the club will get really big and even turn into part of the PE instruction,” Staso said.
“Hopefully after a few years, [it will be] a sport [at Costa] and we will be able to have
competitions with other schools.”
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