It's not often that a player has the privilege of playing on a regular basis with a National champion. I have had that privilege having played on a regular basis with Dick Miller, former National 4 wall singles Masters champion and now his son Jay. I remember Dick being a true gentleman on and off the court. He was also one of the "smoothest" players that I've seen. Like father like son. The same can be said of his son Jay. Go back 6 years ago and you have Jay showing up at the Arlington YMCA ready to challenge everyone. At the beginning Jay took his lumps from the likes of Mike Klesius and even myself. But that was short lived. Within 18 months Jay was the best at the "Y". Through hard work and dedication Jay was getting better and better. He was now winning some of the local tournaments but still was unknown at the National level.
However, that has all changed during the past year. Jay is now one of the dominate players in the 45+ year group. In February 2009 he and Rick Anderson won the 45+ 4 wall doubles National championship in Las Vegas. But Jay kept on training and getting better. He expanded into playing 3 wall. Then in September 2009 he and Rick Anderson won the 40+ 3 wall doubles National championship in Maumee, Ohio. Jay topped off the doubles championship with winning the 40+ 3 wall singles National championship. Then he and Rick traveled to Portland, Oregon and finished 2nd in the 4 wall World championship. At this same tournament Jay advanced to the semi-finals before losing to the eventual champion and professional player.
How did Jay develop his ability in a relative short period of time? He played when he was a high school student and early college but then quit playing until about 6 years ago when he was nearly 40. How did he develop his retrieval ability and his uncanny accuracy? Jay is a natural athlete who continues to improve his fitness level by working out 5 to 6 days a week combining aerobics and weight training. He spends hours practicing shots by himself so that he doesn't even think about his execution. He also plays a variety of players. He plays players like Lee Anderson and Logan Foley for the speed and power game. He also plays players at the Arlington YMCA like Bruce Aft, Steve Metzger, Karl Lady, Tim Fleming, and Bob Tyrrell for the experience and court savvy that they bring to the game. All of this has combined to make Jay one of the dominate 45+ players in the National arena in a short period of time.
Congratulations to a fine gentleman who is a credit to the game of handball.
