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Medford youth tennis clinic unearths stars of tomorrow By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN The United States Tennis Association sent Greg Patton to Medford last weekend with the hope of uncovering a potential star -- or stars -- of the future. Patton, who says, "I travel more than Bill Clinton on the campaign trail, or on the run from Ken Starr," believes his two days working the USTA/Oregon Area Training Center at Medford's Southern Oregon Tennis Club paid off. "I've seen some very good athletes and talent here," he says. "I'm pleasantly surprised." Three potential diamonds in the rough -- Patton hopes he can turn them into jewels on the court -- are from Medford. They're 14-year-old Jenny Brown, a freshman at St. Mary's High; 12-year-old Erin Chamberlain, a sixth-grade student at Hoover Elementary School; and 12-year-old Ric Mortera of Sacred Heart School. "All of those kids are very athletic," says Patton, who spent two days watching and evaluating 20 Oregon junior players, boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14, at Southern Oregon Tennis Club. Patton says he likes to observe and work at camps and clinics SOTC's Frank Inn puts on, because he usually attracts some of the top junior players in the Northwest. "He's been doing it since he developed Jonathan Stark and some other highly ranked junior players from this area," says Patton, the national junior coach in the west region for the United States Tennis Association. "My job is to have some of these kids ranked in the top 20 in the world in five years. If none of them make it, I've failed. "I want them banging balls hard with the French, Croatians and Russians. They are the future of tennis in our country." Patton was a college tennis coach and teacher for 23 years before taking his present position a year ago. "I almost feel guilty taking the money because it's so much fun," he says. Patton specializes in relating to young players and motivating them to become good tennis players. "My wife says I do it so well because I act like a kid myself," says Patton. "I love the game. I like to teach and play. And it shows (on the court)." Other local players at the training center camp were 13-year-old Annie Chaney, 9-year-old Kellen Damico, and 8-year-old Krista Damico of Medford. Also selected to participate in the training camp was 14-year-old Ali Wilson of Klamath Falls. Brown was rated No. 10 in the girls age 14-and-under division of the Pacific Northwest Section of the USTA last year. She swings a nasty two-hand backhand shot and is known for her power ground strokes. "She's a real thoroughbred," says Patton. "She's pretty solid player with a lot of potential, based on her athletic ability. She can run and has a variety of shots. "She's one of the kids I need to keep a close eye on." Chamberlain says she learned several new tactics and techniques in the camp to help her game immediately. "I learned to try to hit across court until I get a short ball," she says. "Then, I try to attack. I like that style." Mortera says he wants to be an all-court specialist to take advantage of his foot speed and athletic ability. "I like to hit a lot of forehand and ground strokes," he says. "I'm learning to be more patient and what to try to do with the ball in certain situations." Inn has been working with Oregon junior players for the United States Tennis Association for 12 years. His reputation as a prime developer of junior talent was enhanced greatly after producing nationally ranked juniors Jonathan Stark, Will Forsyth and Kelley Olson. "This is primarily supplemental training for these kids," says Inn. "They were selected as the Oregon representatives based on their rankings in the Pacific Northwest Section of the USTA." "Having a coach like Frank here is great," says Mortera. "He's a coach who trained Stark. I don't know Stark, but just knowing Frank taught him gives you confidence he can take us there. "I want to be a famous pro player," says Mortera. "Hopefully, Frank can help me get there." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford,