Meet the Stingers
DARYL WYATT
Kansas City, MO
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Born and raised in DC, Daryl started playing tennis at the age of 11. By age 14, he had already secured the impressive ranking of number 8 nationally. His talent led him to the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where he earned the prestigious All-American title during his freshman year. Daryl left UNC to pursue a career as a professional tennis player in 1993, and ranked on the ATP Tour. Despite his early success, a career-ending injury redirected Daryl's path to coaching. In 2022, Daryl acquired SW19 Tennis Club and turned it into a thriving pickleball community, where he also found a passion for playing the sport. Daryl is a proud player on the Stingers and is currently ranked #6 in Men’s Pro Doubles Champions Division (APP).
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Currently ranked #6 in Men’s Pro Doubles Champions Division (APP)
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Pickleball, playing pickleball, coaching pickleball.
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“In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins
CARA BETH LEE
SEATTLE, WA
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From hockey and baseball roots with three older brothers to college tennis and now senior pro pickleball, CB has always been built for competition. An orthopedic surgeon by trade turned APP gold medalist, CB brings elite precision on and off the court.
Now trading racquets for paddles full-time, she’s stacking wins—including the 2025 NYC APP gold in senior pro doubles—while sharing her knowledge through her Youtube channel Pickleball Prescription, helping athletes stay sharp, strong, and in the game.
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2025 NYC APP gold in senior pro doubles
DAVID GEORGE
South Bend, IN
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Meet David "The Professor" George, a philosophy and ethics professor by day, and pickleball pro by night (and weekends). Hailing from South Bend, IN, David has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments, including a silver medal at the 2023 U.S. Open, top 10 rankings in senior pro doubles, and top 5 in senior pro singles. When he's not schooling opponents with his consistent play, mental toughness, and incredible fitness, you might catch him dishing out pickleball wisdom at pickleball clinics with Jennifer Gallwas and on the "Everything and the Kitchen Dink" NPL podcast. Off the courts, David enjoys spending time with his wife, Denise, and three kids, Derek, Dominick, and Dana.
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2023 U.S. Open Silver Medalist
Top 10 DUPR Senior Pro Male Doubles
Top 5 DUPR Senior Pro Male Singles
Top 10 APP Senior Pro Male
Division 3 three sport athlete (Wheaton College) - Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis
Division 3 Tennis All-American Doubles (Wheaton College)
Division 3 Academic All-American (Tennis, Wheaton College)
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When David isn't in the classroom or on the court, he also spends his time as a Landscape Designer at Roseland Garden Center and as a Tennis Teaching Pro at South Bend Racquet Club
David is the head of a pickleball program at Juvenile Justice Center in South Bend, IN
Volunteer for TOP soccer for developmentally disabled youth
Volunteer at Youth Service Bureau for homeless teens
David enjoys raising ducks and chickens, playing spikeball, and playing cribbage
Having grown up with a father in the Air Force, David has been to over 20 countries around the world
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"Lose Yourself" by Eminem
Andrea Godwin
Douglasville, GA
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A North Carolina native now based in Atlanta, she’s spent a lifetime competing—from basketball and softball to holding a high school 4x400m record that still stands since 1989.
With 5+ national golden tickets and a 255–129 record, Andrea brings serious competitive fire to the swarm. A proud five-year breast cancer survivor, she embodies resilience, grit, and joy in everything she does—on and off the court.
When she’s not competing, she’s traveling the world, cycling centuries, earning belts in Taekwondo, or dominating Mahjong nights across every variation you can name.
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5+ national golden tickets and a 255–129 record
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Traveling the world, century cyclist (100 miles!), earning belts in Taekwondo, or dominating Mahjong (American, Hong Kong, Chinese and Japanese).
KYLE GARDNER
Leawood, KS
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From Prairie Village, KS, Kyle is a baseball coach at Shawnee Mission South High School and a retired youth pastor who has led 40+ mission trips serving communities nationwide. Kyle discovered pickleball after Covid when a neighbor invited him to play, quickly turning it into a passion. He’s won numerous local and regional tournaments while balancing life with four active kids. A two-time All-Conference and All-Region baseball player at Ottawa University, Kyle brings strong athleticism and leadership to the court. Off the court, he loves supporting his kids in their sports and activities.
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Has won many local tournaments and a few regional, but with 4 very active school age kids has not had time to play many national tournaments.
Kyle has always loved playing any sport with a ball. Played college baseball at Ottawa University – 2 time All Conference and All Region player - 17th in the nation in doubles in 1994, was part of Ottawa’s 1st Conference Championship in 1995.
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My favorite thing to do is watch and support my kids in their sports and activities. I have been blessed with so many opportunities in my life and want them to be able to experience their passions and dreams as well. I also love everything baseball!
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“Chicken Fried” by the Zach Brown Band
CRISTIE SHARPSTEEN
Kansas City, MO
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Meet Cristie Sharpsteen, a Kansas City realtor and pickleball instructor making her debut this season in the National Pickleball League. With a rich athletic background spanning high school softball, basketball, swimming, and a colorful mix of recreational sports like racquetball and volleyball, Cristie brings adaptability, a strong desire to learn, and a positive, encouraging spirit to the court. Off the court, she’s been happily married to Jason for 23 years and is a proud mom of two sons, Cooper and Burke, with her greatest achievement being the loving, fun-filled family she’s built.
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US Open Gold 5.0 Women’s and Mixed
PPA Austin Sr Pro Women’s Bronze
PPA KC Sr Pro Double Gold Women’s and Mixed
Nationals Sr Pro Top 5
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Volunteer activities: Host free Learn to Play Pickleball Events, Rose Brooks, Harvesters, Wayside Waifs
Comedy, Travel, Art, Literature and Fun
Cristie enjoys creating Coach Kitty videos. She’s an over-the-top pickleball persona—a blend of southern sass, locker room wisdom, and unapologetic flair.
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“All I Do is Win” by DJ Khalid
KIM KESNER
Littleton, CO
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The Stingers are thrilled to have this Houston native and Littleton, CO local back on the squad. Kim’s a powerhouse on the court—mentally tough, never gives up, and always brings the positive vibes. From college volleyball and softball to being named APP’s Most Improved Player and a nomination for 2024 'Sportswomen of Colorado' for pickleball player of the year, she’s a true competitor and team player.
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Most improved player of the year (App 2021)
Nominated for 2024 Sportswomen of Colorado for pickleball player of the year
Two sport athlete, played 4 years of college volleyball and 2 years of softball
Won one game against Ben Johns in Vail, CO in 2019
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Off the court, Kims a dedicated chiropractor, coach, volunteer, and always up for a laugh or a dance to 80s hits.
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“Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne
Evonne Allerkamp
San Antonio, TX
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With multiple USTA 4.5 & 5.0 state and national team appearances—and a quick rise in pickleball since picking up the sport in 2021—she’s already stacked gold medals across Texas and competes with the San Antonio Fury in the TX Senior Pro league.
Her journey has taken her from representing the U.S. playing tennis in the Maccabiah Games when she was 14, to saying “I do” on the High Roller in Vegas with wife Dedra—and now into the hive.
Stacy Zelenski
Morro Bay, CA
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A fierce competitor and professional pickleball player, Stacy brings intensity, passion, and proven success on the court. Before pickleball, she competed in basketball and softball at the collegiate level and later added ice hockey to her athletic résumé—showcasing her drive and versatility across every sport she touches.
What truly sets her apart is her energy and connection to the game and community—competitive, positive, and always building relationships through sport. Off the court, she’s a proud NaNa who cherishes time with her granddaughters.
Philip Edwards
Dunedin, FL
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From CrossFit chaos to tennis polish to full-send pickleball menace, Philip didn’t ease into the sport—he got released into it! A 2025 Houston Combine Champion, he brings pressure, pace, and pure unpredictability every time he steps on court.
Michael Moon
Tiburon, CA
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From pandemic paddle sessions with his son to competing across the PPA tour, Michael’s journey is built on family, growth, and competition. Now a 4x PPA Senior Pro medalist and Top 10 in Men’s and Mixed Doubles, he brings elite experience and steady presence to the court.
Beyond the court, he’s helping grow the game worldwide—coordinating South Korea’s entry into the Pickleball World Cup, coaching high school athletes, and even founding the California High School Pickleball State Championships!
He’s making a global impact and on a mission to grow the sport as the Pickleball World Cup coordinator for South Korea.
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4x PPA Senior Pro medalist and Top 10 in Men’s and Mixed Doubles
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Michael is the Pickleball World Cup coordinator for South Korea!
Scott Van
Key Largo, FL
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A world traveler, foodie, and full-on sports junkie, he’s played everything from football to hockey to basketball —but found his true sting in pickleball back in 2015. Competing on the APP circuit in Florida, he’s turned passion into purpose—launching his own brand, diNGK Sports, and giving back by coaching in the community.
Entrepreneur, girl dad, and now a Stinger—he’s ready to make his mark on the hive!
Prime Roster
deanne dodd
Kansas City, MO
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A lifelong athlete and multi-sport competitor in volleyball, basketball, and softball, she brings 15+ years of coaching experience and a sharp strategic mind to the court. Now stepping into Senior Pro pickleball, she’s focused on elevating her game and competing at the next level—calm on the outside, fierce underneath.
Off the court, she’s a Creative Director, blending strategy and creativity in her work, and is fueled by family support from her husband Kevin and their two kids.
Alan “sal” robertson
McDonald, TN
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An avid athlete and sports lover, it only took one game of pickleball for him to be hooked. Since then, he’s been all in—playing 15–20 hours a week across dozens of cities while building deep experience on the court.
A lifelong coach across youth and adult sports, he naturally stepped into becoming a PPA-certified instructor, combining passion and knowledge to grow the game. That same drive led him to found Element6 Pickleball, creating quality equipment designed and built in Tennessee.
Suzanne Arnold
Kansas City, MO
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A cardiologist, researcher, and UMKC professor, she brings elite intellect and competitive edge to the court. A former multi-sport athlete with soccer, basketball, and four years of rowing at Ohio State, she thrives in high-performance environments.
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Has the first 50 digits of pi memorized
Watches every Oscar-nominated film each year
Follower of women’s soccer across the world - A devoted KC Current season ticket holder and three-time Women’s World Cup attendee!
Nathan White
Fishers, IN
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This Indy-area native has been competing since high school football and baseball, including a year at the NAIA collegiate level. Since picking up pickleball in 2019, he’s consistently finished top 3 in multiple 5.0 tournaments—bringing steady, high-level competition to the court
Off the court, he works in corporate finance with degrees from Purdue and IU, and is a lifelong Hoosiers fan, traveling to major moments like the Rose Bowl and National Championship.
masters Roster
Connie Burnett
Oklahoma City, OK
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An attorney with 30+ years in corporate, M&A, and securities law across OK, KS, and TX, Connie brought a lifetime of competitive sports experience—basketball, tennis, softball, and more—into pickleball after retirement and never looked back. Since then, she’s stacked medals at the US Open, Nationals, and APP Masters Pro events.
Now in her fourth year of CSP, she’s excited to join the Kansas City Stingers 60’s team after competing with OKC Punishers, Austin Ignite, and Princeton Bruisers.
Mary ellen elizondo
McDonald, TN
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Splitting her time between Fort Wayne, Indiana in the Summer and Aspen, Colorado for the Winter, this multi-sport athlete (skiing 100+ days a year, tennis, golf, and pickleball) brings unmatched energy—fueled by her roots as a former cheerleader and fitness instructor.
A proud mom of three and longtime business owner, she’s also dedicated 30+ years to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, helping raise over $44M for research. A true fighter, she’s beaten both breast cancer and bile duct cancer.
On the court, she’s stacking wins with a 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships bronze to her name. Off the court, she’s all about family, community, and bringing people together—whether it’s hosting dinners or hitting the slopes.
tricia jordan
Granite Bay, CA
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A former teacher and school principal turned competitive pickleball player and coach, Tricia brings a lifetime of leadership, passion, and championship pedigree to the court. A San Diego State Hall of Fame inductee, NCAA Champion at UCLA, and USA Softball World Champion, she’s no stranger to performing on the biggest stages.
The youngest of five siblings—and now proudly known as “Nai Nai Pickleball Coach” to her grandson—she’s found her favorite role yet: sharing the game she loves and creating meaningful moments on the court.
jackie Peck
Cameron, MO
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Coming Soon
gregory michalak
McKinney, TX
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Born in Illinois and a former college baseball player, Greg spent 35+ years at Texas Instruments—where he built a career, a life, and even met his wife of 35+ years. Now based in McKinney, Texas, he raised three kids and is soon welcoming his first grandchild.
A lifelong competitor who once built his own baseball field for his son’s team, Greg brings that same builder mentality to the hive
tricia skibell
Overland Park, KS
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Raised in a fiercely competitive Georgia household as the youngest of five (with four older brothers as built-in coaches), she grew up grounded in grit, resilience, and nonstop athletic drive. A lifelong competitor across multiple sports, she spent years sharpening her game in USTA and ALTA tennis before transitioning that same intensity into pickleball.
After a 35-year career as a dental hygienist, she’s brought her precision, focus, and toughness straight into the hive—where competition feels like home.
Off the court, she’s all about family, fitness, crafting, and the outdoors, always surrounded by the people who push her to be her best.
larry Boyd
Carl Junction, MO
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He is bringing veteran experience and competitive fire to the hive! Larry has spent decades competing across nearly every court you can think of—pickleball, tennis, golf, racquetball, ping-pong, and basketball.
A former State Basketball Champion with a deep tennis background that spans from state-level play to college nationals—and over 40 years of USTA tournaments—his resume speaks for itself. Add in appearances at MILP Nationals and countless local tournament wins, and you’ve got a true competitor in every sense
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“Lose Yourself” by Eminem
Brian Burton
McKinney, TX
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Coming Soon
James Callanan
Boulder, CO
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Coming Soon
Bill Wernecke
Peachtree City, GA
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Coming Soon