Callie Smith
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Callie Jo Smith is an American professional pickleball player. In 2021 she ranked as high as No. 3 in both Women's Doubles AND Women's Singles by the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA)[1]. Though she has not played in many tournaments hosted by the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP), she finished in the Top 10 of Women's Doubles and Singles in 2020 & 2021 [2]. She has been sponsored by multiple different companies over the course of her professional career, but her current sponsors include Optivida Health (2021) [3] and Spry Smile (also known as XLEAR - 2021)[4].
Personal life[edit]
Smith was raised in Orem, Utah. From a young age, Smith was taught tennis by various members of her family - most notable of which is her grandfather Wayne Pierce[5]. Smith played tennis at Orem High School, and is a four-time state high school champion. She went on to play tennis at Brigham Young University during her freshman year of college, but transferred during her sophomore year (2012) to the University of Utah. Smith played the No. 2 position in both Women's Singles & Doubles, and amassed a winning record in both. [6]
Smith met her husband Kyle in 2013 on a blind date. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [7] on December 30th, 2014. They have two children, Camber Lynn and Stockton Wayne. Smith graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science and a Minor Degree in Nutrition. Smith became the Head Tennis Manager at Coach Mike's Tennis Academy in 2015, and successfully managed the club until she stepped down in 2017 to become a stay at home mother.
Professional pickleball career[edit]
Smith was first introduced to pickleball by her husband's 88-year-old grandfather, who invited her to play in a local indoor pickleball tournament. Prior to this tournament, Smith would have considered herself a "tennis snob" and wanted nothing to do with pickleball. However, in Smith's own words: "How the heck do you say no to your 90 year old grandparent?"
Smith decided to pursue pickleball as a profession in Fall 2019. She took Gold in her first two tournaments she competed in at the professional level and began to feel her desire to compete grow. Since those first tournaments in 2019 Smith has amassed over 50 medals in professional events - and was the U.S. Open Women's Doubles Gold Medalist with her partner Catherine Parenteau. She concluded 2020 ranked Top 5 in PPA rankings for both Women's Doubles and Singles, and has continued to climb in 2021 [1].
In 2021, Smith and her husband Kyle also founded the pickleball academy known as Paddle Up Pickleball Academy [8]. This academy provides players of all levels professional instruction that can help them improve their overall pickleball game and performance. Currently their academy is located primarily in SUNPRO Tennis & Pickleball Club [9], with additional locations to be announced in 2022.
Smith also hosts clinics and instruction all around the country.[8]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Player Rankings".
- ↑ "APP Rankings".
- ↑ "Optivida Health". www.optividahealth.com.
- ↑ "Spry | Dental Defense".
- ↑ "Wayne E. Pearce Staff Bio". BYU Cougars.
- ↑ "Callie Craig - Women's Tennis". University of Utah Athletics.
- ↑ "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". www.churchofjesuschrist.org.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "PaddleUp". paddleuppickleballacademy.com.
- ↑ "Home". Sunpro Tennis & Pickleball Club.
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