Edison and Johnson Defeat Testa and Coulet 8-1 to Guarantee Spot in National BTUSA Championship

The trophy that has been so elusive over the past two seasons now sits proudly on Mike Edison's dresser. Edison and partner, Brett Johnson, also known as "Team Rhino", came up big this weekend at the Beach Tennis Tampa Bay Open, soundly defeating pro beach tennis veterans Joe Testa and Bertrand Coulet, 8-1. 16 Men’s and eight Women’s Pro Division Teams competed on Sunday at Club V in Clearwater, Florida, where Beach Tennis USA held the second event of its 10-city, 2008 National Tour.

For Team Rhino, everything seemed to be working on Sunday, as they battled hard before their hometown crowd in the semis to defeat Owen Winston and Kevin Lechlitner (Sarasota, FL), 8-5. “"By the time we reached the finals, we were just in a great groove. We’ve train hard for this and I think its a good indication of what we can do in Miami." said Brett Johnson.

#4-ranked Joe Testa (Hermosa Beach, CA) has teamed up with a new partner in Bertrand Coulet (France). Coulet won the 2007 Sunshine State Slam in Miami Beach, Fl, where he partnered with BTUSA National Champ, Matteo Marighella. The new team of Testa and Coulet could be a force to reckon with this season if they can establish a good rhythm on the sand and get some training time in. Testa says that Coulet will be staying in the U.S. to train with him for the next few months in preparation for the tour's three major events.

In the Women's Pro division, Maria Romo and Catalina Castillo (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) defeated Morgan Basil and Erin Heeder (Ft. Lauderdale) 8-4. Romo and Castillo won last year's Sunshine State Slam and are determined to make it a repeat performance at this year’s event on May 3. Both winning teams automatically qualify for a spot in the 2008 National Beach Tennis Championship, to be held on Labor Day Weekend, in Long Beach, NY.

Results
Junior Finals:
Rebecca Wehling & Eric Thatch defeat Alex Nguyen & Matthew Mooney (9-7)

Women's Amatuer Finals:
Dina Glover & Sonya Thatch defeat Angie Jones & Mary Wilson (8-5)

Men's Amateur Finals:
Greg Reardon & Dan Brooks defeat Charlie Brown & Joe Haas (8-5)

Women's Pro Finals:
Maria Romo & Catalina Castillo defeat Erin Heeder & Morgan Basil (8-4)

Men's Pro Finals:
Brett Johnson & Mike Edison defeat Joe Testa & Bertrand Coulet (8-1)