Joe Cochran, from South Bend, Indiana, made
the U.S. National Junior team in Las Vegas. Joe, who is only 15 years old, made
the squad in his first year of eligibility as a junior. As a result of his
excellent play in the team trials and runner-up in the Under 2100 event he now
has a 2199 rating. Joe made the U.S. Cadet team two years ago and used that
experience to make this year’s junior team.
Joe began playing eight years ago at the
South Bend Table Tennis Club and joined the junior team shortly thereafter. I
have been coaching him for eight years now and he has also worked with Coach
Mark Nordby. Joe is a forehand looping style player who is now incorporating a
backhand loop into his game. He is very strong physically and works very hard in
practice 4-5 days per week. He is an excellent student who loves to try new
techniques.
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Junior
of the Month: Joe Cochran