Several Lincolnites were honored with state awards at the Nebraska Tennis Association Hall of Fame Awards banquet Sunday in Lincoln.

Tom Knudson won the tennis on campus award, Jeff Schoch received the distinguished service award and Kevin Heim was cited as a contributor to USA tennis youth programs. The Lincoln Tennis Association was honored as the outstanding community tennis association.

Longtime Lincoln tennis official, league and tournament organizer Curt Smith was inducted into the NTA Hall of Fame, along with Omaha's Jane Hines.

Harley, Tharp shine at national tourney

Rick Harley and Ken Tharp reached the 65-and-over men's doubles semifinals at the World of Tennis Category II National Tournament in Austin, Texas, last weekend. Harley finished sixth in the 65 singles, winning three consolation matches after losing in the first round of the main draw. Tharp won two rounds in the men's 70s singles before losing in the quarterfinals.

Tondl top seed

Omaha's Lauren Tondl is the top seed in the Missouri Valley Girls 14 Super this weekend at Nebraska Tennis Center. Two other Omaha players are seeded in the field of 32 - Courtney Warren is fourth and Emma Schelble is sixth.

Northey moves

Former Lincoln East No. 1 singles player Zach Northey is now living and training at the Advantage Tennis Academy in Irvine, Calif., becoming the eighth Lincoln junior player in the last 10 years to leave the state for full-time tennis training.

Northey quit the Spartan team Sept. 24, then flew to California the next day to visit the academy. The junior, who was second in the Nebraska Closed 18-and-under boys state singles championship this summer, finished the first academic quarter at East and moved to Irvine on Oct. 24.

Reach Ron Powell at 473-7437 or rpowell@journalstar.com.