Hey there! I am a country boy from Topeka, KA, shout out to Top City! My twin brother and I dabbled in so many sports between soccer, football, basketball, and track (pole vaulting!). I fell in love with tennis at the age of 14 and had a successful career with my twin, winning high school State Championships, our college’s first Conference Championship, and taking the Hawks to their first-ever National Tournament. Injuries and multiple desk jobs caused me to put the racquet down. But I found pickleball once Chicken N Pickle opened, and I immediately enjoyed competing at a high level. I met Yana shortly after and fell for her hard. She took me out of my Covid basement to travel, compete, and GO FOR IT together!
Meet the Team
The Players
Benny Newell
Topeka, KA
Age34
DBL DUPR6.32
More about Benny Newell
Last show you binged and loved?
Alice in Borderland
Favorite movie of all time?
Happy Gilmore – Funny, light-hearted, and sends the message that if you fight with your heart, good things happen!
The meal you love the most?
Country-fried steak with mashed potatoes and white gravy
Two songs you can’t live without?
3 AM – Matchbox 20; Pretender – Foo Fighters
What’s a snapshot of a moment in your life that brings you true joy?
Winning the last doubles match alongside my twin brother and solidifying a long career together at DII Nationals. And watching Yana (my wife) achieve any of her goals. ☺
Daniel De La Rosa
San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Age30
DBL DUPR6.64
More about Daniel De La Rosa
I was born and raised in San Luis Potosí, Mexico and played various sports all my life. But most notably, I became the first Mexican to become #1 in the world for racquetball and I still compete today, but for Team USA now. I also have two beautiful children, Raelynn and DJ, and a rat dog named Butters. I’m excited to represent my new home state of Texas with my team: the Austin Pickleballers!
Last show you binged and loved?
Hell’s Kitchen
Favorite movie of all time?
Top Gun Maverick
The meal you love the most?
Chicken Mole
Two songs you can’t live without?
Til’ You Can’t by Cody Johnson; Ya Superame (Grupo Firme)
What’s a snapshot of a moment in your life that brings you true joy?
Holding my kids after winning the US Open in racquetball.
Milan Rane
Boca Raton, FL
Age24
DBL DUPR5.56
More about Milan Rane
Hi! I am a 24-year-old from Boca Raton, FL. Fun fact! I am of Indian origin and was born and raised in Saudi Arabia. I played tennis growing up, then decided not to play in college and became a fitness instructor instead. I found Pickleball in 2020 and on accident when my brother asked me to fill in for his group of four as he was moving from Florida to Boston. I immediately fell in love with it and just happened to already be in the best location for high-level pickleball. I recently quit my corporate job at Overstock, and I work for JOOLA and grow their advertising program and play more pickleball! Just like everyone else here… I’m obsessed!
Last show you binged and loved?
Break Point
Favorite movie of all time?
Soul Surfer
The meal you love the most?
Tacos
Two songs you can’t live without?
Anything by Justin Bieber is a banger.
What’s a snapshot of a moment in your life that brings you true joy?
Hmmm! Playing pickleball with my South Florida fam and having my friends and family cheer me on at MLP 🙂
Tammy Emmrich
Cape Town, South Africa
Age30
DBL DUPR5.42
More about Tammy Emmrich
My name is Tamaryn Emmrich, I am 30 years old, born in Cape Town, South Africa. I currently reside in Bradenton, FL. We moved to America when I was a young girl & tennis rapidly became my life, reaching 160 in the world WTA singles and 4 in the world as an ITF junior. Late 2022, after having my daughter and things getting back to normal after the pandemic, I wanted to get back in shape & discovered pickleball. My life quickly changed & my husband Martin and I are all in on this journey. I am so excited to represent the Ballers & have a great season together!
Last show you binged and loved?
Selling Sunset and Below Deck!
Favorite movie of all time?
Pirates of the Caribbean
The meal you love the most?
Napoleon style pizza especially on the Amalfi Coast
Two songs you can’t live without?
Last night by Morgan Wallen & Moooom on repeat by my daughter
What’s a snapshot of a moment in your life that brings you true joy?
Marrying my incredible husband Martin, tied with giving birth to our daughter Gabriella! In sports, I would say playing the Williams sisters in Fed Cup!
The Coach
Meet the Coach:
Wes Gabrielsen
More about Wes Gabrielsen
Wes has been competing in open/pro level pickleball since 2012 and has loved every minute of his pickleball journey. He is an 11x USAPA National Champion, 6x Canadian National Champion, 2x U.S. Open Champion and a 2x Tournament of Champions winner. He also participated in MLP as a player during the 2022 season. In addition to his playing career he is also a full-time pickleball instructor based out of RECS in Clackamas, Oregon. Wes was recently inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2022.
Last show you binged and loved?
Full Swing (Netflix)
Favorite movie of all time?
Groundhog Day
The meal you love the most?
Tofu Pad Thai
Two songs you can’t live without?
Peg (Steely Dan) and Hanuman (Rodrigo y Gabriela)
What’s a snapshot of a moment in your life that brings you true joy?
Being able to enjoy playing pickleball with my family and the joy it brings them
The Owners
The general manager for the Austin Pickleballers is Charles Kiley.
The owners group is made of six folks who love pickleball, good music, and tacos.
Steve Alley
Charles Attal
Brené Brown
Charles Kiley
Mellie Price
Charlie Walker
