Current:Home > MyPickleball has taken the nation by storm. Now, it's become a competitive high-school sport -PureWealth Academy
Pickleball has taken the nation by storm. Now, it's become a competitive high-school sport
View
Date:2025-04-12 13:43:57
Pickleball has continued its rise as one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States among a younger demographic: high schoolers.
Several high schools in Maryland have added the racket sport as an option for athletes, allowing their students to join the pickleball team and compete against other schools.
Recently, Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore and Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, Maryland faced off in one of the first head-to-head, competitive pickleball matchups between high schools. Mount Saint Joseph won their first match and are preparing to face River Hill, a high school in Clarksville, Maryland.
"We want to work towards that multi-athlete. Kids that are playing baseball, lacrosse and tennis, to give them something to do in the winter. This is the sport," Mount Saint Joseph coach Michael Stromberg said.
Pickleball:Playing the sport on the Goodyear Blimp at 1,500 feet high? Yep, and here are the details
How popular is pickleball?
According to a study released by the Association of Pickeball Professionals (APP) in March, 48.3 million Americans played pickleball between March 2022 and March 2023. That's nearly 19% of the total adult population, using numbers from the 2020 U.S. Census.
A previous study from APP in August 2022 said that 36.5 million people had played pickleball in the 12 months prior. Their latest data from March suggests the racket sport saw an increase of more than 30% in participation over the course of about six months.
The same study from March listed New York, Los Angeles and Dallas-Fort Worth as pickleball's most popular locations, with 11.3%, 9.6% and 5.2% of their respective populations having played over the previous year.
The average age of pickleball players is 34.8 years old, according to that same study, with more than 70% of "avid" players between the ages of 18 and 44.
veryGood! (53771)
Related
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Sister Wives' Meri Brown Jokes About Catfishing Scandal While Meeting Christine's Boyfriend
- Jeopardy! Clue Shades Travis Kelce's Relationship With Taylor Swift
- California air regulators to vote on contentious climate program to cut emissions
- US Open player compensation rises to a record $65 million, with singles champs getting $3.6 million
- PETA raises tips reward to $16,000 for man who dragged 2 dogs behind his car in Georgia
- Christina Hall Officially Replaces Ex Josh Hall With Ex-Husband Ant Anstead on The Flip Off
- Mexico appears to abandon its ‘hugs, not bullets’ strategy as bloodshed plagues the country
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ready to campaign for Harris-Walz after losing out for spot on the ticket
- Study: Weather extremes are influencing illegal migration and return between the U.S. and Mexico
Ranking
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- American Eagle’s Dropped Early Holiday Deals – Save Up to 50% on Everything, Styles Start at $7.99
- Does Florida keeping Billy Napier signal how college football will handle coaching changes?
- Horoscopes Today, November 7, 2024
- Olympic women's basketball bracket: Schedule, results, Team USA's path to gold
- Taylor Swift’s Historic 2025 Grammy Nominations Prove She’s Anything But a Tortured Poet
- Ex-aide to NYC Mayor Eric Adams in plea discussions with federal prosecutors
- 2024 Election: Kamala Harris' Stepdaughter Ella Emhoff Breaks Silence on Donald Trump’s Win
Recommendation
Clay Aiken's son Parker, 15, makes his TV debut, looks like his father's twin
Investigation into Liam Payne's death prompts 3 arrests, Argentinian authorities say
American Eagle’s Dropped Early Holiday Deals – Save Up to 50% on Everything, Styles Start at $7.99
Mikey Madison wanted to do sex work 'justice' in 'Anora.' An Oscar could be next.
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
Study: Weather extremes are influencing illegal migration and return between the U.S. and Mexico
Plea deals for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, accomplices are valid, judge says
Tia Mowry on her 'healing journey,' mornings with her kids and being on TV without Tamera