14-Year-Old Kelly Goodnow Makes History as Youngest Gold Medalist in PPA Tour

Historic Achievement in Pickleball

Kelly Goodnow has made a remarkable mark in pickleball by becoming the youngest athlete to win a gold medal in the PPA Tour's history. At just 14 years old, she triumphed at the Boise PPA Challenger in Idaho, clinching the women's doubles title with her partner Carlota Trevino. This achievement breaks the previous record held by world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters since 2021.

Goodnow reached this milestone at the age of 14 years and three months, surpassing Waters' record of 14 years and six months, which was set during the 2021 Takeya Showcase when Waters won the women's singles title.

This significant accomplishment occurred during a weekend that showcased young talent in the sport. While Waters was leading the New Jersey 5s to victory at the MLP Austin Super Sunday Belt, Goodnow was making headlines over 1,600 miles away in Boise.

In their journey to the title, Goodnow and Trevino achieved an impressive semifinal win against the top-seeded duo of Jalina Ingram and Lindsey Newman, battling through three games to secure their spot in the finals. They carried their winning momentum into the championship match, defeating Chloe Igleski and Marianna Petrei with scores of 11-5 and 11-7, thus earning the gold medal and marking a significant milestone in their tournament.

This victory represents Goodnow's first title on the PPA Tour, and her rise in the sport has been notable in recent months. Earlier this year, she showcased her potential by winning a silver medal at the Black Desert PPA Challenger alongside fellow young player Elsie Hendershot. This time, she achieved even greater success.

"It's just so awesome to finally be able to get a gold," Goodnow expressed after her victory in Boise. Her win highlights the increasing impact of teenage players in professional pickleball, and with this record, she has firmly positioned herself as a rising star to watch in the future. The Boise title not only marks her first gold medal but also secures her legacy in the PPA Tour's history books.