Orest Stanko, the commentator at this weekend's National Championships, was signaling something to me as I was warming up for the finals against Jessi Lelliot and Matty Z. He held up two open hands, and raised his eyebrows as if looking for approval for something. I was confused at first, initially considering the possibility that he may be giving me high fives (or a high ten) from the broadcast booth. But then I finally realized what he really meant - he was asking if this would be my 10th National Championship title, if I happen to win. Since I had already done the math earlier in the week, when I was looking for something extra to get me motivated for the weekend, I immediately gave him the thumbs up confirming that it would be!

The match was pretty tight, in particular the first set, but Ahren and I managed to walk away with the 2007 title, 2-0 (21-19, 21-16). Ten championships, I suppose, has a nice ring to it, and many people think that it came fairly easily to me, but it actually took a number of tries before I finally got it right. Thanks to my partners over the years, in particularly the ones that played a huge role in helping me grab the titles (Child - 7, Cadieux - 2, and Van Huizen - 1)!

Writing this blog got me thinking about all the championships that have been held in Canada over the years, and here is an unofficial list of our results over the years. For all the statistics geeks out there (like me), here are some numbers to check out:

Ahren at the National Championships:

1996 Mooney's Bay, Ottawa, 9th place - partner, Djordje Ljubicic

1997 Sauble Beach, 5th place - partner, Frank Blasi

1998 Grand Bend, 9th place - partner, Jody Holden

1999 Wasage Beach, 2nd place - partner, Mike Chaloupka

2000 Wasaga Beach, 4th place - partner, Mike Chaloupka

2001 Wasaga Beach, Did not Play (DNP)

2002 Wasaga Beach, 3rd place - partner, Evie Matthews

2003 Wasaga Beach, 5th place - partner, Evie Matthews

2004 Wasaga Beach, 2nd place - partner, Dave Holmes

2005 Wasaga Beach, 1st place - partner, Mark Heese

2006 Ashbridge's Bay, Toronto, 5th place - partner, Conrad Leinemann

2007 Ashbridge's Bay, Toronto, 1st place - partner, Mark Heese

Total - 2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze, 6 other top-ten finishes

Mark at the National Championships:

1989 Balmy Beach, Toronto, 13th place - partner, Fred Koops (Yes, the Overkill Owner!) (Champion Ed Drakich/John Canjar,  2nd John May/Andy Kohl)

1990 Kit's Beach, Vancouver, DNP (Champion Ed Drakich/John Canjar, 2nd John May/Garth Pischke)

1991 Wasaga Beach, 2nd place - partner, Paul Cox (Champion Brian Gatzke/ Garth Pischke)

1992 Ashbridge's Bay, Toronto, 2nd place - partner, Paul Cox (Champion John Child/Ed Drakich)

1993 Ashbridge's Bay, Toronto, 13th place - partner, James Olejnik (Champion Paul Cox/Mike Chaloupka)

1994 Spanish Banks, Vancouver, 2nd place - partner, Frank Blasi (Champion Jody Holden/Dave Holmes)

1995 Sauble Beach, DNP (Champion Jody Holden/Conrad Leinemann)

1996 Mooney's Bay, Ottawa, 1st place - partner, John Child (vs. Jody Holden/Conrad Leinemann)

1997 Sauble Beach, 1st place - partner, John Child (vs. Jody Holden/Conrad Leinemann)

1998 Grand Bend, 1st place - partner, John Child (vs. Dan Lewis/Brian Gatzke)

1999 Wasaga Beach, 1st place - partner, John Child (vs. Ahren Cadieux/Mike Chaloupka)

2000 Wasaga Beach, 1st place - partner, John Child (vs. Jason Kruger/Evie Matthews)

2001 Wasaga Beach, 1st place - partner, John Child (vs. Jody Holden/Conrad Leinemann)

2002 Wasaga Beach, 2nd place - partner, John Child (Champion Jody Holden/Conrad Leinemann)

2003 Wasaga Beach, 1st place - partner, John Child (vs. Jody Holden/Conrad Leinemann)

2004 Wasaga Beach, 9th place - partner, John Child (withdraw due to injury to John, dislocated shoulder) (Champion Mingo Miguel/Darren Goss, 2nd Ahren Cadieux/Dave Holmes)

2005 Wasaga Beach, 1st place - partner, Ahren Cadieux (vs. Mingo Miguel/Darren Goss)

2006 Ashbridge's Bay, Toronto - 1st place - partner, Rich Van Huizen (vs. Ray Sewell/Scott Lahey)

2007 Ashbridge's Bay, Toronto - 1st place - partner, Ahren Cadieux (vs. Jesse Lelliot/Matt Zbyszewski)