The Dominican Republic is named for Saint Dominic of Caleruega, Spain, a Catholic priest who died 800 years ago after founding the Dominican Order. (Fun fact: he was also the patron saint of astronomers!) Now, in the Caribbean nation's capital city of Santo Domingo which, like so many things, bears his name, the top youth in the western hemisphere are gathered for the ITTF Pan American Youth Championships. So far, everything is going according to plan for Team USA. With girls and boys competing in both junior (under 19) and cadet (under 15) divisions, each US team which has commenced play has thus far met or exceeded expectations. The top-seeded US junior girls, led by Amy Wang (pictured), swept their qualifying group to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. There, they defeated the host nation, 3-0, to earn a spot in tomorrow's semifinal with sixth-seeded Puerto Rico. In parallel fashion, the top-seeded US junior boys dusted their qualifying group. In the quarterfinals, they overcame Mexico, 3-1, to secure a semifinal berth against #6 Brazil. The US cadet girls, also seeded #1, also ran roughshod over their qualifying group. Receiving a bye to the semis, they steamrolled Guatemala 3-0 to book a matchup in the finals with Canada, seeded ninth. The US cadet boys, breaking the trend with a #3 seeding, played like top dogs. After maintaining the American standard of sweeping their qualifying group, they took on top-seeded Brazil in the quarterfinals. There, they upset the prescribed order with a 3-2 upset, with Daniel Tran securing the tiebreaking fifth match over Felipe Doti Arado. In the semifinals, the US cadet boys pulled off another upset, stunning second-seeded Peru, 3-1. In the finals, they face the host nation, who themselves defied the odds to reach the finals with a #10 seeding. In an island named for the patron saint of astronomers, the stars (and stripes) are shining bright enough to illuminate the Caribbean night.

More at ITTF