Samoa's Steffie Carruthers wins pro event
Samoan tennis player Steffi Carruthers created history last week, becoming the first Pacific Oceania player to win a professional tournament.
Playing in the ITF US$10,000 doubles event at Manzanillo, Mexico, the 22 year old and her Mexican doubles partner, Carolina Betancourt, prevailed in a dramatic third set tie-break in the championship match against the American pairing of Tornado Black and Dasha Ivanova 6-1 4-6 12-10.
Carruthers says finally winning that Championship Point was such an amazing feeling and she will continue to work hard and strive for more success on tour.
She also thanked everyone for the support she is receiving from her tennis family in the Pacific.
Playing in the ITF US$10,000 doubles event at Manzanillo, Mexico, the 22 year old and her Mexican doubles partner, Carolina Betancourt, prevailed in a dramatic third set tie-break in the championship match against the American pairing of Tornado Black and Dasha Ivanova 6-1 4-6 12-10.
Carruthers says finally winning that Championship Point was such an amazing feeling and she will continue to work hard and strive for more success on tour.
She also thanked everyone for the support she is receiving from her tennis family in the Pacific.
Samson Satele returns to where it all began for him in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins
Samson H. Satele (born November 29, 1984) plays Center for the Miami Dolphins. He played his College ball at the University of Hawaii and was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Satele has also played for the Oakland Raiders and the Indianapolis Colts.
Satele was selected in the 60th overall player taken in the 2007 Draft. This first round pick was acquired from the New England Patriots as part of the deal that sent Wes Welker to New England. As a rookie in 2007, he started all four preseason games and all 16 regular season games at Center. He was selected to the all-rookie team by the Dallas Morning News, NFL.com's Gil Brandt and Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America, among others. During the 2008 season, Satele again started all 16 games at center but also played guard late in the season. In the 2009 offseason, the Dolphins signed free agent center Jake Glover, prompting speculation Satele could moved to right guard. Instead, the Dolphins traded him to the Oakland Raiders on March 23, 2009 in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft and a swap of picks in the fourth round.
During his tenure with the Raiders in 2009 Satele replaced Grove as the starting center, playing in 12 games. Although Satele was demoted at the beginning of the 2010 season in favor of rookie Jared Valdeer, that lasted only one game. Satele got his job back the following week and started the rest of the season (15 games) for a team with their best won-lost record at 8-8 since winning the AFC championship game during the 2002 season, playing on a good offensive line between Robert Gallery (12 games) at left guard and Cooper Carlisle (all 16 games) at right guard, helping Darren McFadden obtain 1,157 yards rushing and 5.2 yards per rush, the offense scoring 410 points.
On opening day of the 2011 season, Satele played between Carlisle and a new left guard, rookie Stefen Wisniewski, helping Darren McFadden and others rush for 190 yards in a win against the Denver Broncos. The three linemen stayed together all year, the two guards starting all 16 games and Satele missing only one. Yet the offense was inconsistent, scoring a lower number of points (359), and the team stayed at 8-8.
On March 21, 2012, Satele signed with the Indianapolis Colts to replace long-time incumbent Jeff Saturday at center. On March 6, 2014, he was released by the Colts.
Satele's second stint with Dolphins started on August 2, 2014, Satele re-signed with the Miami Dolphins after starting center Mike Pouncey underwent surgery. Satele's play at center was such that, when Pouncey returned in week 6 of the 2014 season, Satele remained at center and Pouncey played right guard.
Satele was selected in the 60th overall player taken in the 2007 Draft. This first round pick was acquired from the New England Patriots as part of the deal that sent Wes Welker to New England. As a rookie in 2007, he started all four preseason games and all 16 regular season games at Center. He was selected to the all-rookie team by the Dallas Morning News, NFL.com's Gil Brandt and Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America, among others. During the 2008 season, Satele again started all 16 games at center but also played guard late in the season. In the 2009 offseason, the Dolphins signed free agent center Jake Glover, prompting speculation Satele could moved to right guard. Instead, the Dolphins traded him to the Oakland Raiders on March 23, 2009 in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft and a swap of picks in the fourth round.
During his tenure with the Raiders in 2009 Satele replaced Grove as the starting center, playing in 12 games. Although Satele was demoted at the beginning of the 2010 season in favor of rookie Jared Valdeer, that lasted only one game. Satele got his job back the following week and started the rest of the season (15 games) for a team with their best won-lost record at 8-8 since winning the AFC championship game during the 2002 season, playing on a good offensive line between Robert Gallery (12 games) at left guard and Cooper Carlisle (all 16 games) at right guard, helping Darren McFadden obtain 1,157 yards rushing and 5.2 yards per rush, the offense scoring 410 points.
On opening day of the 2011 season, Satele played between Carlisle and a new left guard, rookie Stefen Wisniewski, helping Darren McFadden and others rush for 190 yards in a win against the Denver Broncos. The three linemen stayed together all year, the two guards starting all 16 games and Satele missing only one. Yet the offense was inconsistent, scoring a lower number of points (359), and the team stayed at 8-8.
On March 21, 2012, Satele signed with the Indianapolis Colts to replace long-time incumbent Jeff Saturday at center. On March 6, 2014, he was released by the Colts.
Satele's second stint with Dolphins started on August 2, 2014, Satele re-signed with the Miami Dolphins after starting center Mike Pouncey underwent surgery. Satele's play at center was such that, when Pouncey returned in week 6 of the 2014 season, Satele remained at center and Pouncey played right guard.
Samoan Tennis Player Steffi Carruthers is training in Florida
Steffi Carruthers of Samoa is playing her best professional tennis since she became a ranked player. She has been training in Florida now for the past two years. She has played in a number of tournaments as she works her way to the money ranks. She is currently ranked 708. In 2013 she was ranked 1070 as a singles player. Her Career Singles record in ATP*/WTA Tour and ITF Pro Circuit main draw is 15 wins-27 losses.
In a recent interview she revealed the following about herself.
My name is Steffi Faasusivaitele Hearthington Carruthers. I’m 21 years young and have been playing Pro Tennis just over a year now. I was named after one of the greats of Women’s Tennis, Steffi Graf. I was born and raised in Samoa. I have four beautiful sisters and no brothers. Besides playing tennis, I like being outdoors playing other sports or teaching tennis to the young kids in my mother’s tennis academy in Samoa. I’m a strong Christian believer and love to be around family and loved ones, especially my nieces and nephews.
My family motivates me a lot, along with the people of Samoa, and my tennis family in Samoa. I love and enjoy my sport and reaching new heights. I like to experience new places while playing tennis and that motivates me. I’m known by family and friends as an active person; never resting, always training and working on something to improve my game. I’m easily motivated on my own with my own desires and goals as well.
In a recent interview she revealed the following about herself.
My name is Steffi Faasusivaitele Hearthington Carruthers. I’m 21 years young and have been playing Pro Tennis just over a year now. I was named after one of the greats of Women’s Tennis, Steffi Graf. I was born and raised in Samoa. I have four beautiful sisters and no brothers. Besides playing tennis, I like being outdoors playing other sports or teaching tennis to the young kids in my mother’s tennis academy in Samoa. I’m a strong Christian believer and love to be around family and loved ones, especially my nieces and nephews.
My family motivates me a lot, along with the people of Samoa, and my tennis family in Samoa. I love and enjoy my sport and reaching new heights. I like to experience new places while playing tennis and that motivates me. I’m known by family and friends as an active person; never resting, always training and working on something to improve my game. I’m easily motivated on my own with my own desires and goals as well.
When she was asked what gets her pumped up for a game she said "Definitively some good pump-up music gets me started. Imagining myself playing great tennis on the court also gets me pumped. In general I’m usually always pumped haha."
As for what her goals are and where she is heading her reply was: " (To) Continue training hard and play as many Pro tournaments in 2015 and hopefully do well and get my ranking up to play Grand Slams. Also, one of my biggest goals is to participate in Rio Olympics 2016 and being the first Samoan/Pacific Islander to do so in tennis."
When asked if she had any advice for young up and coming Samoan athletes she confidently responded: "I have three: 1. Dream Big and follow your dreams, 2. Be confident and believe in yourself and 3. Enjoy the journey and always give back the Glory to God.
The above interview was conducted by Honestine Paala-Fraser for What it Do? Urban Island review website.
As for what her goals are and where she is heading her reply was: " (To) Continue training hard and play as many Pro tournaments in 2015 and hopefully do well and get my ranking up to play Grand Slams. Also, one of my biggest goals is to participate in Rio Olympics 2016 and being the first Samoan/Pacific Islander to do so in tennis."
When asked if she had any advice for young up and coming Samoan athletes she confidently responded: "I have three: 1. Dream Big and follow your dreams, 2. Be confident and believe in yourself and 3. Enjoy the journey and always give back the Glory to God.
The above interview was conducted by Honestine Paala-Fraser for What it Do? Urban Island review website.