Fundraiser for former West Holmes tennis player
Anybody who has played tennis with or against Mary Nelson, or anybody who just wishes to show his or her support, is invited to a fundraising social event at Central Tennis and Fitness Club – located at 1578 Mechanicsburg Road, in Wooster – on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 3-6 p.m.
Court times will be available on a rotating basis for those who wish to play in honor of Mary Nelson, with fees waived in lieu of donations to the Nelson family. Everybody attending is also encouraged to bring a drink or side dish to share with those socializing in the lounge area overlooking the courts below.
While ninth-year West Holmes tennis coach Jason Otto said, "She is showing remarkable signs of improvement," on Monday, Nov. 7, Nelson remained in a coma after suffering serious head injuries during the accident.
That accident occurred only two weeks after Mary Nelson's younger sister, and current West Holmes junior, Rachel Nelson won the Division II State singles championship down in Plain City last month.
Mary and Rachel Nelson reached the State semifinals as a doubles pairing back in 2009 and their brother, Danny Nelson is a two-time District qualifying doubles player who will return to first singles as a junior for the Knights this spring.
Nelson's aunt, Vicki (Nelson) Dunbar, is one of only five, three-time State champions in the history of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) State tournament, having won the AAA singles title in 1977, '78 and '79.
Mary Nelson is currently a sophomore at Mars Hill College and a member of the Lady Lions tennis team.