AOW: James Stout

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) — Local eighth grader James Stout is one of the rising stars of table tennis in the Midwest.  His dad, also a successful tennis player, started James out at a young age, and he’s been competing for the past six years.

“There is about 8,000 to 10,000 tournament players right now, and I am hoping he can get up to be one of the best in the state and one of the best in the Midwest,” said James’ dad, David.

The Creekside Middle schooler trains several days a week at the Monon Community Center in Carmel. And he hones his skills against guys three or four times his age. It’s helped him rapidly improve.

“They always have an advantage because they are taller and can move better, so it makes me have to work more, instead of playing kids,” said James.

“We all have been working with James, and he is starting to come on and beat all of us everyone now,” said Brian Bartley, one of James’ table tennis opponents.  “He’s a lot of fun to play with, because his game keeps stepping up.  Every time he gets better, so that’s a lot of fun for us”