While he didn't make the team this year, Croitoroo doesn't shy away from competition, and last year, the Columbia Table Tennis Club, of which Croitoroo is a member, placed sixth at Nationals.
"Nationals is a fun tournament. All the kids I grew up playing with and competing against are there, which makes it even better," Croitoroo said.
Croitoroo has been playing table tennis since he was 14, finding enjoyment in the complexity of a game that demands lightning-quick reactions.
"The ball is very light, which allows it to rotate at the speed of a jet engine, making the game extremely difficult because of the blinding speed at which shots are hit. It's like playing chess, boxing, and running at the same time—there's offense, defense, anticipation, trickery, deception, and endurance," Croitoroo said.
The most challenging aspect of the game is not physical, but mental, as each player's personality is expressed differently in their style of play.
"It's difficult to explain the intricacies of the game, but table tennis has taught me persistence, hard work, and mental stability—valuable skills that will last me a lifetime," Croitoroo said.
These skills have no doubt helped ease Croitoroo's transition to Columbia, which has required balancing his schoolwork, social life, and table tennis practices and competitions. But he doesn't let it slow him down, continuing to participate in a weekly tournament at Spin, where the top 12 players in New York compete for $500.
"I play simply because I love it," Croitoroo said.
The Columbia Table Tennis Club is currently accepting new members of all skill levels, and interested students are encouraged to attend a practice for more information. Practices are held on Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., and on Sundays from 5 - 7 p.m., at the basketball court in Dodge Gym.
Related Content
Video of the 2014 TMS College Table Tennis Championships (Mark Croitoroo vs. Ohmo Zavala); International Table Tennis Federation; April 5, 2014
