2026 Premier Division

  • As the son of Italian immigrants, Mario grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Whether it was a puck, a soccer ball, or a basketball, Mario has always been a natural athlete. He received a college scholarship for basketball and played premier recreational soccer until he was 48 years old.

    Mario ran a Honda/Acura dealership in his hometown for 27 years and received the Honda Council of Excellence Award for his leadership and service to Honda and Acura. In 2018, he moved to the United States to be with his wife, Jen. Together, in 2019, they founded their business, The Boschi Group—a career coaching and consulting company.

    In 2020, Mario received his Level II Pickleball Instructor Certification (IPTPA). He has taught in Steamboat Springs and Denver, Colorado, and is currently the Head Pro for Pickleball at Club Greenwood in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Additionally, he teaches clinics in Key Biscayne, Florida, and Aspen, Colorado. In 2023, Mario and Jen joined the NPL family as co-owners of the Denver Iconics, and Mario currently plays on the team.

  • Gina Cilento, a top-ranked Senior Pro, is a powerhouse on the pickleball court and a game-changer in the sport. An APP multi-medalist in gold, silver, and bronze, she is a Parrot Paddle-sponsored player and a standout on the APP Senior Pro Pickleball Tour, competing in mixed doubles, women’s doubles, and singles. Gina was the first-round female draft pick for the Indy Drivers in 2024 for the National Pickleball League and will be playing with the Denver Iconics for the 2025 season.

    Off the court, Gina is just as unstoppable. A top-tier coach with a waitlist for her sold-out clinics, she co-founded The Pickleball Lab in Cedarburg, WI—a private indoor training facility where players sharpen their skills. She also recently launched The Pick, an athleisure apparel line offering stylish and comfortable pickleball-inspired fashion.

    Gina keeps it real as the co-host of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil, a bold and unfiltered podcast powered by Empower Pickleball, where she tackles the sport’s toughest topics and explores how to make pickleball fun again. She’s also shaking up the corporate world with team-building events, leading exclusive pickleball getaways with Sandals Resorts, and breaking barriers with the Peaceful Prisons Project—using pickleball to build connections between inmates and correctional staff.

    From the court to the airwaves and beyond, Gina is on a mission to grow the game, challenge the status quo, and make pickleball more exciting for everyone.

  • Dan Granot began playing pickleball in 2018 and quickly established himself as one of the top senior players in the country. Since 2019, Dan has consistently maintained a national top-10 APP ranking and continues to compete at the highest level in both men’s and mixed doubles.

    His career highlights include finalist finishes at the US Open, becoming the first player in 2025 to be ranked inside the top 10 in both the APP Champions and Masters divisions for men’s and mixed doubles, and winning the 2026 US Open Men’s Doubles title in the Masters division.

    Dan is proud to return to the Denver Iconics, the team where he began his NPL career during the league’s inaugural season.

  • Ann Corson is a near-native Coloradan who has spent most of her life in Colorado. A lifelong athlete, she grew up playing a variety of sports before tennis became her passion, eventually leading her to compete at the Division I level for Colorado State University.

    After spending time on both coasts in her 20s, Ann returned home to Colorado, where she raised her three children. She was introduced to pickleball in 2022 and was quickly drawn to the sport’s unique mix of community, competition, and athletic challenge.

    Today, Ann is a pickleball teaching pro at 3rd Shot Pickleball in Longmont, Colorado, where she enjoys helping players grow their skills and love for the game. In 2024, she competed at the Houston Combine and won the event, earning her spot on the Denver Iconics. Proud to represent her hometown team, Ann is excited to return for her second consecutive season as a Denver Iconic.

  • Taylor Tom was born and raised in Kaneohe, Hawaii. He is a husband, father of two daughters, and has worked as an optometrist in private practice for more than 22 years.

    Taylor’s athletic journey began in tennis. He won the 1994 Hawaii High School Tennis State Championship before competing at the Division I level for the University of Washington.

    Following college, Taylor transitioned to powerlifting and became a professional competitor. In 2007, he set a world-record bench press of 520 pounds in the 165-pound weight class.

    Taylor eventually returned to tennis and began coaching his daughters, both of whom have become accomplished players. His older daughter won the 2024 Hawaii High School Tennis State Championship and currently competes at Grinnell College. His younger daughter won the state championship in both 2025 and 2026 and is entering her senior year at Punahou School.

    Pickleball is the latest chapter in Taylor’s competitive journey. He is honored to represent the Denver Iconics and excited to bring his athletic experience, strength, and competitive spirit to the team.

  • Tao Thongvanh brings a lifetime of racquet sport experience to the Denver Iconics. Born in Laos and raised in France, Tao was a professional table tennis player who competed in the French National League from 1988 to 1991. His background also includes more than 25 years of tennis, along with experience in badminton and paddle tennis.

    Tao discovered pickleball out of curiosity in late 2014 and quickly rose to a 5.0 rating within just a few months. He began competing in 2015 and has continued to build an impressive career in the sport. An Engage-sponsored player since 2016, Tao’s pickleball highlights include winning the 2017 USAPA Nationals Men’s 35+ championship, earning multiple gold medals at PPA, APP, and Senior Pro Tour events, and capturing two NPL titles.

    Tao is proud to bring his elite racquet sport background, competitive drive, and championship experience to the Denver Iconics.

  • Ayumi brings a fierce competitive spirit and the determination she describes as her Japanese samurai mindset to the Denver Iconics.

    She played competitive tennis in Japan until the age of 21, highlighted by winning the Tokyo Junior Singles Championship. Although injuries forced her to step away from tennis, her passion for racquet sports never faded.

    After moving to the United States, Ayumi discovered pickleball and quickly embraced the sport. She now plays nearly every day at an indoor club in the Bay Area and gained league experience as a substitute during the 2025 season.

    Ayumi is proud to join the Denver Iconics and looks forward to competing alongside her new teammates while bringing energy, resilience, and determination to the court.

  • Graham McDaniel grew up in the south Denver area and has spent a lifetime competing, coaching, and helping others achieve their goals through sports. A standout athlete at Littleton High School, Graham earned First Team All-Colorado honors in football in 1991 before continuing his career at the University of Northern Colorado, where he was a two-time All-Conference wide receiver in 1994 & 1995.

    Today, Graham is one of the top Senior Pro pickleball players in Northern Colorado. He is also a teaching professional at Zero Zero Two in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he enjoys sharing his passion for the game and helping players of all ages and skill levels improve both their performance and enjoyment of pickleball.

    Known for promoting the principles of "Responsible Pickleball," Graham believes success comes from smart decision-making, continuous learning, and building a positive community around the sport.

    When he's not competing or teaching, Graham enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Jen, and their four wonderful children. He is proud to represent the Denver Iconics and looks forward to contributing both on and off the court.

  • Robin Stenger is a former competitive tennis player from the Las Vegas, Nevada, area and is entering her second season in the Champions Series Pickleball League.

    A lifelong racquet-sport athlete, Robin’s passion for competition continues to motivate her to improve her game while embracing the camaraderie and community that make pickleball special.

    Robin is proud to represent the Denver Iconics and looks forward to contributing to the team’s success while supporting her teammates both on and off the court.