My first table tennis tournament was the St. Joseph Valley Open in March 2007. I left that tournament with an initial rating of 995 with the US Table Tennis Association. I've fancied myself a 1350-1400 player, so I've been trying to push my rating up.

I actually dropped 11 points in my second tournament, the Indiana Open last September. That was a bummer. But in last November's Highland Open, I jumped 97 points, to 1081. Then in March of this year, I gained another 26 points in Indianapolis.

So I entered this year's St. Joseph Valley tournament--by far the biggest tournament I play in--with a rating of 1107. Based on my play, I knew my rating would jump. I just didn't know how much.

The USTTA finally had the new ratings posted yesterday. I jumped 191 points! I couldn't believe it! 191!

So now I'm at 1298. My brother Rick gained 38 points, and now stands at 1310. So I'm creeping up on him.

Rick's rating stood at 873 after last year's St. Joseph Valley tournament, over 100 points below me. But he gained a whopping 248 points at the Indiana Open in September (while I dropped 11), and another 151 at Highland. Those were incredible jumps. His 38 points in this past tournament is still very commendable, but pales against those earlier leaps. Now it's my turn.

Next up: the Indiana Open in September.