Table tennis took over a North Auburn gymnasium Saturday and Sunday, with more than 100 participants at the inaugural Gold Country Open.

The atmosphere at Saturday’s USA Table Tennis event was sometimes electric as San Jose’s Barney Reed took top singles honors in a final against Sacramento’s James Therriault, with pingpong balls speeding through the air at blurring speed and spinning thousands of rpms as they changed direction on the table.

On Sunday, recreational players took to the tables in a non-sanctioned, open event that drew participants of all ages to the Regional Park gym.

Tournament Director Bill Kochenderfer said that with an entry list of more than 100 and a roster of players that includes about 45 students from five high school teams, the event was “an unqualified success.”

“For the kids, I’ve been seeing an explosion of interest,” Kochenderfer said.

The event was organized by the Auburn Table Tennis Club, Nevada County’s Sierra Table Tennis Club and Auburn Recreation District. The Auburn club, which was formed three years ago, plays its games at the Auburn Recreation District’s Maidu Center on Mondays and Wednesdays.

— Gus Thomson