Chris Crowther had two surprising wins to take the Seattle Open, a Tier 4 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), on the weekend. Crowther beat Jack Huczek in the final, 11-5, 11-5, 11-3, and Shane Vanderson, 11-1, 11-2, 11-4, in semi-final. Huczek and Vanderson were the top two seeds of the tournament with Crowther as third seed.
Huczek was hampered by an injury to his quadricep that kept him out of the US National Doubles Championship. Nonetheless, it's a great victory for Crowther.
Vanderson defeated Taylor Knoth in the third place match, 7-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-2, 11-5. Huczek defeated Knoth in the other semi-final.
Grant Barker was the winner of the Winter Classic, another Tier 4 IRT event, in Overland Park, Kansas. Barker defeated Kevin Buehler in the final, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2.
In the semis, Barker beat Daniel Pflaster, 12-10, 11-5, 11-7, while Buehler needed a tie-breaker to get past Travis Kern, winning 11-7, 5-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-7.
Coming up this weekend is the San Diego Open, a Tier 3 IRT event. Crowther and Vanderson are both entered in that event, and joining them are Rocky Carson and Mitch Williams.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
WPRO - Latest rankings
The latest Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) rankings have been released, and there's little change in them. Only one change in the top 10, in fact, as Angela Grisar and Jennifer Saunders have flipped places with Grisar now 7th and Saunders 8th.
Cristina Amaya and Doreen Fowler have also flipped places with Amaya now 19th and Fowler 20th.
WPRO Rankings - February 14, 2009
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria, Mexico 1297.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich, USA 1267.9
3 Cheryl Gudinas, USA 628.2
4 Kerri Wachtel, USA 593.5
5 Kristen Bellows, USA 576
6 Adrienne Fisher, USA 362.9
7 Angela Grisar, Chile 245
8 Jennifer Saunders, Canada 234.25
9 Jo Shattuck, USA 216.23
10 T.J. Baumbaugh, USA 214
11 Veronica Sotomayor, Ecuador 198
12 Krystal Csuk, USA 196
13 Keely Franks, USA 180.25
14 Diane Moore, USA 164.25
15 Samantha Salas, Mexico 133.05
16 Vivian Gomez, USA 128.50
17 Jackie Paraiso, USA 120.00
18 Susy Acosta-Mendoza, Mexico 112.70
19 Cristina Amaya, Colombia 106.50
20 Doreen Fowler, USA 98.75
Follow the bouncing ball....
Cristina Amaya and Doreen Fowler have also flipped places with Amaya now 19th and Fowler 20th.
WPRO Rankings - February 14, 2009
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria, Mexico 1297.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich, USA 1267.9
3 Cheryl Gudinas, USA 628.2
4 Kerri Wachtel, USA 593.5
5 Kristen Bellows, USA 576
6 Adrienne Fisher, USA 362.9
7 Angela Grisar, Chile 245
8 Jennifer Saunders, Canada 234.25
9 Jo Shattuck, USA 216.23
10 T.J. Baumbaugh, USA 214
11 Veronica Sotomayor, Ecuador 198
12 Krystal Csuk, USA 196
13 Keely Franks, USA 180.25
14 Diane Moore, USA 164.25
15 Samantha Salas, Mexico 133.05
16 Vivian Gomez, USA 128.50
17 Jackie Paraiso, USA 120.00
18 Susy Acosta-Mendoza, Mexico 112.70
19 Cristina Amaya, Colombia 106.50
20 Doreen Fowler, USA 98.75
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, February 15, 2010
Weekend Round Up
This weekend had two Tier 4 events on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). Eric Desrochers won the 36th Keystone Classic in Winnipeg, Manitoba defeating Lee Connell in the final, 11-4, 11-8, 5-11, 7-11, 11-4.
Connell was also runner up in last year's Keystone, losing to Tim Landeryou in three straight games. After going down two games on Sunday, he was determined to not have that happen again, and with some great serve returns Connell was able to get back into the match, winning games three and four to force a tie-breaker.
But in game five Desrochers was able to get the momentum back and win the match. Both players made several great diving gets and spectacular shots.
In the semi-finals, Desrochers defeated Colin Mohr, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6, and Connell beat Kurtis Cullen, 11-0, 11-3, 11-5.
In Arlington Heights, Illinois, Andrew Price defeated Geoff Goldblatt, 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, to win the 2010 St Valentine Day Massacre. Price won his semi-final by default, as Juan Martinez was a no show for their match. In the other semi, Goldblatt beat Zach Archer, 12-10, 11-3, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Connell was also runner up in last year's Keystone, losing to Tim Landeryou in three straight games. After going down two games on Sunday, he was determined to not have that happen again, and with some great serve returns Connell was able to get back into the match, winning games three and four to force a tie-breaker.
But in game five Desrochers was able to get the momentum back and win the match. Both players made several great diving gets and spectacular shots.
In the semi-finals, Desrochers defeated Colin Mohr, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6, and Connell beat Kurtis Cullen, 11-0, 11-3, 11-5.
In Arlington Heights, Illinois, Andrew Price defeated Geoff Goldblatt, 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, to win the 2010 St Valentine Day Massacre. Price won his semi-final by default, as Juan Martinez was a no show for their match. In the other semi, Goldblatt beat Zach Archer, 12-10, 11-3, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8.
Follow the bouncing ball....
USA National Doubles Championships - Final
Ben Croft and Mitch Williams won the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships in Tempe, Arizona Sunday and gained a measure of revenge for last year's collapse against Rocky Carson and Jack Huczek, when they had match point and a large lead in the tie-breaking game only to let it slip away.
But that didn't happen this year, as Croft and Williams defeated Carson and Josh Tucker in two straight games 15-13, 15-8, in the final. It's Croft and Williams's second National Doubles title. Their first was in 2007.
For the third consecutive year Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz defeated Rhonda Rajsich and Janel Tisinger, 15-8, 15-7, to win the women's US Team Qualifying division. It's the fourth consecutive title for arguably the best women's doubles players ever.
It's the 6th year in a row Ruiz has put her name on the trophy. She won in 2006 and 2005 with Laura Fenton.
Paraiso won the three years before that, from 2002-2004, with Kim Russell, so for nine consecutive years either Paraiso or Ruiz or both have claimed the US Doubles Championship. Over her career, Paraiso has won 13 doubles titles dating back to 1990.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's Final
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams d. Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker, 15-13, 15-8
Women's Final
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz d. Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger, 15-8, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
But that didn't happen this year, as Croft and Williams defeated Carson and Josh Tucker in two straight games 15-13, 15-8, in the final. It's Croft and Williams's second National Doubles title. Their first was in 2007.
For the third consecutive year Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz defeated Rhonda Rajsich and Janel Tisinger, 15-8, 15-7, to win the women's US Team Qualifying division. It's the fourth consecutive title for arguably the best women's doubles players ever.
It's the 6th year in a row Ruiz has put her name on the trophy. She won in 2006 and 2005 with Laura Fenton.
Paraiso won the three years before that, from 2002-2004, with Kim Russell, so for nine consecutive years either Paraiso or Ruiz or both have claimed the US Doubles Championship. Over her career, Paraiso has won 13 doubles titles dating back to 1990.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's Final
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams d. Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker, 15-13, 15-8
Women's Final
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz d. Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger, 15-8, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, February 13, 2010
USA National Doubles Championships - SF results UPDATED
Rocky Carson has got back to the final at the 2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championship in Tempe, Arizona despite having to change partners at the last minute, when Jack Huczek was unable to play. But Josh Tucker has filled in admirably and Saturday he and Carson defeated Jason Mannino and Eric Muller in the first semi-final, 15-11, 13-15, 11-7. The win reportedly qualifies Tucker to play on the US National Team for the first time in his career.
In the tie-breaker, Mannino and Muller took the early lead at 4-0 and 6-3. But they were unable to finish off Carson and Tucker. At 6-6, there was a long rally that ended with Tucker skipping the ball, and it seemed like that might be the break Mannino and Muller needed to pull out the match. But it was not to be.
Carson and Tucker will face 2nd seeds Ben Croft and Mitch Williams who beat 3rd seeds Jason Thoerner and Shane Vanderson, 15-2, 15-13, in the other semi-final on Saturday. Carson and Huczek defeated Croft and Williams in last year's final.
In the women's US Team Qualifying division, current champions Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz had little difficulty in their semi-final match against Sheryl Lotts and Aubrey O'Brien, winning 15-5, 15-4. Thus, Paraiso and Ruiz will have a chance to defend their title on Sunday.
Rhonda Rajsich and Janel Tisinger, the 2nd seeds, are the only team left standing in the way of the champion's repeating. Rajsich and Tisinger easily disposed of 3rd seeds Krystal Csuk and Cheryl Gudinas, 15-5, 15-5.
You can view the action live on line via racquetballonline.tv. The women's final start time is 11:20 AM (Mountain time) Sunday with the men's final scheduled for 12:30 PM.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Matches
Men's
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker d. Jason Mannino & Eric Muller, 15-11, 13-15, 11-7
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams d. Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson, 15-2, 15-13
Final
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker vs. Ben Croft & Mitch Williams
Women's
Semi-finals
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz d. Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien, 15-5, 15-4
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger d. Krystal Csuk & Cheryl Gudinas, 15-5, 15-5
Final
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz vs. Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger
Follow the bouncing ball....
In the tie-breaker, Mannino and Muller took the early lead at 4-0 and 6-3. But they were unable to finish off Carson and Tucker. At 6-6, there was a long rally that ended with Tucker skipping the ball, and it seemed like that might be the break Mannino and Muller needed to pull out the match. But it was not to be.
Carson and Tucker will face 2nd seeds Ben Croft and Mitch Williams who beat 3rd seeds Jason Thoerner and Shane Vanderson, 15-2, 15-13, in the other semi-final on Saturday. Carson and Huczek defeated Croft and Williams in last year's final.
In the women's US Team Qualifying division, current champions Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz had little difficulty in their semi-final match against Sheryl Lotts and Aubrey O'Brien, winning 15-5, 15-4. Thus, Paraiso and Ruiz will have a chance to defend their title on Sunday.
Rhonda Rajsich and Janel Tisinger, the 2nd seeds, are the only team left standing in the way of the champion's repeating. Rajsich and Tisinger easily disposed of 3rd seeds Krystal Csuk and Cheryl Gudinas, 15-5, 15-5.
You can view the action live on line via racquetballonline.tv. The women's final start time is 11:20 AM (Mountain time) Sunday with the men's final scheduled for 12:30 PM.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Matches
Men's
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker d. Jason Mannino & Eric Muller, 15-11, 13-15, 11-7
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams d. Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson, 15-2, 15-13
Final
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker vs. Ben Croft & Mitch Williams
Women's
Semi-finals
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz d. Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien, 15-5, 15-4
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger d. Krystal Csuk & Cheryl Gudinas, 15-5, 15-5
Final
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz vs. Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger
Follow the bouncing ball....
USA National Doubles Championships - QFs
Jason Mannino and Eric Muller had the only upset on Friday, as the 5th seeds defeated 4th seeded Chris Crowther and Tim Doyle, 5-15, 15-12, 11-10 in the quarter finals of the US Team Qualifying division at the 2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championship in Tempe, Arizona.
Next up for Mannino and Muller in the semi-finals are top seeds Rocky Carson and Josh Tucker. They defeated Andy Hawthorne and Jeff Stark in the quarter finals, 15-6, 15-10.
In the other semi, 2nd seeds Ben Croft and Mitch Williams play 3rd seeds Jason Thoerner and Shane Vanderson. Croft and Williams beat Jeff Bell and Tom Fuhrman, 15-5, 15-10, while Thoerner and Vanderson defeated Dan Llacera and Mike Orr, 15-3, 15-5.
There was a match in the women's US Team Qualifying division also on Friday. Sheryl Lotts and Aubrey O'Brien defeated Lily Berry and Sharon Jackson, 15-4, 15-8, so it will fall to them to provide the first challenge for reigning champions Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz.
The semi final matches are Saturday afternoon, and you can view them live on line via racquetballonline.tv.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's
Quarter-finals
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker d. Andy Howthorne & Jeff Stark, 15-6, 15-10
Jason Mannino & Eric Muller d. Chris Crowther & Tim Doyle, 5-15, 15-12, 11-10
Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson d. Dan Llacera & Mike Orr, 15-3, 15-5
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams d. Jeff Bell & Tom Fuhrman, 15-5, 15-10
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker vs. Jason Mannino & Eric Muller
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams vs. Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson
Women's
First Round
Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien d. Lily Berry & Sharon Jackson, 15-4, 15-8
Semi-finals
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz vs. Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger vs. Krystal Csuk & Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball....
Next up for Mannino and Muller in the semi-finals are top seeds Rocky Carson and Josh Tucker. They defeated Andy Hawthorne and Jeff Stark in the quarter finals, 15-6, 15-10.
In the other semi, 2nd seeds Ben Croft and Mitch Williams play 3rd seeds Jason Thoerner and Shane Vanderson. Croft and Williams beat Jeff Bell and Tom Fuhrman, 15-5, 15-10, while Thoerner and Vanderson defeated Dan Llacera and Mike Orr, 15-3, 15-5.
There was a match in the women's US Team Qualifying division also on Friday. Sheryl Lotts and Aubrey O'Brien defeated Lily Berry and Sharon Jackson, 15-4, 15-8, so it will fall to them to provide the first challenge for reigning champions Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz.
The semi final matches are Saturday afternoon, and you can view them live on line via racquetballonline.tv.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's
Quarter-finals
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker d. Andy Howthorne & Jeff Stark, 15-6, 15-10
Jason Mannino & Eric Muller d. Chris Crowther & Tim Doyle, 5-15, 15-12, 11-10
Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson d. Dan Llacera & Mike Orr, 15-3, 15-5
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams d. Jeff Bell & Tom Fuhrman, 15-5, 15-10
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker vs. Jason Mannino & Eric Muller
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams vs. Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson
Women's
First Round
Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien d. Lily Berry & Sharon Jackson, 15-4, 15-8
Semi-finals
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz vs. Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger vs. Krystal Csuk & Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, February 12, 2010
USA National Doubles Championships - Men's 16s Results
The big news from Tempe, Arizona, site of the 2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championship, is that Jack Huczek is not in the tournament. He was scheduled to play with Rocky Carson but Carson is now playing with Josh Tucker. The Racquetball Blog doesn't know why there's been this change, but we're trying to find out.
Perhaps equally interesting Carson and Tucker maintained the #1 seeding given to Carson and Huczek, who were defending champions. Tucker's a very respectable player, but he wasn't part of the 2009 winning team and isn't #2 on the International Racquetball Tour, like Huczek. Thus, their seeding at #1 is questionable.
Nonetheless, Carson and Tucker won their first match, defeating Ken Angelocci and Andy Lewis, 15-2, 15-6, in the Round of 16 on Thursday. They will face Andy Hawthorne and Jeff Stark in the quarter finals, as Hawthorne and Stark defeated Craig Lane and Greg Solis, 15-2, 9-15, 11-3, in what was an slight upset by the seedings as Hawthorne and Stark are seeded 9th with Lane and Solis 8th.
The only other upset in the Round of 16 was 11th seed Dan Llacera and Mike Orr's victory over 6th seed Zach Apperson and Doug Ganim, 15-6, 15-12. Their quarter final match will be against 3rd seeds Jason Thoerner and Shane Vanderson, who defeated Todd Entrikin and Dale Valentine, 15-9, 15-13.
The quarter final matches begin late Friday afternoon, and the event is being streamed live via racquetballonline.tv.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's
Round of 16
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker d. Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis, 15-2, 15-6
Andy Howthorne & Jeff Stark d. Craig Lane & Greg Solis, 15-2, 9-15, 11-3
Jason Mannino & Eric Muller d. Anthony Herrera & Taylor Knoth, 15-7, 15-5
Chris Crowther & Tim Doyle d. Jansen Allen & Tony Carson, 8-15, 15-11, 11-1
Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson d. Todd Entrikin & Dale Valentine, 15-9, 15-13
Dan Llacera & Mike Orr d. Zach Apperson & Doug Ganim, 15-6, 15-12
Jeff Bell & Tom Fuhrman d. Shawn Royster & Cliff Swain, 15-11, 11-15, 11-6
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams d. Jonathan Dunn & Jason Geis, 12-15, 15-1, 11-1
Quarter-finals
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker vs. Andy Howthorne & Jeff Stark
Chris Crowther & Tim Doyle vs. Jason Mannino & Eric Muller
Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson vs. Dan Llacera & Mike Orr
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams vs. Jeff Bell & Tom Fuhrman
Follow the bouncing ball....
Perhaps equally interesting Carson and Tucker maintained the #1 seeding given to Carson and Huczek, who were defending champions. Tucker's a very respectable player, but he wasn't part of the 2009 winning team and isn't #2 on the International Racquetball Tour, like Huczek. Thus, their seeding at #1 is questionable.
Nonetheless, Carson and Tucker won their first match, defeating Ken Angelocci and Andy Lewis, 15-2, 15-6, in the Round of 16 on Thursday. They will face Andy Hawthorne and Jeff Stark in the quarter finals, as Hawthorne and Stark defeated Craig Lane and Greg Solis, 15-2, 9-15, 11-3, in what was an slight upset by the seedings as Hawthorne and Stark are seeded 9th with Lane and Solis 8th.
The only other upset in the Round of 16 was 11th seed Dan Llacera and Mike Orr's victory over 6th seed Zach Apperson and Doug Ganim, 15-6, 15-12. Their quarter final match will be against 3rd seeds Jason Thoerner and Shane Vanderson, who defeated Todd Entrikin and Dale Valentine, 15-9, 15-13.
The quarter final matches begin late Friday afternoon, and the event is being streamed live via racquetballonline.tv.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's
Round of 16
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker d. Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis, 15-2, 15-6
Andy Howthorne & Jeff Stark d. Craig Lane & Greg Solis, 15-2, 9-15, 11-3
Jason Mannino & Eric Muller d. Anthony Herrera & Taylor Knoth, 15-7, 15-5
Chris Crowther & Tim Doyle d. Jansen Allen & Tony Carson, 8-15, 15-11, 11-1
Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson d. Todd Entrikin & Dale Valentine, 15-9, 15-13
Dan Llacera & Mike Orr d. Zach Apperson & Doug Ganim, 15-6, 15-12
Jeff Bell & Tom Fuhrman d. Shawn Royster & Cliff Swain, 15-11, 11-15, 11-6
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams d. Jonathan Dunn & Jason Geis, 12-15, 15-1, 11-1
Quarter-finals
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker vs. Andy Howthorne & Jeff Stark
Chris Crowther & Tim Doyle vs. Jason Mannino & Eric Muller
Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson vs. Dan Llacera & Mike Orr
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams vs. Jeff Bell & Tom Fuhrman
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, February 11, 2010
USA National Doubles Championships - Men's 16s
The men's Round of 16 in the USA National Doubles Championship will go tonight in Tempe, Arizona. Last night Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis beat Brian Berkelhamer & Jorge Ortiz, 15-14, 15-9. Tonight Angelocci and Lewis will face top seeds Rocky Carson and Jack Huczek in the 16s.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's
Round of 16
Rocky Carson & Jack Huczek vs. Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis
Craig Lane & Greg Solis vs. Andy Howthorne & Jeff Stark
Jason Mannino & Eric Muller vs. Anthony Herrera & Taylor Knoth
Chris Crowther & Tim Doyle vs. Jansen Allen & Tony Carson
Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson vs. Todd Entrikin & Dale Valentine
Zach Apperson & Doug Ganim vs. Dan Llacera & Mike Orr
Jeff Bell & Tom Fuhrman vs. Shawn Royster & Cliff Swain
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams vs. Jonathan Dunn & Jason Geis
First Round
Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis d. Brian Berkelhamer & Jorge Ortiz, 15-14, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball....
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's
Round of 16
Rocky Carson & Jack Huczek vs. Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis
Craig Lane & Greg Solis vs. Andy Howthorne & Jeff Stark
Jason Mannino & Eric Muller vs. Anthony Herrera & Taylor Knoth
Chris Crowther & Tim Doyle vs. Jansen Allen & Tony Carson
Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson vs. Todd Entrikin & Dale Valentine
Zach Apperson & Doug Ganim vs. Dan Llacera & Mike Orr
Jeff Bell & Tom Fuhrman vs. Shawn Royster & Cliff Swain
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams vs. Jonathan Dunn & Jason Geis
First Round
Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis d. Brian Berkelhamer & Jorge Ortiz, 15-14, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
USA National Doubles Championships - Draws
The draws for the USA National Doubles Championship in Tempe, Arizona are now available, and we've got them below. Play in the men's National Team Qualifying division's Round of 16 will begin Thursday night with the exception of the play-in game between Brian Berkelhamer & Jorge Ortiz and Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis. They'll go at it on Wednesday night. The quarter finals will be on Friday with the semis and final on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
The women's draw, such as it is, has the play in game on Friday afternoon with the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon and the final on Sunday.
The men's draw is set up for a repeat of Rocky Carson and Jack Huczek versus Ben Croft and Mitch Williams, as those teams are seeded 1 and 2, respectively. But there are some other match-ups that look interesting as well.
For example, the team of Jason Thoerner and Shane Vanderson could meet Croft and Williams in the semi-finals, and that would be interesting.
Another potential match is Jason Mannino and Eric Muller versus Chris Crowther and Tim Doyle. It's a match that would pit a team of a current top 10 pros and a past doubles champion (Mannino and Muller, respectively) against another current top 10 pro and a former top 10 pro (Crowther and Doyle, respectively).
Perhaps the most attractive of the Round of 16 matches is Craig Lane and Greg Solis, excellent outdoor racquetball players, against Andy Hawthorne and Jeff Stark.
The women's title is likely Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz's to lose. They'll have fight with the winner of the match between Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger and Krystal Csuk & Cheryl Gudinas, and perhaps get tested by the winners of the two young teams competing in the play in match. But anything other than a Paraiso and Ruiz championship would be a surprise.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's
First Round
Brian Berkelhamer & Jorge Ortiz vs. Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis
Round of 16
Rocky Carson & Jack Huczek vs. Brian Berkelhamer & Jorge Ortiz or Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis
Craig Lane & Greg Solis vs. Andy Howthorne & Jeff Stark
Jason Mannino & Eric Muller vs. Anthony Herrera & Taylor Knoth
Chris Crowther & Tim Doyle vs. Jansen Allen & Tony Carson
Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson vs. Todd Entrikin & Dale Valentine
Zach Apperson & Doug Ganim vs. Dan Llacera & Mike Orr
Jeff Bell & Tom Fuhrman vs. Shawn Royster & Cliff Swain
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams vs. Jonathan Dunn & Jason Geis
Women's
First Round
Lily Berry & Sharon Jackson vs. Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien
Semi-finals
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz vs. Lily Berry & Sharon Jackson or Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger vs. Krystal Csuk & Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball....
The women's draw, such as it is, has the play in game on Friday afternoon with the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon and the final on Sunday.
The men's draw is set up for a repeat of Rocky Carson and Jack Huczek versus Ben Croft and Mitch Williams, as those teams are seeded 1 and 2, respectively. But there are some other match-ups that look interesting as well.
For example, the team of Jason Thoerner and Shane Vanderson could meet Croft and Williams in the semi-finals, and that would be interesting.
Another potential match is Jason Mannino and Eric Muller versus Chris Crowther and Tim Doyle. It's a match that would pit a team of a current top 10 pros and a past doubles champion (Mannino and Muller, respectively) against another current top 10 pro and a former top 10 pro (Crowther and Doyle, respectively).
Perhaps the most attractive of the Round of 16 matches is Craig Lane and Greg Solis, excellent outdoor racquetball players, against Andy Hawthorne and Jeff Stark.
The women's title is likely Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz's to lose. They'll have fight with the winner of the match between Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger and Krystal Csuk & Cheryl Gudinas, and perhaps get tested by the winners of the two young teams competing in the play in match. But anything other than a Paraiso and Ruiz championship would be a surprise.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's
First Round
Brian Berkelhamer & Jorge Ortiz vs. Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis
Round of 16
Rocky Carson & Jack Huczek vs. Brian Berkelhamer & Jorge Ortiz or Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis
Craig Lane & Greg Solis vs. Andy Howthorne & Jeff Stark
Jason Mannino & Eric Muller vs. Anthony Herrera & Taylor Knoth
Chris Crowther & Tim Doyle vs. Jansen Allen & Tony Carson
Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson vs. Todd Entrikin & Dale Valentine
Zach Apperson & Doug Ganim vs. Dan Llacera & Mike Orr
Jeff Bell & Tom Fuhrman vs. Shawn Royster & Cliff Swain
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams vs. Jonathan Dunn & Jason Geis
Women's
First Round
Lily Berry & Sharon Jackson vs. Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien
Semi-finals
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz vs. Lily Berry & Sharon Jackson or Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger vs. Krystal Csuk & Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball....
Happy Silver Anniversary Cliff Swain!
It was 25 years ago today that you won your first professional racquetball event: the $10,000 Tulsa Pro-Am Racquetball Championship, which was the fifth event on that season's Racquetball Manufacturers Association tour.
You were "a quiet college student" from Braintree, Mass., a "lanky lefthander" ranked 24th, who had never made it past the round of 16 previously. But the Tulsa courts were especially conducive to drive servers, because the front wall, as well as the back wall, was glass, so it was difficult to return the rocket serves you were hitting.
You beat Steve Lerner in the 32s, 11-10, 9-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-1, and Bret Harnett in the Round of 16, 11-3, 1-11, 11-4, 11-10. Then in the quarter-finals, you faced veteran Jerry Hilecher, who had defeated Mike Ray in the 16s. You won that in four games, 11-4, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4.
You split the first four games of the semi-final with Gerry Price, and in the tie-breaker Price, another hard serving player, got a 10-4 lead. You would have been excused for feeling that lead was insurmountable and giving in at that point. But you didn't. Three aces helped you come back and win the tie-breaker 11-10 and take the match, 11-7, 5-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-10, to advance to your first pro final.
You started the final against Scott Oliver in the same way as you had game 5 of the semi: down big early. Oliver led 8-1, but again you fought back and won 11-10. Four for four in games decided by one point.
But as in the semis, you dropped games two and three, 11-9, 11-6, before righting the ship and winning game four, 11-5, to set up another tie-breaker. But in this tie-breaker, you took the big lead, dominating play for a 9-1 advantage. Lights out. The party's over, yes? No.
Oliver switched things up, and hit high lob z serves to you. It must have bamboozled you as the score went from Oliver serving 1-9 to 10-9, match point. Perhaps no other sport can have such severe shifts of momentum.
You fought off match point twice, and then back in the service box again brought out the rocket serve and hit two "perfect drives into the crotch of the right side wall" that "brought the already frenzied crowd to their feet." The Tulsa, Oklahoma crowd gave you and Oliver a long standing ovation prior to the awards ceremony.
Your amazing drive serve and mental toughness that won you all five of the 11-10 games you played in Tulsa were characteristics that would mark your long and illustrious career.
Tulsa might not be one of the storied places in racquetball, like Memphis, Houston, and San Diego. But it does hold a special place in racquetball history, and surely a special place in your heart.
Happy Anniversary Mr. Swain.
Tulsa Pro-Am Racquetball Championship
February 6-10, 1985
Finals
Cliff Swain d. Scott Oliver, 11-10, 9-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-10
Semi-finals
Oliver d. Gregg Peck, 11-4, 1-11, 11-3, 11-6
Swain d. Gerry Price, 11-7, 5-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-10
Quarter-finals
G. Peck d. Doug Cohen, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 5-11, 11-3
Oliver d. Ruben Gonzalez, 11-9, 1-11, 11-9, 11-2
Swain d. Jerry Hilecher, 11-4, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4
Price d. Dave Peck, 11-3, 11-5, 11-9
Source: International Racquetball, v. 3, #3, 1985
Follow the bouncing ball....
You were "a quiet college student" from Braintree, Mass., a "lanky lefthander" ranked 24th, who had never made it past the round of 16 previously. But the Tulsa courts were especially conducive to drive servers, because the front wall, as well as the back wall, was glass, so it was difficult to return the rocket serves you were hitting.
You beat Steve Lerner in the 32s, 11-10, 9-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-1, and Bret Harnett in the Round of 16, 11-3, 1-11, 11-4, 11-10. Then in the quarter-finals, you faced veteran Jerry Hilecher, who had defeated Mike Ray in the 16s. You won that in four games, 11-4, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4.
You split the first four games of the semi-final with Gerry Price, and in the tie-breaker Price, another hard serving player, got a 10-4 lead. You would have been excused for feeling that lead was insurmountable and giving in at that point. But you didn't. Three aces helped you come back and win the tie-breaker 11-10 and take the match, 11-7, 5-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-10, to advance to your first pro final.
You started the final against Scott Oliver in the same way as you had game 5 of the semi: down big early. Oliver led 8-1, but again you fought back and won 11-10. Four for four in games decided by one point.
But as in the semis, you dropped games two and three, 11-9, 11-6, before righting the ship and winning game four, 11-5, to set up another tie-breaker. But in this tie-breaker, you took the big lead, dominating play for a 9-1 advantage. Lights out. The party's over, yes? No.
Oliver switched things up, and hit high lob z serves to you. It must have bamboozled you as the score went from Oliver serving 1-9 to 10-9, match point. Perhaps no other sport can have such severe shifts of momentum.
You fought off match point twice, and then back in the service box again brought out the rocket serve and hit two "perfect drives into the crotch of the right side wall" that "brought the already frenzied crowd to their feet." The Tulsa, Oklahoma crowd gave you and Oliver a long standing ovation prior to the awards ceremony.
Your amazing drive serve and mental toughness that won you all five of the 11-10 games you played in Tulsa were characteristics that would mark your long and illustrious career.
Tulsa might not be one of the storied places in racquetball, like Memphis, Houston, and San Diego. But it does hold a special place in racquetball history, and surely a special place in your heart.
Happy Anniversary Mr. Swain.
Tulsa Pro-Am Racquetball Championship
February 6-10, 1985
Finals
Cliff Swain d. Scott Oliver, 11-10, 9-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-10
Semi-finals
Oliver d. Gregg Peck, 11-4, 1-11, 11-3, 11-6
Swain d. Gerry Price, 11-7, 5-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-10
Quarter-finals
G. Peck d. Doug Cohen, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 5-11, 11-3
Oliver d. Ruben Gonzalez, 11-9, 1-11, 11-9, 11-2
Swain d. Jerry Hilecher, 11-4, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4
Price d. Dave Peck, 11-3, 11-5, 11-9
Source: International Racquetball, v. 3, #3, 1985
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Canada Names Pan Am Championship Team
Racquetball Canada has announced its team for the 2010 Pan American Championships to held March 24 to April 4 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
Playing singles for Canada will be Vincent Gagnon, Brandi Jacobson Prentice, Kris Odegard, and Jennifer Saunders. It's the first appearance for Jacobson Prentice on Canada's senior national team.
The doubles teams will be veteran Mike Green and another rookie Tim Landeryou on the men's side and Genevieve Brodeur and Frederique T. Lambert on the women's side.
Eric Desrochers and Christine Richardson have been named as alternates in case any of the team is unable to make the trip.
Canada's coaches will be Michel Gagnon and Loren Prentice.
Last year, Canada earned three bronze medals at the Pan American Championships in Cali, Columbia. Odegard and Lambert took bronze in singles and Josée Grand'Maître and Véronique Guillemette got bronze in women's doubles.
Canada's 2010 Pan American Championship Team
Men
Singles - Kris Odegard (Saskatoon, Sask.) & Vincent Gagnon (Montreal, Que.)
Doubles - Mike Green (Hamilton, Ont.) & Tim Landeryou (Saskatoon, Sask.)
Women
Singles - Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Montreal, Que.) & Jennifer Saunders (Winnipeg, Man.)
Doubles - Genevieve Brodeur (Sherbrooke, Que.) & Frederique T. Lambert (Montreal, Que.)
Substitutes
Eric Desrochers (Burlington, Ont.) & Christine Richardson (Regina, Sask.)
Coaches
Michel Gagnon (Longueuil, Que.) & Loren Prentice (Saskatoon, Sask.)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Playing singles for Canada will be Vincent Gagnon, Brandi Jacobson Prentice, Kris Odegard, and Jennifer Saunders. It's the first appearance for Jacobson Prentice on Canada's senior national team.
The doubles teams will be veteran Mike Green and another rookie Tim Landeryou on the men's side and Genevieve Brodeur and Frederique T. Lambert on the women's side.
Eric Desrochers and Christine Richardson have been named as alternates in case any of the team is unable to make the trip.
Canada's coaches will be Michel Gagnon and Loren Prentice.
Last year, Canada earned three bronze medals at the Pan American Championships in Cali, Columbia. Odegard and Lambert took bronze in singles and Josée Grand'Maître and Véronique Guillemette got bronze in women's doubles.
Canada's 2010 Pan American Championship Team
Men
Singles - Kris Odegard (Saskatoon, Sask.) & Vincent Gagnon (Montreal, Que.)
Doubles - Mike Green (Hamilton, Ont.) & Tim Landeryou (Saskatoon, Sask.)
Women
Singles - Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Montreal, Que.) & Jennifer Saunders (Winnipeg, Man.)
Doubles - Genevieve Brodeur (Sherbrooke, Que.) & Frederique T. Lambert (Montreal, Que.)
Substitutes
Eric Desrochers (Burlington, Ont.) & Christine Richardson (Regina, Sask.)
Coaches
Michel Gagnon (Longueuil, Que.) & Loren Prentice (Saskatoon, Sask.)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, February 8, 2010
USA National Doubles Championships
The USA National Doubles Championship is the big event this coming weekend. It'll be held at the Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The winners will be the qualifiers for the US National Team, and as it's a World Championships year that would mean a trip to Korea come August wearing the stars and stripes.
Men's US Team Qualifying
You could excuse Ben Croft and Mitch Williams if they want to forget what happened in Tempe last year, as they lost to Rocky Carson and Jack Huczek in the final, despite leading 10-2 in the tie-breaker. Losses like that gotta hurt.
It was Carson and Huczek's fifth title together. They won in 2008 and from 2004 to 2006. Croft and Williams won in 2007.
Thus, if they are betting on this in Las Vegas, they probably have the odds on a rematch for the finals come Sunday.
But there are other players who'll be looking to mess with the Vegas line, including several who'll be looking to turn back time.
For example, Jason Thoerner, who hasn't played any International Racquetball Tour (IRT) main events this season but is one of the current current World Champions in doubles (with Williams), will be there partnering with Shane Vanderson.
But going back further Eric Muller, USA Doubles Champion in 1991 and 1993 with John Ellis, is playing with Jason Mannino. From even further back, Doug Ganim a four time winner with Dan Obremski (1986, 1987, 1989 and 1998) will be in action with young Zach Apperson.
Finally, Cliff Swain will be trying to add a doubles title, which would be his first, to arguably the best career record in racquetball. Swain's partner will be Shawn Royster.
With 34 players entered, there will be 17 teams vying for the title and a chance to represent the USA at the World Championships.
Seventeen teams is a decent field, but not a huge one. Unless you compared it to the women's field.
Women's US Team Qualifying
There are a mere 5 teams - 10 players - in the Women's US Team Qualifying draw! Thus, the women's team representing the USA in Korea may do so on the basis of winning only two matches. Yikes!
The Racquetball Blog has gone on about how a US national team coach should be concerned about the lack of elite American women players, but if you needed more convincing this draw should do it. Further consider that 40% the field is over 30 and 20% over 40 (doesn't that sound so much better than 4 and 2, respectively?).
Of course, Vegas would have some of those older women winning on Sunday, so maybe the US coaches aren't concerned.
But frankly, this is sad.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson
Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis
Zach Apperson & Doug Ganim
Jeff Bell & Tom Fuhrman
Brian Berkelhamer & Jorge Ortiz
Rocky Carson & Jack Huczek
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams
Chris Crowther & Tim Doyle
Jonathan Dunn & Jason Geis
Todd Entrikin & Dale Valentine
Andy Howthorne & Jeff Stark
Anthony Herrera & Taylor Knoth
Craig Lane & Greg Solis
Dan Llacera & Mike Orr
Jason Mannino & Eric Muller
Shawn Royster & Cliff Swain
Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson
Women's
Lily Berry & Sharon Jackson
Krystal Csuk & Cheryl Gudinas
Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger
Follow the bouncing ball....
Men's US Team Qualifying
You could excuse Ben Croft and Mitch Williams if they want to forget what happened in Tempe last year, as they lost to Rocky Carson and Jack Huczek in the final, despite leading 10-2 in the tie-breaker. Losses like that gotta hurt.
It was Carson and Huczek's fifth title together. They won in 2008 and from 2004 to 2006. Croft and Williams won in 2007.
Thus, if they are betting on this in Las Vegas, they probably have the odds on a rematch for the finals come Sunday.
But there are other players who'll be looking to mess with the Vegas line, including several who'll be looking to turn back time.
For example, Jason Thoerner, who hasn't played any International Racquetball Tour (IRT) main events this season but is one of the current current World Champions in doubles (with Williams), will be there partnering with Shane Vanderson.
But going back further Eric Muller, USA Doubles Champion in 1991 and 1993 with John Ellis, is playing with Jason Mannino. From even further back, Doug Ganim a four time winner with Dan Obremski (1986, 1987, 1989 and 1998) will be in action with young Zach Apperson.
Finally, Cliff Swain will be trying to add a doubles title, which would be his first, to arguably the best career record in racquetball. Swain's partner will be Shawn Royster.
With 34 players entered, there will be 17 teams vying for the title and a chance to represent the USA at the World Championships.
Seventeen teams is a decent field, but not a huge one. Unless you compared it to the women's field.
Women's US Team Qualifying
There are a mere 5 teams - 10 players - in the Women's US Team Qualifying draw! Thus, the women's team representing the USA in Korea may do so on the basis of winning only two matches. Yikes!
The Racquetball Blog has gone on about how a US national team coach should be concerned about the lack of elite American women players, but if you needed more convincing this draw should do it. Further consider that 40% the field is over 30 and 20% over 40 (doesn't that sound so much better than 4 and 2, respectively?).
Of course, Vegas would have some of those older women winning on Sunday, so maybe the US coaches aren't concerned.
But frankly, this is sad.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson
Ken Angelocci & Andy Lewis
Zach Apperson & Doug Ganim
Jeff Bell & Tom Fuhrman
Brian Berkelhamer & Jorge Ortiz
Rocky Carson & Jack Huczek
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams
Chris Crowther & Tim Doyle
Jonathan Dunn & Jason Geis
Todd Entrikin & Dale Valentine
Andy Howthorne & Jeff Stark
Anthony Herrera & Taylor Knoth
Craig Lane & Greg Solis
Dan Llacera & Mike Orr
Jason Mannino & Eric Muller
Shawn Royster & Cliff Swain
Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson
Women's
Lily Berry & Sharon Jackson
Krystal Csuk & Cheryl Gudinas
Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, February 5, 2010
IRT Rankings - February 1, 2010
Another edition of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) rankings has been issued, but there's only one change in the top 10, as Kris Odegard and Alvaro Beltran have switched places with Odegard now in 10th and Beltran in 11th as a result of not playing this season due to injury.
In fact, no one else in the top 20 has even changed points, which suggests these rankings might not have taken into account last weekend's events, particularly the Lewis Drug Pro Am, won by Rocky Carson.
Remaining Schedule
There are five main events left on the 2009-2010 IRT season schedule. The Florida Spring Break event is next from March 11-14 in Sarasota, Florida. That's followed by the IRT Network Open in St Louis from March 25-28.
There are two events in April also with the Mexico Open in Tijuana April 15-18 followed by the South Carolina Open in Greenville April 23-25.
The season is slated to wrap up in Chicago in May with the Motorola IRT Pro Nationals, but the exact date has not been set yet.
IRT Rankings (as of February 1, 2010)
Rank - Player - Points - Previous Rank
1 Kane WASELENCHUK - 4309 - 1
2 Jack HUCZEK - 3293 - 2
3 Rocky CARSON - 2786 - 3
4 Jason MANNINO - 2359 - 4
5 Shane VANDERSON - 2209 - 5
6 Mitch WILLIAMS - 1909 - 6
6 Chris CROWTHER - 1909 - 6
8 Ben CROFT - 1782 - 8
9 Andy HAWTHORNE - 1620 - 9
10 Kris ODEGARD - 1181 - 11
11 Alvaro BELTRAN - 1163 - 10
12 Javier MORENO - 1107 - 12
13 Juan HERRERA - 1035 - 13
14 Travis WOODBURY - 945 - 14
15 Alejandro LANDA - 924 - 15
16 Anthony HERRERA - 884 - 16
17 Charlie PRATT - 846 - 17
18 Polo GUTIERREZ - 817 - 18
19 Hiroshi SHIMIZU - 773 - 19
20 Mike GREEN - 747 - 20
Follow the bouncing ball....
In fact, no one else in the top 20 has even changed points, which suggests these rankings might not have taken into account last weekend's events, particularly the Lewis Drug Pro Am, won by Rocky Carson.
Remaining Schedule
There are five main events left on the 2009-2010 IRT season schedule. The Florida Spring Break event is next from March 11-14 in Sarasota, Florida. That's followed by the IRT Network Open in St Louis from March 25-28.
There are two events in April also with the Mexico Open in Tijuana April 15-18 followed by the South Carolina Open in Greenville April 23-25.
The season is slated to wrap up in Chicago in May with the Motorola IRT Pro Nationals, but the exact date has not been set yet.
IRT Rankings (as of February 1, 2010)
Rank - Player - Points - Previous Rank
1 Kane WASELENCHUK - 4309 - 1
2 Jack HUCZEK - 3293 - 2
3 Rocky CARSON - 2786 - 3
4 Jason MANNINO - 2359 - 4
5 Shane VANDERSON - 2209 - 5
6 Mitch WILLIAMS - 1909 - 6
6 Chris CROWTHER - 1909 - 6
8 Ben CROFT - 1782 - 8
9 Andy HAWTHORNE - 1620 - 9
10 Kris ODEGARD - 1181 - 11
11 Alvaro BELTRAN - 1163 - 10
12 Javier MORENO - 1107 - 12
13 Juan HERRERA - 1035 - 13
14 Travis WOODBURY - 945 - 14
15 Alejandro LANDA - 924 - 15
16 Anthony HERRERA - 884 - 16
17 Charlie PRATT - 846 - 17
18 Polo GUTIERREZ - 817 - 18
19 Hiroshi SHIMIZU - 773 - 19
20 Mike GREEN - 747 - 20
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Weekend Round Up
There were a few pro events on the weekend. The Racquetball Blog's put together the following summary of the results.
Wilson Tour For Hope - Cincinnati, Ohio
A Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) satellite event was held in Cincinnati, and top seed Rhonda Rajsich won by defeating 2nd seed Cheryl Gudinas in the final, 11-9, 12-10, 11-5. In the semi-finals, Rajsich beat Sharon Jackson, 11-8, 11-1, 11-5 and Gudinas got past Adrienne Fisher, 11-2, 11-7, 6-11, 11-0.
Cincinnati was also a Tier 4 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event, and the top seed, Brian Simpson, also won. But the other top seeds didn't fare so well.
Simpson defeated 7th seed Jonathan Doyle, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6 in the final after beating 5th seed Chris Watchtel in the semis, 11-7, 11-6, 11-3. Doyle took out 2nd seed Mike Dennison, 4-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-9, in the quarter finals. and then defeated 11th seed Andrew Price in the semis, 7-11, 13-11, 11-1, 4-11, 11-9.
Lewis Drug Pro Am - Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Rocky Carson won the Tier 2 IRT Lewis Drug Pro Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He defeated Ben Croft in the final, 12-10, 11-3, 10-12, 11-4. Croft caused the big upset of the tournament in the semi-finals, when he defeated Jack Huczek, 12-10, 11-13, 11-13, 12-10, 11-8.
Carson defeated Shane Vanderson, 11-13, 11-13, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4, in the other semi-final.
Carson and Huczek teamed up to win doubles, defeating Croft and Vanderson in the final, 15-13, 15-4. They beat Andy Hawthorne and Troy Stallings, 15-6, 15-10 in the semis, while Croft and Vanderson defeated Alejandro Herrera and Ruben Gonzalez, 15-11, 15-9.
Hawthorne and Stallings won the 3rd place match over Herrera and Gonzalez, 15-4, 7-15, 11-9.
Wichita Open - Wichita, Kansas
John Cole won the Wichita Open, a Tier 4 IRT event. He beat Brad Guidry in the final. In the semis, Cole, the top seed, defeated Craig Diehl, and Guidry took out Brian Watson.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wilson Tour For Hope - Cincinnati, Ohio
A Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) satellite event was held in Cincinnati, and top seed Rhonda Rajsich won by defeating 2nd seed Cheryl Gudinas in the final, 11-9, 12-10, 11-5. In the semi-finals, Rajsich beat Sharon Jackson, 11-8, 11-1, 11-5 and Gudinas got past Adrienne Fisher, 11-2, 11-7, 6-11, 11-0.
Cincinnati was also a Tier 4 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event, and the top seed, Brian Simpson, also won. But the other top seeds didn't fare so well.
Simpson defeated 7th seed Jonathan Doyle, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6 in the final after beating 5th seed Chris Watchtel in the semis, 11-7, 11-6, 11-3. Doyle took out 2nd seed Mike Dennison, 4-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-9, in the quarter finals. and then defeated 11th seed Andrew Price in the semis, 7-11, 13-11, 11-1, 4-11, 11-9.
Lewis Drug Pro Am - Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Rocky Carson won the Tier 2 IRT Lewis Drug Pro Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He defeated Ben Croft in the final, 12-10, 11-3, 10-12, 11-4. Croft caused the big upset of the tournament in the semi-finals, when he defeated Jack Huczek, 12-10, 11-13, 11-13, 12-10, 11-8.
Carson defeated Shane Vanderson, 11-13, 11-13, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4, in the other semi-final.
Carson and Huczek teamed up to win doubles, defeating Croft and Vanderson in the final, 15-13, 15-4. They beat Andy Hawthorne and Troy Stallings, 15-6, 15-10 in the semis, while Croft and Vanderson defeated Alejandro Herrera and Ruben Gonzalez, 15-11, 15-9.
Hawthorne and Stallings won the 3rd place match over Herrera and Gonzalez, 15-4, 7-15, 11-9.
Wichita Open - Wichita, Kansas
John Cole won the Wichita Open, a Tier 4 IRT event. He beat Brad Guidry in the final. In the semis, Cole, the top seed, defeated Craig Diehl, and Guidry took out Brian Watson.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, February 1, 2010
Racquetball Canada Selection Event
Vincent Gagnon and Jennifer Saunders were the big winners as Racquetball Canada's second National Team Selection Event concluded Sunday in Brossard, Quebec, just outside of Montreal. Gagnon and Saunders went undefeated on the weekend.
Gagnon beat top seed and current Canadian Champion Kris Odegard, 12-15, 15-10, 11-9, Mike Green, 15-11, 15-3, and Tim Landeryou, 15-5, 15-4. In doing so, Gagnon should have earned himself a spot on the team that will represent Canada in Honduras at the Pan American Championships.
Saunders defeated Brandi Jacobson Prentice, 15-12, 15-6, Josée Grand'Maître, 15-2, 15-5, and Frédérique Lambert, 15-10, 15-0, to win the event.
Jacobson Prentice's and Landeryou's performances in Brossard should also have got them enough points to qualify for Honduras. If so, both will be representing Canada for the first time as senior players. They both went to the World Junior Championships on Team Canada several times.
2010 Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event
Brossard, Quebec
Men’s Results
1. Vincent Gagnon (Montreal, QC)
2. Kris Odegard (Saskatoon, SK)
3. Mike Green (Hamilton, ON)
4. Tim Landeryou (Saskatoon, SK)
5. Corey Osborne (Penetanguishene, ON)
6. Eric Desrochers (Burlington, ON)
7. Lee Connell (Saskatoon, SK)
8. Francis Guillemette (Legardeur, QC)
9. Nathaniel Husulak (Saskatoon, SK)
10. Tommy Murray (Baie-comeau,QC)
11. Pedro Castro(Brossard, QC)
12. Conrad Cole (Belle River, ON)
13. Josh Keil (Antigonish, NS)
14. Sebastien Boissonneault (Burnaby, BC)
15. James Slamko (Edmonton, AB)
16. Kurtis Cullen (Brandon, MB)
Women’s Results
1. Jennifer Saunders (Winnipeg, MB)
2. Josée Grand'Maître (Longueil, QC)
3. Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Montreal, QC)
4. Frederique Lambert (Montreal, QC)
5. Christine Richardson (Regina, SK
6. Genevieve Brodeur (Sherbrooke, QC)
7. Brigitte Richard (Saint-basile-le-grand, QC)
8. Valerie Fallu (Brossard, QC)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Gagnon beat top seed and current Canadian Champion Kris Odegard, 12-15, 15-10, 11-9, Mike Green, 15-11, 15-3, and Tim Landeryou, 15-5, 15-4. In doing so, Gagnon should have earned himself a spot on the team that will represent Canada in Honduras at the Pan American Championships.
Saunders defeated Brandi Jacobson Prentice, 15-12, 15-6, Josée Grand'Maître, 15-2, 15-5, and Frédérique Lambert, 15-10, 15-0, to win the event.
Jacobson Prentice's and Landeryou's performances in Brossard should also have got them enough points to qualify for Honduras. If so, both will be representing Canada for the first time as senior players. They both went to the World Junior Championships on Team Canada several times.
2010 Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event
Brossard, Quebec
Men’s Results
1. Vincent Gagnon (Montreal, QC)
2. Kris Odegard (Saskatoon, SK)
3. Mike Green (Hamilton, ON)
4. Tim Landeryou (Saskatoon, SK)
5. Corey Osborne (Penetanguishene, ON)
6. Eric Desrochers (Burlington, ON)
7. Lee Connell (Saskatoon, SK)
8. Francis Guillemette (Legardeur, QC)
9. Nathaniel Husulak (Saskatoon, SK)
10. Tommy Murray (Baie-comeau,QC)
11. Pedro Castro(Brossard, QC)
12. Conrad Cole (Belle River, ON)
13. Josh Keil (Antigonish, NS)
14. Sebastien Boissonneault (Burnaby, BC)
15. James Slamko (Edmonton, AB)
16. Kurtis Cullen (Brandon, MB)
Women’s Results
1. Jennifer Saunders (Winnipeg, MB)
2. Josée Grand'Maître (Longueil, QC)
3. Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Montreal, QC)
4. Frederique Lambert (Montreal, QC)
5. Christine Richardson (Regina, SK
6. Genevieve Brodeur (Sherbrooke, QC)
7. Brigitte Richard (Saint-basile-le-grand, QC)
8. Valerie Fallu (Brossard, QC)
Follow the bouncing ball....
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