Longoria #1 in final WPRO Rankings for 2009-2010

Paola Longoria has successfully defended the #1 rank on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) that she first attained a year ago, holding off former #1 Rhonda Rajsich, who has to settle for being #2 at the end of the 2009-2010 season.

Rajsich won the first two tournaments of the season, including the 2009 US Open, and made the next three tournament finals but couldn't get back in the winner's circle. In fact, she didn't get to the finals in either of the last two tournaments.

Longoria's strong finish to the season - four wins in five events, with the only loss the result of an injury withdrawal - should make her the favorite to win the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships this August in Korea. If she does, she'd be the first Mexican woman to do so.

Keely Franks, T. J. Baumbaugh and Vivian Gomez finished in the top 10 for the first time in their careers, at 7th, 8th and 9th, respectively. Also, Jo Shattuck finished a career high 6th and Samantha Salas is in the season end top 10 for the first time since 2006-07.

Cheryl Gudinas finishes at #3, and in doing so sets a record for most career top 10s at 17, breaking the tie she had with Jackie Paraiso. Gudinas was first in the season end top 10 in 1993-94.

With her second #1 season ending ranking, Longoria joins a long list of great women racquetball players to be #1 multiple times, including Rajsich (with 3), Gudinas (4), Paraiso (3), Michelle Gould (7), Lynn Adams (6), and Heather McKay (3). Two players have been #1 only once at year end: Caryn McKinney (in 1988-89) and Christie Van Hees (2004-05).

2009-10 WPRO Final Rankings
Rank - Name - Country - Points

1 Paola Longoria Mexico 1340.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich USA 1189.90
3 Cheryl Gudinas USA 860.70
4 Kerri Wachtel USA 451.50
5 Adrienne Fisher USA 396.40
6 Jo Shattuck USA 289.80
7 Keely Franks USA 262.50
8 T.J. Baumbaugh USA 254.20
9 Vivian Gomez USA 249.75
10 Samantha Salas Mexico 246.55
11 Krystal Csuk USA 238.00
12 Kristen Bellows USA 210.00
13 Jennifer Saunders Canada 209.25
14 Cristina Amaya Colombia 175.00
15 Angela Grisar Chile 164.00
16 Doreen Fowler USA 144.25
17 Susy Acosta-Mendoza Mexico 133.70
18 Jackie Paraiso USA 131.00
19 Aubrey O'Brien USA 124.75
20 Janel Tisinger USA 75.00

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