Croft wins Minot Open

Ben Croft won the Minot Open - a Tier 4 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - in Minot, North Dakota on the weekend, defeating Shane Vanderson in the final, 5-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-3. It was Croft's second victory over Vanderson in as many weekends, as they met in the final of the Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas last weekend.

The Minot Open was an old fashioned racquetball tournament with playing until all hours, nice trophies and great hospitality.

Croft's slow start in the final might have been a bit of a hangover from his Saturday schedule, as he was only able to get to Minot Saturday afternoon due to a flight cancellation on Friday. That meant he had to play three matches in a row.

But by that last match - the semi-finals - Croft was dialed in, as he only gave up three points to veteran Richard Eisemann, 11-0, 11-2, 11-1. Vanderson also won his semi-final match in three straight games, as he defeated Canadian Lee Connell, 11-4, 11-1, 11-4.

In the final, Croft served mainly backhand lob Z to the left side, which was to Vanderson's backhand, although Vanderson's known to be very strong with his backhand. Asked about that strategy afterwards, Croft explained that "Shane has a good forehand too, so if you play too much to his forehand he's going to get in a groove and now you're dealing with two hot sides."

Croft's lob Z was hard to cut off, so it was difficult for Vanderson to hit an aggressive return. Croft often hit it so it wasn't really a Z more like a Y serve, as it's pace didn't bounce off the side wall and back wall, where it might have been easier for Vanderson to return.

"Time out!"

The Racquetball Blog interviewed Croft after the match and we'll bring that to you in coming days.

Minot Open, Minot, North Dakota

December 9-11, 2011

Final

Ben Croft d. Shane Vanderson, 5-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-3

3rd place

Richard Eisemann d. Lee Connell, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7

Semi-finals

Ben Croft d. Richard Eisemann, 11-0, 11-2, 11-1

Shane Vanderson d. Lee Connell, 11-4, 11-1, 11-4

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Longoria wins Christmas Classic

Paola Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich for the fourth time in ten weeks, solidifying her position on top of the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) rankings on Sunday by winning the 20th Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia. But Longoria didn't make it easy on herself as she lost the first two games before staging a comeback to win in five games, 7-11, 3-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7.

The turning point of the match was game three, as Longoria was up 7-2, but Rajsich came back to make the match close. But while doing so, Rajsich was hit by Longoria during a rally. The contact was unintentional, but Rajsich needed some injury time prior to continuing.

Despite the injury, Rajich did narrow the gap to 9-8. But that was as close as Rajsich got, as Longoria won it 11-8.

Longoria won the fourth game comfortably, taking a 5-0 lead and winning 11-4. In game five, Longoria again took the early lead at 4-1 and 8-4. But Rajsich, the WPRO #1 at the beginning of the season, again fought back and got within two points at 9-7.

But on her second match point opportunity, Longoria won it, 11-7. The victory is the 18th of Longoria's career, and third WPRO win of the season. Longoria defeated Rajsich in the final of the last two WPRO events, and also beat Rajsich for the gold medal game of the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico in October.

The next WPRO tournament will be the Coast to Coast California Open in Canoga Park, California, January 5-8, 2012.

20th Christmas Classic, Arlington, Virginia

December 9-11, 2011

Final

Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 7-11, 3-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Christmas Classic Semi-finals

Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich will meet for the fourth time this season, as they're in the final of the 20th Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virgina, the fourth event of the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) season. Longoria has won the three previous three times.

Longoria advanced to the final with a semi-final victory over Adrienne Fisher, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7, while Rajsich defeated surprise semi-finalist Krystal Csuk, 11-9, 11-3, 11-5.

Csuk was an upset winner over Kerri Wachtel in the quarter finals, 8-11, 12-10, 11-3, 3-11, 11-6.

The final will be at noon EST Sunday.

20th Christmas Classic, Arlington, Virginia

Semi finals

Paola Longoria d. Adrienne Fisher, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7

Rhonda Rajsich d. Krystal Csuk, 11-9, 11-3, 11-5

Final

Paola Longoria vs. Rhonda Rajsich

Quarter finals

Paola Longoria d. Jennifer Saunders, 11-5, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7

Adrienne Fisher d. Cristina Amaya, 12-10, 11-6, 11-5

Krystal Csuk d. Kerri Wachtel, 8-11, 12-10, 11-3, 3-11, 11-6

Rhonda Rajsich d. Susana Acosta, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Christmas Classic 16s

For perhaps the first time in a long time the top 8 seeds are all through to the quarter finals of a Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tournament, specifically the 20th Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virgina. Indeed, none of the matches in the Round of 16 on Friday went more than four games and only three of the eight matches went that far.

The two top seeds won in three games straight, blanking their opponent in one of those games. Top seed Paola Longoria defeated Grace Hughes, 11-1, 11-0, 11-3, and second seed Rhonda Rajsich won over Mercedes Arias, 11-1, 11-4, 11-0.

Arias's earlier match with Tracy Hawthorne was the only match of the day to need a tie-breaking fifth game, as Arias - a member of the US Junior National Team - came out on top 14-16, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-1.

The player outside the top 8 seeds most likely to make the quarters would have been Kristen Bellows, a former top 4 WPRO player. But she lost to 6th seed Krystal Csuk, 14-12, 7-11, 11-5, 11-6.

Once upon a time - in fact, it was a decade ago in 2001 - Bellows and Csuk were team-mates on the Baldwin-Wallace racquetball team before Bellows (nee Walsh) transferred to University of Utah, in her home state.

The quarter finals and semi-finals will be played on Saturday with the final slated for Sunday.

20th Christmas Classic, Arlington, Virginia

December 9-11, 2011

Round of 16

Paola Longoria d. Grace Hughes, 11-1, 11-0, 11-3

Jennifer Saunders d. Da'monique Davis, 11-5, 11-2, 11-6

Cristina Amaya d. Laura Brandt, 11-0, 11-0, 11-8

Adrienne Fisher d. Kimberly Ferina, 11-6, 11-5, 7-11, 11-5

Kerri Wachtel d. Anita Maldonado, 11-1, 11-3, 11-3

Krystal Csuk d. Kristen Bellows, 14-12, 7-11, 11-5, 11-6

Susana Acosta d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-1, 6-11, 11-4, 11-3

Rhonda Rajsich d. Mercedes Arias, 11-1, 11-4, 11-0

Quarter finals

Paola Longoria vs. Jennifer Saunders

Adrienne Fisher vs. Cristina Amaya

Kerri Wachtel vs. Krystal Csuk

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Susana Acosta

Round of 32

Paola Longoria vs. BYE

Grace Hughes d. Ana Paola Nunez, 10-12, 11-6, 11-4, 11-4

Jennifer Saunders vs. BYE

Da'monique Davis vs. BYE

Cristina Amaya vs. BYE

Laura Brandt d. Marie Barron, 11-5, 11-6, 11-2

Kimberly Ferina d. Claudia Andrade, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4

Adrienne Fisher vs. BYE

Kerri Wachtel vs. BYE

Anita Maldonado d. Erika Hawley, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7

Kristen Bellows vs. BYE

Krystal Csuk vs. BYE

Susana Acosta vs. BYE

T. J. Baumbaugh vs. BYE

Mercedes Arias d. Tracy Hawthorne, 14-16, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-1

Rhonda Rajsich vs. BYE

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Christmas Classic Preview

The draw for this weekend's Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tournament - the 20th Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virgina - is similar to the previous tournament, although the two top seeds have flipped. Paola Longoria is now the WPRO's #1 player and Rhonda Rajsich is #2.

The similarity between this week's draw and last month's Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington, lies is the absence of WPRO #3 Samantha Salas and #10 Cheryl Gudinas, who remain out with injuries. Sources suggest that Salas's right shoulder (she's right handed) is significantly injured so she may be out for some time. Gudinas had knee surgery last month and is aiming at returning to action in January at the Coast to Coast California Open.

Thus, once again Kerri Wachtel is 3rd seed and Adrienne Fisher 4th. Kristen Bellows is again in the draw, and could meet Wachtel in the quarter finals. There were several Wachtel-Bellows (then Walsh) matches when both players were in the top five in the mid-2000s.

Play begins in Arlington on Friday with the Round of 32 and Round of 16. The quarter finals and semi-finals will be played on Saturday with the final slated for Sunday.

20th Christmas Classic, Arlington, Virginia

December 9-11, 2011

Round of 32

Paola Longoria vs. BYE

Ana Paola Nunez vs. Grace Hughes

Jennifer Saunders vs. BYE

Da'monique Davis vs. BYE

Cristina Amaya vs. BYE

Laura Brandt vs. Marie Barron

Kimberly Ferina vs. Claudia Andrade

Adrienne Fisher vs. BYE

Kerri Wachtel vs. BYE

Anita Maldonado vs. Erika Hawley

Kristen Bellows vs. BYE

Krystal Csuk vs. BYE

Susana Acosta vs. BYE

T. J. Baumbaugh vs. BYE

Tracy Hawthorne vs. Mercedes Arias

Rhonda Rajsich vs. BYE

Round of 16

Paola Longoria vs. Ana Paola Nunez or Grace Hughes

Jennifer Saunders vs. Da'monique Davis

Cristina Amaya vs. Laura Brandt or Marie Barron

Adrienne Fisher vs. Kimberly Ferina or Claudia Andrade

Kerri Wachtel vs. Anita Maldonado or Erika Hawley

Krystal Csuk vs. Kristen Bellows

Susana Acosta vs. T. J. Baumbaugh

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Tracy Hawthorne or Mercedes Arias

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Crowther wins Lou Bradley Memorial

Chris Crowther won the 14th Lou Bradley Memorial Pro-Am in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin on the weekend. He defeated Andy Hawthorne in the final, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6, 12-10. The Lou Bradley Memorial is a Tier 3 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT).

In the semi-finals, Crowther beat Andy Thompson, 11-3, 11-2, 11-7. Thompson was a surprise semi-finalist after defeating Juan Herrera in the quarter finals, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5.

In the other semi-final, Hawthorne defeated Tony Carson, 11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 13-11

14th Lou Bradley Memorial Pro-Am, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

December 2-4, 2011

Final

Chris Crowther d. Andy Hawthorne, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6, 12-10

Semi-finals

Chris Crowther d. Andy Thompson, 11-3, 11-2, 11-7

Andy Hawthorne d. Tony Carson, 11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 13-11

Quarter finals

Chris Crowther d. Geoff Goldblatt

Andy Thompson d. Juan Herrera, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5

Andy Hawthorne d. Tracy Chynoweth

Tony Carson d. Paul Krueger

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Croft wins 21st Turkey Shootout

Ben Croft won the 21st Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas Sunday with a three game victory over Shane Vanderson in the final, 12-10, 11-5, 14-12. The Turkey Shootout is a Tier 3 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT).

In the semi-finals, Croft beat Alvaro Beltran, 1-15, 12-10, 13-11, 0-11, 11-2, and Vanderson defeated Javier Moreno, 5-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-5.

But in doubles, the Mexicans Beltran and Moreno had the better of Croft and Vanderson, winning the final 10-12, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8.

21st Turkey Shoot, Garden City, Kansas

December 2-4, 2011

Final

Ben Croft d. Shane Vanderson, 12-10, 11-5, 14-12

Semi-finals

Ben Croft d. Alvaro Beltran, 1-15, 12-10, 13-11, 0-11, 11-2

Shane Vanderson d. Javier Moreno, 5-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-5

Quarter finals

Ben Croft d. Dustin Webster, 11-4, 11-8, 11-6

Alvaro Beltran d. Felipe Camacho, 12-10, 11-8, 12-10

Javier Moreno d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-3, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4

Shane Vanderson d. Jake Bredenbeck, 8-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-4

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT Rankings - December 1, 2011

The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) has updated its rankings, although there are no changes in the top three. Kane Waselenchuk is the #1 IRT player, followed by Rocky Carson in #2 and Ben Croft in #3.

But Chris Crowther and Jose Rojas are both on career highs, as Crowther is up to #4, and Rojas is #5. Crowther's made one final and a semi this season, while Rojas has made the semis in 3 of the 4 Tier 1 or Grand Slam IRT events of the season.

Jack Huczek, who retired in May, is still #6, which is a testament to how far ahead he was of the rest of the field that only a few players have moved past him.

Andy Hawthorne #7, Shane Vanderson #8, Charlie Pratt #9, and Tony Carson #10, round out the top 10.

Nine of the top ten players are American, but seven of the next ten are not. Four Mexicans - Javier Moreno, Alvaro Beltran, Daniel De La Rosa, and Alejandro Landa - two Colombians - Juan Herrera and Alejandro Herrera, and a Canadian - James Slamko - join the three Americans - Anthony Herrera, Taylor Knoth and Arthur Schmeiser - to make up the 11-20 IRT ranks.

Ruben Watch

Also of note, Ruben Gonzalez is #31 overall and #24 for this season, so he's got a ways to go to get to his goal of being in the top 10 at the end of the season, when he'll be 60. The Racquetball Blog has three words for Mr. Gonzalez: Work. To. Do.

Gonzalez was to his next chance to climb closer to his goal this month with the Corona Open in Chihuahua, Mexico, December 15-18, but that's been taken off the schedule. Thus, the IRT's next Tier 1 event will be in the new year with the Coast to Coast California Open in Canoga Park.

That will start a heavy tournament schedule for the second half of the season, as there will be 13 tournaments in 21 weeks; they'll be playing roughly two of every three weeks. Not a schedule for old men.

We suggest Gonzalez put in some good training this month and go easy on the egg nog and holiday meals. He's got a lot of work ahead of him.

IRT Rankings 2010-11 Season - December 1, 2011

Rank - Player - Points

1 Kane WASELENCHUK, 4974

2 Rocky CARSON, 3894

3 Ben CROFT, 2877

4 Chris CROWTHER, 2414

5 Jose ROJAS, 2372

6 Jack HUCZEK, 2340

7 Andy HAWTHORNE, 2213

8 Shane VANDERSON, 2131

9 Charlie PRATT, 1868

10 Tony CARSON, 1508

11 Anthony HERRERA, 1394

12 Javier MORENO, 1026

13 Juan HERRERA, 876

14 Alvaro BELTRAN, 631

15 Daniel DE LA ROSA, 611

16 Alejandro HERRERA, 575

17 Taylor KNOTH, 554

18 Alejandro LANDA, 484

19 Arthur SCHMEISER, 475

20 Jamie SLAMKO, 465

Follow the bouncing ball....

Top seeds get it done at Racquetball Canada's National Team Selection Event

Mike Green and Jennifer Saunders, the #1 men's and women's, respectively, players in Canada won their respective divisions at the Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event on Sunday in Oakville, Ontario. They each defeated the second seed to do so in what ever rematches of finals from the 2011 Canadian National Championships last May.

Green had the easier time of it, as he defeated Vincent Gagon in two straight games, 15-8, 15-0. Green again used his powerful drive serve to constantly keep Gagnon on the defensive.

Saunders needed a tie-breaker to win her final, as 2nd seed Frédérique Lambert won the first game of their match making several touch shots into the front corners. But Saunders recovered to take game two and force a tie-breaker. She won that with two flat roll out shots, winning 12-15, 15-8, 11-7.

Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event
Oakville, Ontario

Men's Open

Final: Mike Green d. Vincent Gagnon, 15-8, 15-0

3rd Place: Kris Odegard d. Tim Landeryou, 15-4, 15-6

5th Place: Nathaniel Husulak d. Francis Guillemette, 15-1, 15-8

7th Place: Lee Connell d. James Landeryou, injury forfeit

Women's Open

Final: Jennifer Saunders d. Frédérique Lambert, 12-15, 15-8, 11-7

3rd Place: Josée Grand'Maître d. Christine Richardson, 15-0, 16-14

5th Place: Brandi Jacobson Prentice d. Michèle Morissette, 15-4, 15-5

7th Place: Nadia Vérilli d. Valerie Fallu, 16-14, forfeit

Follow the bouncing ball....

One vs. two in men's & women's finals at Racquetball Canada's National Team Selection Event

The top two seeds on both the men's and women's draws will play each other in the finals of the Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event in Oakville, Ontario. This will be a repeat of the finals from the 2011 Canadian National Championships last May.

Mike Green, Canada's #1 player, reached the final with victories over Tim Landeryou, 15-7, 15-3, in the semi-finals, and Francis Guillemette, 15-2, 15-0, in the quarter finals.

He'll face 2nd seed Vincent Gagnon in the final Sunday, as Gagnon won a tie-breaker against 3rd seed Kris Odegard, 16-14, 13-15, 11-2.

Gagnon beat Lee Connell, 15-9, 15-10, in the quarter finals.

On the women's side, first seed Jennifer Saunders defeated Christine Richardson, 15-6, 15-4, in the semi-finals. Richardson, the 5th seed, had upset 4th seed Brandi Jacobson Prentice in the quarter finals, 3-15, 15-5, 11-3.

Saunders will face 2nd seed Frédérique Lambert, who beat Josée Grand'Maître, 15-6, 17-15, in the other semi-final.

Results from this weekend will be combined with results from the National Team Selection Event in February 2012 in Regina and the Canadian National Championships next May in Brossard, Que. to select the players who will represent Canada at the 2012 World Racquetball Championships.

The women's final will be Sunday at noon in Oakville with the men's final to follow at 2 PM at the National Fitness and Racquet Club.

Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event

Oakville, Ontario

Men's Open

Semi-finals

Mike Green d. Tim Landeryou, 15-7, 15-3

Vincent Gagnon d. Kris Odegard, 16-14, 13-15, 11-2

Final - Sunday 2 PM EST

Mike Green vs. Vincent Gagnon

3rd Place - Sunday 1 PM EST

Kris Odegard vs. Tim Landeryou

Quarter finals

Mike Green d. Francis Guillemette, 15-2, 15-0

Tim Landeryou d. James Landeryou, 16-18, 15-9, 11-2

Kris Odegard d. Nathaniel Husulak, 15-10, 18-20, 11-6

Vincent Gagnon d. Lee Connell, 15-9, 15-10

Women's Open

Semi-finals

Jennifer Saunders d. Christine Richardson, 15-6, 15-4

Frédérique Lambert d. Josée Grand'Maître, 15-6, 17-15

Final - Sunday 12 PM EST

Jennifer Saunders vs. Frédérique Lambert

3rd Place - Sunday 11 AM EST

Josée Grand'Maître vs. Christine Richardson

Quarter finals

Jennifer Saunders d. Nadia Vérilli, 15-6, 15-4

Christine Richardson d. Brandi Jacobson Prentice, 3-15, 15-5, 11-3

Josée Grand'Maître d. Valerie Fallu, 15-5, 15-2

Frédérique Lambert d. Michèle Morissette, 15-1, 15-2

Follow the bouncing ball....

Racquetball Canada's National Team Selection Event

Racquetball Canada is having its first National Team Selection Event of the season this weekend in Oakville, Ontario. So far there have been no big upsets. Mike Green, current Canadian champion and top seed, showed the form that won him that championship last May, as he defeated former Canadian Champion Corey Osborne, 15-1, 15-2.

Men's second seed Vincent Gagnon of Montreal also won easily, as he beat Tommy Murray, 15-9, 15-5. Murray's younger brother didn't fare any better, as Samuel Murray fell to 3rd seed Kris Odegard, 15-3, 15-8.

Fourth seed Tim Landeryou defeated current Canadian U18 Boys Champion Kurtis Cullen in two games, 15-8, 15-4.

A highlight match of the women's first round was Nadia Verilli's win over Brittany Nelson, 15-4, 12-15, 11-9. Verilli was a Canadian Champion in women's doubles in 1990, which was before her young opponent was born.

Results from this weekend will be combined with results from the National Team Selection Event in February 2012 in Regina and the Canadian National Championships next May in Brossard, Que. to select the players who will represent Canada at the 2012 World Racquetball Championships.

Play continues through Sunday.

Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event

Oakville, Ontario

Men's Open

Round of 16

Mike Green d. Corey Osborne, 15-1, 15-2

Vincent Gagnon d. Tommy Murray, 15-9, 15-5

Kris Odegard d. Samuel Murray, 15-3, 15-8

Nathaniel Husulak d. Barret Husulak, 15-5, 15-10

Lee Connell d. Coby Iwaasa, 15-10, 15-9

Francis Guillemette d. Pedro Castro, 15-10, 15-11

Tim Landeryou d. Kurtis Cullen, 15-8, 15-4

James Landeryou d. Eric Desrochers, 18-16, 15-11

Quarter finals

Mike Green vs. Francis Guillemette

Vincent Gagnon vs. Lee Connell

Kris Odegard vs. Nathaniel Husulak

Tim Landeryou vs. James Landeryou

First Round

Pedro Castro d. Dylan Hunter, 15-7, 15-12

Francis Guillemette d. Dennis Oteyza, 15-3, 15-7

Coby Iwaasa d. Nicolas Bousquet, 15-6, 15-7

Barret Husulak d. Steve Scagnetti, 15-4, 15-9

Eric Desrochers d. Sami Harb, 6-15, 15-4, 11-3

Kurtis Cullen d. Sébastien Juteau, 15-6, 16-14

Samuel Murray d. Conrad Cole, 15-9, 15-10

Tommy Murray d. Colin Mohr, 15-13, 15-12

Corey Osborne d. Francois Viens, 16-14, 15-7

Women's Open

First Round

Valerie Fallu d. Callie Hunter, 15-3, 15-1

Michèle Morissette d. Kira Brereton, 15-5, 15-2

Nadia Vérilli d. Brittany Nelson, 15-4, 12-15, 11-9

Quarter finals

Jennifer Saunders vs. Nadia Vérilli

Brandi Jacobson Prentice vs. Christine Richardson

Josée Grand'Maître vs. Valerie Fallu

Frédérique Lambert vs. Michèle Morissette

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO Rankings - "Ch-ch-ch-changes...."

Paola Longoria has regained the #1 ranking in the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO). Her win in last weekend's Puget Sound tournament moved her past Rhonda Rajsich into the top spot. Longoria has won more tournaments - 16 - than any other player over the last four WPRO seasons.

Samantha Salas and Kerri Wachtel remain 3rd and 4th, respectively, but there's a wholesale shuffling of the rankings after that.

Adrienne Fisher is up to 5th, but Cristina Amaya at 6th and Krystal Csuk at 7th are both on career highs (according to The Racquetball Blog records). Susana Acosta is 8th and Jennifer Saunders 9th.

Veteran and former WPRO #1, Cheryl Gudinas has dropped to 10th, which must be her lowest ranking for almost 20 years. Gudinas has finished in the top 5 every season since 1993-94, when she made her first appearance in the top 10.

Gudinas missed the Puget Sound event due to knee surgery, and if she's not ready for the next WPRO event - the Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia - Gudinas will likely fall out of the top 10 for the first time in her long and tremendous career.

Finally, Kristen Bellows's semi-final result in Olympia has got the former top four player up to 14th.

The next WPRO event is the Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia, December 8-11, 2011.

WPRO Rankings (November 22, 2011)

Rank - Name - Nationality - Points

1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1451.00

2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1403.40

3 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 608.30

4 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 459.45

5 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 383.70

6 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 354.65

7 Krystal Csuk (USA) 354.60

8 Susy Acosta-Mendoza (Mexico) 352.50

9 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 334.00

10 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 320.00

11 Angela Grisar (Chile) 307.00

12 Da'monique Davis (USA) 222.75

13 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 190.50

14 Kristen Bellows (USA) 158.90

15 Christie Huczek (Canada) 150.25

16 Nancy Enriquez (Mexico) 148.00

17 Linda Scales (USA) 126.00

18 Laura Brandt (USA) 106.50

19 Keely Franks (USA) 90.00

20 Sharon Jackson (USA) 87.50

Follow the bouncing ball....

Weekend Round Up - Herrera, Saunders & Knoth win

Juan Herrera won the 20th Annual Turkey Shoot tournament, a Tier 5 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event in Lombard, Illinois. Top seed Herrera beat 6th seeded Keith Minor in the final, 11-9, 11-1, 11-7.

Herrera defeated Brian Simpson, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7, in the semi-finals, while Minor got to the final with two upset victories. He beat Arthur Schmeiser, in three close games in the semi-finals, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10, and in the quarter finals defeated Brad Schopieray, 5-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7, 11-7.

Puget Sound Challenge Open Division Winners

In Olympia, Washington, Jennifer Saunders won the women's open division of the Puget Sound Challenge with a 15-6, 15-6 victory over Susana Acosta in the final.

Saunders beat Krystal Csuk, 15-9, 15-10, in the semi-finals while Acosta defeated T. J. Baumbaugh, 15-3, 15-14. Csuk took the third place match, winning 15-4, 15-8 against Baumbaugh.

In the men's open division in Olympia, Taylor Knoth beat Anthony Herrera, 9-15, 15-5, 11-9. In the semi-finals, Knoth defeated Jansen Allen, 15-11, 5-15, 11-9, while Herrera defeated Jeff Stark, 15-7, 15-10.

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge - Longoria defeats Rajsich

Paola Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich for the third time in two months to win the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington. Longoria won it in four games, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 12-10. She's won two of the three Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tournaments so far this season. Rajsich won the other.

Going into this weekend's event, Longoria was trailed Rajsich in the standings by a little over 80 points. This win may be enough to push Longoria past Rajsich into the #1 ranking that she held for two seasons after taking the top spot from Rajsich, who took it back last season.

The next WPRO event is the Christmas Classic December 8-11 in Arlington, Virginia.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Finals

Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 12-10

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge Semi-finals

It'll be 1 v. 2 again in a Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) event final, as WPRO #1 Rhonda Rajsich will face #2 Paola Longoria Sunday in the final of the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington. Longoria has won their last two meetings: last month in the US Open and in the Pan American Games.

Rajsich reached the final by defeating Kristen Bellows, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6, while Longoria beat fellow Mexican Susana Acosta, 11-3, 11-1, 11-6.

The final will be at noon Sunday.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Semi-finals

Rhonda Rajsich d. Kristen Bellows, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6

Paola Longoria d. Susana Acosta, 11-3, 11-1, 11-6

Finals

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Paola Longoria

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge QFs

Top seeds Rhonda Rajsich and Paola Longoria are through to the semi-finals at the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington, but in the semis they'll face two upset winners.

Kristen Bellows, a former top 4 player on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour, won again Saturday as she defeated 4th seed Adrienne Fisher, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-5. Bellows will play Rajsich in the semi-finals later Saturday, as Rajsich beat Krystal Csuk, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3.

Longoria defeated Cristina Amaya, 11-2, 11-6, 11-4, in the quarter finals, and she'll play fellow Mexican Susana Acosta, who defeated 3rd seed Kerri Wachtel in five games, 11-6, 5-11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9.

The semi-finals will be played Saturday evening with the final slated for Sunday at noon.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Quarter finals

Rhonda Rajsich d. Krystal Csuk, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3

Kristen Bellows d. Adrienne Fisher, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-5

Susana Acosta d. Kerri Wachtel, 11-6, 5-11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9

Paola Longoria d. Cristina Amaya, 11-2, 11-6, 11-4

Semi-finals

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Kristen Bellows

Paola Longoria vs. Susana Acosta

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge Round of 16

Kristen Bellows continues to make an impact in her return to the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour, as she reached the quarter finals at the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington, with a win over 5th seed Jennifer Saunders, 10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8.

The win sets up a re-match with 4th seed Adrienne Fisher, who was a straight games winner over Keely Franks, 11-8, 11-2, 11-2. Bellows defeated Fisher in the US Open last month.

The other top seeds were also winners. Top seed Rhonda Rajsich beat Cheyenne Hayes, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2; second seed Paola Longoria defeated Grace Hughes, 11-3, 11-0, 11-6; and third seed Kerri Wachtel needed four games to get by Jocelyn Loredo, 11-5, 11-3, 9-11, 11-9.

The quarter finals and semi-finals will be played on Saturday with the final slated for Sunday.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Round of 16

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Cheyenne Hayes, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2

Krystal Csuk d. Da'monique Davis, 12-10, 11-1, 11-7

Kristen Bellows d. Jennifer Saunders, 10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8

Adrienne Fisher d. Keely Franks, 11-8, 11-2, 11-2

Kerri Wachtel d. Jocelyn Loredo, 11-5, 11-3, 9-11, 11-9

Susana Acosta d. Linda Scales, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4

Cristina Amaya d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 6-11, 11-8, 11-2, 10-12, 11-8

Paola Longoria d. Grace Hughes, 11-3, 11-0, 11-6

Quarter finals

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Krystal Csuk

Adrienne Fisher vs. Kristen Bellows

Kerri Wachtel vs. Susana Acosta

Paola Longoria vs. Cristina Amaya

Round 1

Cheyenne Hayes d. Tammarrian Rogers, 11-9, 11-1, 1-6

Grace Hughes d. Kimberly Ferina, 11-8, 11-3, 11-5

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge Preview

Two of the top Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) players are missing from the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington, as #3 Samantha Salas and #5 Cheryl Gudinas are both out with injuries. Salas's shoulder is causing her problems and Gudinas had knee surgery recently.

This means that Kerri Wachtel is seeded 3rd and Adrienne Fisher 4th. Also of note former top 4 player Kristen Bellows is in the draw and she's up against Jennifer Saunders in the Round of 16 and if she wins will likely face Fisher in the quarter finals.

It's a smaller draw than usual, so there are only two first round matches. Tammarrian Rogers will face Cheyenne Hayes in one match with the winner to play top seed Rhonda Rajsich in the Round of 16.

On the bottom of the draw, Kimberly Ferina plays Grace Hughes in the first round with #2 seed Paola Longoria waiting to face the winner.

Play begins in Olympia on Friday with those first round matches and Round of 16. The quarter finals and semi-finals will be played on Saturday with the final slated for Sunday.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Round 1

Cheyenne Hayes vs. Tammarrian Rogers
Kimberly Ferina vs. Grace Hughes

Round of 16

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Cheyenne Hayes or Tammarrian Rogers
Krystal Csuk vs. Da'monique Davis

Jennifer Saunders vs. Kristen Bellows
Adrienne Fisher vs. Keely Franks

Kerri Wachtel vs. Jocelyn Loredo
Susana Acosta vs. Linda Scales

Cristina Amaya vs. T. J. Baumbaugh
Paola Longoria vs. Kimberly Ferina or Grace Hughes

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT: Ending the Season #1

When Kane Waselenchuk finishes at #1 at the end of the current International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season, which everyone in The Racquetball Blog office is fully expecting, he alone will have the most year end #1s ever. Currently, he's tied for the most with Cliff Swain at 6.

But Waselenchuk will need to finish #1 this season and the next two seasons to set the record for most consecutive #1s. Mike Yellen was #1 five seasons in a row from 1982-83 to 1986-87. Waselenchuk's #1 run is currently at three.

In fact, only Waselenchuk (with 6), Swain (6), Yellen (5) and Sudsy Monchik (5) have finished ranked #1 more than once. (note: Marty Hogan was 'tour champion' four times but that was based on winning the season ending tournament rather than overall season rankings).

Yet despite that record of domination (22 of 28 seasons won by one of four players), there was a six year period when the #1 player was someone different each year. 1986-87 was Yellen's last title. Ruben Gonzalez was #1 the next year followed by Marty Hogan.

Cliff Swain with his first title in 1989-90, but Mike Ray and Drew Katchtik won in 1990-91 and '91-92, respectively, before Swain won his second in '92-93.

Swain or Monchik was #1 until 2002-03, when Jason Mannino got his year end #1 title.

Since then it's been Waselenchuk, aside from the two year interruption that allowed Jack Huczek and Rocky Carson to get on the year end #1 list.

The big question is who'll be #1 next, although we don't expect answer to that for a few year still.

Take Heart

For those who are looking to take the mantel from Waselenchuk they might be heartened to know that Swain was in the top 10 for five years before he became #1. Similarly, Mannino didn't get to #1 until his 8th season in the top 10.

Only Monchik got to #1 in only his second year in the top 10. It took Waselenchuk three years to do that.

(Note: article written with stats from the IRT Historical Data Archive.)

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO Rankings - October 10, 2011

Rhonda Rajsich remains atop the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) rankings despite her loss to Paola Longoria at last month's US Open. Longoria remains #2, but is less than 90 points behind Rajsich now.

The only change in the rest of the top 10 is Angela Grisar's move ahead of Cristina Amaya into 9th from 10th, where Amaya now sits. But there could be changes coming after this month's Puget Sound WPRO tournament, as we understand Cheryl Gudinas is going to have knee surgery this month, so will likely miss the event in Washington state.

Gudinas is #5 now, but there are only about 70 points between her and #11 Krystal Csuk. Gudinas was a semi-finalist in Puget Sound last year, so missing the event this year will mean she drops significant points. That gives the six players immediately below her an opportunity to move past Gudinas in the rankings.

Gudinas has been in the top 10 at season's end every year since 1994.

A highlight of the next 10 ranks is Kristen Bellows's reappearance in the top 20 for the first time in a couple of years, as the former top 4 player got to the quarter finals of the US Open last month. Bellows is now 18th.

The next WPRO event is the Puget Sound Challenge in Olympia, Washington, November 17-20.

WPRO Rankings (October 10, 2011)
Rank - Name - Nationality - Points

1 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1374.40
2 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1291.00
3 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 768.30
4 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 530.45
5 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 384.80
6 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 383.70
7 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 350.00
8 Susy Acosta-Mendoza (Mexico) 332.50
9 Angela Grisar (Chile) 327.00
10 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 324.85

11 Krystal Csuk (USA) 314.50
12 Da'monique Davis (USA) 222.75
13 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 206.50
14 Christie Huczek (Canada) 150.25
15 Nancy Enriquez (Mexico) 148.00
16 Laura Brandt (USA) 106.00
17 Linda Scales (USA) 106.00
18 Kristen Bellows (USA) 96.90
19 Keely Franks (USA) 94.00
20 Aimee Ruiz (USA) 92.80

Follow the bouncing ball....

Weekend Update - Tucker & Tristan win on opposite coasts

The main International Racquetball Tour (IRT) action was in Seattle, but there were other IRT events going on this past weekend.

In Clarmont, California, Josh Tucker won the Pomona Valley Open (IRT Tier 4) by defeating Luis Felipe Munoz in the final, 9-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8.

In the semi-finals, Tucker beat Brandon Davis, 11-5, 11-1, 6-11, 11-0, and Munoz defeated Greg Solis, 11-13, 11-1, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9.

Across the USA in Syosset, N.Y., Agustin Tristan beat Mauricio Zelada to win the Long Island Open (IRT Tier 4). Tristan got to the final by defeating Sean Klingerman in the semi-final and Zelada beat Jamie Hopkins.

Seattle Pro-Am Open Results

Meanwhile in Seattle, Taylor Knoth won the Men's Open division at the Seattle Pro-Am, as he beat James Slamko in the final, 15-10, 15-1.

Knoth beat Ryan Meyer in the semi-finals, 15-13, 15-3, while Slamko defeated Brad Schopieray, 15-14, 15-11.

Knoth also won the Men's Open Doubles title, as he teamed with Tony Carson to defeat Jeff Stark and Lon Bergstrom, 15-10, 15-7.

In the semi-finals, Knoth and Carson beat Dan Darling and Jeremy White, 15-5, 15-6, and Stark and Bergstrom beat Anthony Herrera and Joshua Hungerford, 15-13, 15-13.

Follow the bouncing ball....

Seattle Pro-Am - Waselenchuk defeats Carson

Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), won again on Sunday, as he defeated the IRT's #2 player, Rocky Carson, in the final of the Seattle Pro-Am, 11-0, 12-10, 11-3. Waselenchuk blanked his opponent in game one of a match for the second consecutive match, as he also blanked Jose Rojas in game one of their semi-final match on Saturday.

In game one, Waselenchuk rolled, using his drive serve on first serve and lobbing on second serve when necessary. Without keeping an exact count, we think Carson served only twice in that game - both drives down the right wall, so to Waselenchuk's backhand.

In game two, Carson briefly led at 2-1, but Waselenchuk ran a string of points to go up 6-2. However, Carson chipped away at the lead, starting with an ace drive serve to the left side for 6-3.

Waselenchuk got to 10 first, leading 10-7, but Carson tied Waselenchuk at 10-10. However, Waselenchuk got the serve back and with two straight points closed out game two.

Carson again got to 2 first in game three as he led 2-0, but like in game two, Waselenchuk responded with a string of points to lead 7-2. Carson got one more point before Waselenchuk finished the game and won the match in three straight games.

The Corona Open is the next Tier 1 IRT event, and it will be held December 15-18 in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Seattle Pro-Am, Seattle, Washington

Final

Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson, 11-0, 12-10, 11-3

Follow the bouncing ball....

Seattle Pro-Am - Waselenchuk & Carson in Final

It'll be #1 versus #2 for the third time this season as Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), will play #2 Rocky Carson in the final of the Seattle Pro-Am. It will be their third meeting of the season, and Waselenchuk's won the previous two.

In the semi-finals, Waselenchuk defeated Jose Rojas, 11-0, 11-5, 11-4, and Carson beat Ben Croft, 11-1, 11-(-1), 11-8.

The IRT Network will webcast the final of the Seattle Pro-Am Sunday at 12:00 PM PDT.

Seattle Pro-Am, Seattle, Washington

Semi finals

Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Rojas, 11-0, 11-5, 11-4
Rocky Carson d. Ben Croft, 11-1, 11-(-1), 11-8

Final

Kane Waselenchuk vs. Rocky Carson

Follow the bouncing ball....

Seattle Pro-Am - Top 4 seeds through to semi-finals

So far things have mostly gone according to form at the Seattle Pro-Am, the fourth leg of the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) 2011-12 season, as the top four seeds are all through to the semi-finals.

Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 IRT player, won both his matches on Friday in straight games, as did the 2nd seed Rocky Carson.

In the Round of 16, Waselenchuk defeated Hiroshi Shimizu, 11-3, 11-5, 11-3, and Carson beat Ryan Meyer, 11-1, 11-4, 11-6. Then in the quarter finals, Waselenchuk saw off Shane Vanderson, 11-6, 11-1, 11-6, and Carson won against Anthony Herrera, 11-3, 11-5, 11-2.

Ben Croft, the 3rd seed, had a bit tougher go of it, as he needed five games to beat James Slamko, winning 11-4, 9-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-0.

Slamko needed multiple game points in both the games he won. After Slamko finished game four on his second game point, Croft came out blazing in game five, taking a 5-0 lead before Slamko knew what hit him.

Slamko called time out, but all it did was prolong the inevitable, as Croft won 6 more points to get the win.

Croft won his quarter final match against Chris Crowther, but again it wasn't easy, as the first game went to extra points before Croft won it 12-10.

At 6-2 in game three, Croft's game style was on display, as he was on the ground four times to win the rally and make it 7-2.

Credit Crowther though, as he didn't cave in in game three, despite being dow. Crowther fought back to close the gap to 9-8, but couldn't get the final points to force a tie-breaker.

Fourth seed Jose Rojas also advanced after beating Charlie Pratt in the quarter finals, 11-6, 6-11, 11-1, 11-4. After losing the second game, Rojas really took it to Pratt, who seemed be at sea on the court. Rojas switched from drive serving to half lob serves, and cut the ball when going to the right side - Pratt's forehand. It was just such a serve that gave Rojas his first match point, as he hit it for an ace after Pratt whiffed on the return, making the score 10-0 in the fourth game.

The IRT Network will webcast Saturday's semi-finals beginning at 4 PM PDT.

Seattle Pro-Am, Seattle, Washington

Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 11-3, 11-5, 11-3
Shane Vanderson d. Tony Carson, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7

Charlie Pratt d. Taylor Knoth, 11-5, 13-11, 11-8
Jose Rojas d. Jansen Allen, 2-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-1

Ben Croft d. James Slamko, 11-4, 9-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-0
Chris Crowther d. Juan Herrera, 11-3, 11-1, 11-0

Anthony Herrera d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6
Rocky Carson d. Ryan Meyer, 11-1, 11-4, 11-6

Quarter finals

Kane Waselenchuk d. Shane Vanderson, 11-6, 11-1, 11-6
Jose Rojas d. Charlie Pratt, 11-6, 6-11, 11-1, 11-4

Ben Croft d. Chris Crowther, 12-10, 11-4, 11-8
Rocky Carson d. Anthony Herrera, 11-3, 11-5, 11-2

Semi finals

Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Rojas
Rocky Carson v. Ben Croft

Follow the bouncing ball....

Seattle Pro-Am - Preliminary Results, Ruben loses in 5

There will be an Oregon showdown today in Seattle, as Taylor Knoth made it through qualifying at the Seattle Pro-Am, the fourth leg of the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) 2011-12 season, and will play Charlie Pratt in the Round of 16 on Friday.

Knoth defeated another young Oregonian left hander Josh Hungerford, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5, in the last round of qualifying to get to the 16s.

Also of note, James Slamko has a rematch with Ben Croft in the 16s. Last week in Davison, Michigan at the Red Swaine Shootout, Slamko took the first game of their match and was three points from going up 2-0 before Croft reversed the tide and came back to take the match from the young Canadian in four games.

Slamko beat fellow Canadian Tanner Mattson, 12-10, 11-2, 11-2, to set up the rematch with Croft.

Sadly for fans of legendary player Ruben Gonzalez, he again lost in the preliminary round. This time Dan Cramer beat Gonzalez in five games, 12-10, 6-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4. Sadly for Cramer, he didn't make the 16s, as he lost to veteran Japanese player Hiroshi Shimizu, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5.

The IRT Network is webcasting from Seattle throughout the tournament, including the Round of 16 beginning Friday at 11:30 AM PDT.

Seattle Pro-Am, Seattle, Washington

Qualifying Round 3 (32s)

Q8: Hiroshi Shimizu d. Dan Cramer, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5
Q1: Tony Carson d. Grant Stalley, 11-3, 11-2, 11-3

Q4: Taylor Knoth d. Josh Hungerford, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5
Q5: Jansen Allen d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-4, 11-9, 11-4

Q6: James Slamko d. Tanner Mattson, 12-10, 11-2, 11-2
Q3: Juan Herrera d. Rafael Filippini, 8-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-5

Q2: Anthony Herrera d. Jose Serrano, 11-0, 11-7, 13-11
Q7: Ryan Meyer d. Brad Schopieray, 9-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7

Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk v. Hiroshi Shimizu
Shane Vanderson v. Tony Carson

Charlie Pratt v. Taylor Knoth
Jose Rojas v. Jansen Allen

Ben Croft v. James Slamko
Chris Crowther v. Juan Herrera

Andy Hawthorne v. Anthony Herrera
Rocky Carson v. Ryan Meyer

Qualifying Round 2 (64s)

Dan Cramer d. Ruben Gonzalez, 12-10, 6-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4
Hiroshi Shimizu d. Favian Elmore, 11-1, 11-0, 11-8

Tony Carson BYE
Grant Stalley d. Joe Workman, 11-1, 11-6, 11-6

Taylor Knoth BYE
Josh Hungerford d. Joel Barshaw, injury

Arthur Schmeiser d. Connor Laffey, 11-9, 2-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8
Jansen Allen d. Jeff Stark, 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5

James Slamko d. Ryan Charbonneau, 11-4, 11-2, 11-2
Tanner Mattson d. John Scott, WBF

Juan Herrera BYE
Rafael Filippini d. Peter Wrigley, 11-9, 11-7, 11-1

Anthony Herrera BYE
Jose Serrano d. Andrew Gale, 6-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-0

Brad Schopieray d. Rick Charbonneau, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6
Ryan Meyer d. Cody Matteucci, 6-11, 11-5, 4-11, 11-7, 13-11

Qualifying Round 1 (128s)

Connor Laffey d. Alex Purcell, WBF

Follow the bouncing ball....

Seattle Pro-Am - Preliminary Rounds

No rest for the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), as they are back in action this weekend but this time on the west side of the continent at the Seattle Pro/Am. Qualifying involves two rounds plus one match, and that will all go Thursday.

The 5-8 seeds have been reshuffled from last week's Red Swaine Shootout, but Chris Crowther - the surprise finalist from last week - is still on the same side of the draw as Ben Croft and Rocky Carson, both of whom he beat to get to the final last week. Can he do it again?

Another (potential) match that will have some local Northwest interest will be Taylor Knoth, former World Junior Champion, against Charlie Pratt, which will happen in the Round of 16, if Knoth defeats the winner of Joel Barshaw and Josh Hungerford, which is also an all-Northwest battle.

Knoth defeated Hungerford at last year's Seattle Open, and Hungerford won two matches versus Barshaw last year, so you'd expect that Pratt will be facing Knoth in the 16s Friday.

However, you would also have expected Crowther would not have made the finals last week. But that's why they play the games.

The IRT Network begins webcasting from Seattle beginning Thursday at 8 PM PDT, and continuing with the main draw on Friday when the Round of 16 begins at 11:30 AM PDT.

Seattle Pro-Am, Seattle, Washington

Round 1 (128s)

Alex Purcell vs. Connor Laffey

Round 2 (64s)

Ruben Gonzalez vs. Dan Cramer
Hiroshi Shimizu vs. Favian Elmore

Tony Carson BYE
Grant Stalley vs. Joe Workman

Taylor Knoth BYE
Joel Barshaw vs. Josh Hungerford

Arthur Schmeiser vs. Alex Purcell or Connor Laffey
Jansen Allen vs. Jeff Stark

James Slamko vs. Ryan Charbonneau
John Scott vs. Tanner Mattson

Juan Herrera BYE
Peter Wrigley vs. Rafael Filippini

Anthony Herrera BYE
Jose Serrano vs. Andrew Gale

Brad Schopieray vs. Rick Charbonneau
Ryan Meyer vs. Cody Matteucci

Round 2 (32s)

Q8: Ruben Gonzalez or Dan Cramer vs. Hiroshi Shimizu or Favian Elmore
Q1: Tony Carson vs. Grant Stalley or Joe Workman

Q4: Taylor Knoth vs. Joel Barshaw or Josh Hungerford
Q5: Arthur Schmeiser or Alex Purcell or Connor Laffey vs. Jansen Allen or Jeff Stark

Q6: James Slamko or Ryan Charbonneau vs. John Scott or Tanner Mattson
Q3: Juan Herrera vs. Conrad Cole or Mark Brower

Q2: Anthony Herrera vs. Jose Serrano or Andrew Gale
Q7: Brad Schopieray or Rick Charbonneau vs. Ryan Meyer or Cody Matteucci

Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Shane Vanderson v. Q1

Charlie Pratt v. Q4
Jose Rojas v. Q5

Ben Croft v. Q6
Chris Crowther v. Q3

Andy Hawthorne v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7

Follow the bouncing ball....

Red Swain Shootout - Tony Carson wins Men's Open

Tony Carson won the men's open division at the Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan, on the weekend. He defeated Eric Desrochers, 11-15, 15-0, 11-10.

In the semi-finals, Carson defeated Lee Connell, 15-12, 15-14, and Desrochers beat Andrew Price, 15-11, 15-8.

The Davison event was successful by all accounts, but there is one troubling thing about it from our perspective. There were 116 participants, but only 7 women. Having only 6% of the tournament participants female is a shockingly low percentage.

This is something that we've noticed in the time that we've been writing The Racquetball Blog, and the issue of getting more women and girls to play racquetball needs to be addressed.

The IRT will be back in action this weekend, as the Seattle Pro/Am begins Thursday November 3 and runs to Sunday November 6.

Red Swain Shootout, Davison, Michigan

Men's Open

Final: Tony Carson d. Eric Desrochers, 11-15, 15-0, 11-10

Semi-finals:
Tony Carson d. Lee Connell, 15-12, 15-14
Eric Desrochers d. Andrew Price, 15-11, 15-8

Follow the bouncing ball....

Red Swain Shootout - Waselenchuk defeats Crowther

Kane Waselenchuk continued his winning streak on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) with a straight game victory over Chris Crowther in the final of the Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan, winning 11-2, 11-2, 11-4. It was their second meeting in a final, and Waselenchuk also won the previous one in September of last year in Cali, Colombia.

Waselenchuk served mostly drive Zs to Crowther's backhand in game one. Crowther fought hard early in that game, but once Waselenchuk got going he was unstoppable, winning 11-2.

Game two was similar, as they were tied 2-2, but Crowther didn't score another point. Waselenchuk began to hit some drive serves to the right side, which gave Crowther another option to think about so Waselenchuk's serves to the left side were even more effective.

Waselenchuk continued to roll in game three, as he took a 10-0 lead before Crowther put some points together and doubled his point total for the match, going down 11-4.

The IRT will be back in action next weekend, as the Seattle Pro/Am begins Thursday November 3 and runs to Sunday November 6.

Red Swain Shootout, Davison, Michigan

Final - Sunday

Kane Waselenchuk d. Chris Crowther, 11-2, 11-2, 11-4

Follow the bouncing ball....

Red Swain Shootout - Waselenchuk & Crowther advance to final

Kane Waselenchuk and Chris Crowther advanced to the final of the Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan after winning their respective semi-final matches. They'll face each other in a final for the 2nd time. The first was a little over a year ago in Cali, Colombia, when Waselenchuk won in four games.

Waselenchuk, the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), was expected to be in the final, and got there with a straight game victory over Jose Rojas, 11-1, 11-3, 11-4.

On the other hand, Crowther was up against IRT #3 Ben Croft in the semi-finals, and that after already facing IRT #2 Rocky Carson in the quarter finals. But for Crowther the outcome was the same: victory.

As in his match with Carson, Crowther found himself down a game. But this time he was 2-1 down after winning the first game and losing the next two. But with his back against the wall, Crowther came back, winning a tight game four and carrying the momentum over to the tie breaker to win the match in five games, 11-8, 5-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6.

The expected outcome for Sunday's final would be another Waselenchuk win, but Crowther's already done the unexpected twice, and some say that whatever happens twice must happen a third time.

The final of the Red Swain Shootout can be seen via the IRT Network at Noon EDT Sunday.

Red Swain Shootout, Davison, Michigan

Semi-finals - Saturday

Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Rojas, 11-1, 11-3, 11-4
Chris Crowther d. Ben Croft, 11-8, 5-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6

Finals - Sunday Noon EDT

Kane Waselenchuk vs. Chris Crowther

Follow the bouncing ball....

Red Swain Shootout - Quarter final matches

There won't be another Kane Waselenchuk-Rocky Carson showdown Sunday at the Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan, because Carson, the #2 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), was upset by Chris Crowther in the quarter finals, 5-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6.

It's only Crowther's 2nd victory over Carson on tour. After splitting the first two games Crowther was solidly in control of game three. Game four was a see-saw battle, with Crowther ahead 3-1, then Carson ahead 5-3. They were tied at 6-6, then Crowther edged ahead 8-6, and went on to win 11-6, serving an ace on match point.

Waselenchuk did his part to advance, as he beat Andy Hawthorne, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4, to advance to the semi-finals on Saturday. Jose Rojas will be Waselenchuk's opponent in the semis. In the quarters, Rojas defeated Shane Vanderson in five games, 11-4, 5-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-4.

Ben Croft also advanced to the semis with a five game victory over Charlie Pratt, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, 12-10. Croft will play Crowther in the semis.

The semi-finals of the Red Swain Shootout can be seen via the IRT Network beginning at 4:00 PM EDT Saturday.

Red Swain Shootout, Davison, Michigan

Quarter finals

Kane Waselenchuk d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4
Jose Rojas d. Shane Vanderson, 11-4, 5-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-4

Ben Croft d. Charlie Pratt, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, 12-10
Chris Crowther d. Rocky Carson, 5-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6

Semi-finals - Saturday

Kane Waselenchuk vs. Jose Rojas - 5:00 PM EDT
Ben Croft vs. Chris Crowther - 4:00 PM EDT

Follow the bouncing ball....

Red Swain Shootout - Round of 16

Ho hum, Kane Waselenchuk won another match. The #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) defeated fellow Canadian Lee Connell, 11-5, 11-2, 11-1, in the Round of 16 at the Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan.

Next up for Waselenchuk will be Andy Hawthorne who beat Tony Carson, 11-0, 11-8, 9-11, 11-3. Hawthorne was strong in games 1 and 4, but had a couple of prolonged lapses of form in games 2 and 3. He was able to recover from it in game 2, but not in game 3. Hawthorne won't be able to afford any lapses later today when he plays Waselenchuk in the quarter finals.

Third seed Ben Croft had a battle with James Slamko, losing the first game but winning the next three to take the match, 5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 12-10. Slamko was three points from taking a 2-0 lead in games, when he led 8-6 in game two, but Croft turned the momentum around, switching serves from the lob nick he was using to a drive serve.

Croft was comfortably in control of game three, although Slamko did come back to 10-7 before losing 11-7. Game four also started comfortably for Croft, as he led 7-4 and 9-5.

But then Slamko staged a late comeback, tying the game at 9-9, and then taking the lead at 10-9. But he couldn't close it out as Croft fought off the game point and then scored three straight points to take the game, 12-10, and match, 3 games to 1.

In the final Round of 16 match, Jose Rojas defeated Cliff Swain, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10. Rojas led comfortably in games one and two, and had 6-2 and 9-4 leads in game three, but Swain used his great serve to come back and tie it at 9-9 and 10-10. However, Rojas closed the door on the former IRT #1 by winning the last two points to take the game and the match.

Earlier, Rocky Carson had little trouble with young left hander Brad Schopieray, winning 11-4, 11-5, 11-2, although Schopieray did have a 4-1 lead in game 2. Carson's response to that was a 7 point run to lead 8-4, and then win it 11-5. Game 5 was similar as they were tied at 2-2, and Carson won the next 9 points to take the game and match.

The IRT Network's webcast of the Red Swain Shootout continues Friday with the rest of the Round of 16 and quarter finals Friday evening.

Red Swain Shootout, Davison, Michigan

Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk d. Lee Connell, 11-5, 11-2, 11-1
Andy Hawthorne d. Tony Carson, 11-0, 11-8, 9-11, 11-3

Shane Vanderson d. Brandon Cortese, 11-5, 11-1, 11-1
Jose Rojas d. Cliff Swain, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10

Ben Croft d. James Slamko, 5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 12-10
Charlie Pratt d. Conrad Cole, 11-9, 11-7, 11-3

Chris Crowther d. Anthony Herrera, 11-3, 11-6, 11-2
Rocky Carson d. Brad Schopieray, 11-4, 11-5, 11-2

Quarter finals

Kane Waselenchuk v. Andy Hawthorne
Jose Rojas v. Shane Vanderson

Ben Croft v. Charlie Pratt
Rocky Carson v. Chris Crowther

Follow the bouncing ball....

Red Swain Shootout - Swain wins, Gonzalez loses

There will be a past legend-legend in the making match at the Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan, this weekend's International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event. But it won't be past IRT #1 Ruben Gonzalez versus current #1 Kane Waselenchuk. Rather it'll be past IRT #1 versus current IRT #4 Jose Rojas.

Cliff Swain, who won the last IRT event held in Davison back in 1993, won two matches - both in three straight games - to qualify for the round of 16 and a match with two time World Junior Champion Jose Rojas.

For his part, Gonzalez was up 2-1 on Lee Connell, but as anyone who's seen Connell play, it's hard to ever count him out, as Connell will give it his all until the very end. Undoubtedly that effort helped him come back and defeat Gonzalez, 11-3, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8, 11-3. Thus, Connell will face Waselenchuk in the Round of 16 on Friday.

Other surprise qualifiers for the 16s are Brandon Cortese, who won two matches to get there, and Conrad Cole, who did likewise, but the second one was a default win over Juan Herrera, which is likely a Pan Am Games effect, as Herrera was in Guadalajara, Mexico representing Colombia the past two weeks.

The IRT Network's webcast of the Red Swain Shootout on Friday starts at 11:30 AM EDT with the Round of 16.

Red Swain Shootout, Davison, Michigan

Round 1 (64s)

Andrew Price d. Sami Harb, 11-6, 11-8, 11-3
Brandon Cortese d. Brian Pineda, 11-3, 11-2, 11-5

Cliff Swain d. Jason Kennedy, 11-1, 11-4, 11-7
Dan Case d. Nathan Tucker, 8-11, 13-11, 11-1, 11-8

Conrad Cole d. Mark Brower, 11-3, 11-3, 11-1
Eric Desrochers d. Jim Bronson, 7-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-5, 11-3

Round 2 (32s)

Q8: Lee Connell d. Ruben Gonzalez, 11-3, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8, 11-3
Q1: Tony Carson vs. Andrew Price, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6

Q4: Brandon Cortese d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 14-12
Q5: Cliff Swain d. Erik Leetch, 11-2, 11-6, 13-11

Q6: James Slamko d. Dan Case, 11-7, 11-7, 13-15, 11-1
Q3: Conrad Cole d. Juan Herrera, WBF

Q2: Anthony Herrera d. Eric Desrochers, 11-6, 12-10, 2-11, 11-5
Q7: Brad Schopieray d. John Scott, 11-9, 11-2, 11-9

Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk v. Lee Connell
Andy Hawthorne v. Tony Carson

Shane Vanderson v. Brandon Cortese
Jose Rojas v. Cliff Swain

Ben Croft v. James Slamko
Charlie Pratt v. Conrad Cole

Chris Crowther v. Anthony Herrera
Rocky Carson v. Brad Schopieray

Follow the bouncing ball....

Red Swain Shootout - First Round Draws

The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is back in action today with the Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan. There are two rounds of qualifying on Thursday.

Ruben Gonzalez continues his quest to make the top 10 by year's end, and he'll play Canadian Lee Connell first in the second round of qualifying. If he defeats Connell, then he'll be up against IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in what would be a battle of a legend from the past and legend from the present, and such battles usually go to the present.

Three of the top 8 IRT players - Rocky Carson, Chris Crowther, Shane Vanderson - spent most of the last two weeks in Guadalajara, Mexico playing on Team USA for the Pan Am Games, so we'll see if there's any Pan Am Games hangover.

The IRT Network is webcasting the Red Swain Shootout beginning Thursday at 8 PM EDT with Gonzalez versus Connell, and continuing with the main draw on Friday when the Round of 16 begins at 11:30 AM EDT.

2011 Red Swain Shootout, Davison, Michigan

Round 1 (64s)

Andrew Price vs. Sami Harb
Brian Pineda vs. Brandon Cortese

Cliff Swain vs. Jason Kennedy
Dan Case vs. Nathan Tucker

Conrad Cole vs. Mark Brower
Eric Desrochers vs. Jim Bronson

Round 2 (32s)

Q8: Ruben Gonzalez vs. Lee Connell
Q1: Tony Carson vs. Andrew Price or Sami Harb

Q4: Arthur Schmeiser vs. Brian Pineda or Brandon Cortese
Q5: Erik Leetch vs. Cliff Swain or Jason Kennedy

Q6: James Slamko vs. Dan Case or Nathan Tucker
Q3: Juan Herrera vs. Conrad Cole or Mark Brower

Q2: Anthony Herrera vs. Eric Desrochers or Jim Bronson
Q7: Brad Shopieray vs. John Scott

Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Andy Hawthorne v. Q4

Shane Vanderson v. Q2
Jose Rojas v. Q3

Ben Croft v. Q6
Charlie Pratt v. Q1

Chris Crowther v. Q5
Rocky Carson v. Q7

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT Rankings - October 18, 2011

Kane Waselenchuk, 7 time US Open winner, remains the #1 ranked player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) with Rocky Carson in #2. Ben Croft is up to #3.

Jose Rojas has reached a career high ranking at #5, behind retired Jack Huczek. Chris Crowther is up to #6 and Andy Hawthorne has fallen to #7.

Rounding out the top ten are Shane Vanderson in 8th, Charlie Pratt 9th and Tony Carson in 10th.

Young players Daniel De La Rosa is #16, Taylor Knoth is #18, and Felipe Camacho #19, which we believe are all career highs.

The IRT is back in action this weekend with the Red Swain Memorial tournament in Davison, Michigan.

IRT Rankings 2010-11 Season Ending - October 18, 2011

Rank - Player - Points
1 Kane WASELENCHUK, 4816
2 Rocky CARSON, 4179
4 Ben CROFT, 2840
3 Jack HUCZEK, 2670
6 Jose ROJAS, 2391
7 Chris CROWTHER, 2309
5 Andy HAWTHORNE, 2296
8 Shane VANDERSON, 2157
9 Charlie PRATT, 1729
12 Tony CARSON, 1396

11 Anthony HERRERA, 1199
13 Javier MORENO, 1172
10 Alvaro BELTRAN, 1081
14 Juan HERRERA, 748
16 Daniel DE LA ROSA, 656
15 Alejandro HERRERA, 587
18 Alejandro LANDA, 484
18 Taylor KNOTH, 457
19 Felipe CAMACHO, 442
20 Andres HERRERA, 430

Follow the bouncing ball....

2011 Pan Am Games - Mexico sweeps team gold

Mexico swept the team competitions at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico Tuesday. The Mexican women needed only two matches to defeat Team USA, but the Mexican men needed to win the doubles to beat the American men.

Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas both won their singles matches for Mexico, so they did not have to team up in doubles to defeat the USA. Longoria beat Rhonda Rajsich, 14-15, 15-6, 11-1, for the second time in a month, as she also bested Rajsich at the US Open in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Salas defeated Cheryl Gudinas, 15-8, 15-2, to win Mexico's first gold medal in a Pan Am Games team competition, and perhaps their first ever in international competition.

On the men's side, Rocky Carson got the USA off on the right foot, winning the opening match of the men's final, 15-8, 15-5, against Gilberto Mejia. But Alvaro Beltran leveled the match at 1-1 with a 15-12, 15-8 victory over Chris Crowther.

Thus it came down to the doubles.

Americans Shane Vanderson and Crowther won the first game of the doubles match, but Mexicans Javier Moreno and Beltran won the next two to take the match, 11-15, 15-9, 11-4, and earn a second team gold for Mexico.

The Racquetball Blog believes this is the first time that the USA has not won a team gold medal at an international racquetball competition. They have lost the men's or the overall title (to Canada in all cases) at the World Championships, but always won the women's title.

The 2015 Pan American Games will be held July 10-26 in Toronto, Canada.

2011 Pan American Games - Guadalajara, Mexico

Women's Team - Finals

Mexico d. USA, 2-0
- Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 14-15, 15-6, 11-1
- Samantha Salas d. Cheryl Gudinas, 15-8, 15-2

Men's Team - Final

Mexico d. USA, 2-1
- Rocky Carson d. Gilberto Mejia, 15-8, 15-5
- Alvaro Beltran d. Chris Crowther, 15-12, 15-8
- Beltran & Javier Moreno d. Crowther & Shane Vanderson, 11-15, 15-9, 11-4

Follow the bouncing ball....

2011 Pan Am Games - Mexico & USA to meet in final

Two more Mexico-USA showdowns will close out the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico on Tuesday, as those countries advanced to the team competition finals with wins in the semi-finals.

On the women's side, Mexicans Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas saw off Ecuador with a win in doubles over Maria Cordova and Maria Paz Munoz, 15-7, 15-3. Then Longoria beat Munoz in singles, 15-13, 15-10.

The American women got the final with a win over Bolivia. Rhonda Rajsich and Aimee Ruiz beat Jenny Daza and Cintia Loma in doubles, 15-6, 15-8, and Rajsich beat Loma, 15-4, 15-13, in singles.

On the men's side, Mexico defeated Colombia with a win in doubles, 15-11, 15-11, by Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno against Francisco Gomez and Jose Torres, and in singles as Gilberto Mejia beat Alejandro Herrera, 15-9, 15-3.

The USA defeated Ecuador in two matches. Chris Crowther and Shane Vanderson Jose Alvarez and Fernando Rios, 15-6, 15-1, and Rocky Carson defeated Rios, 15-6, 15-8.

The team competition concludes Tuesday October 25.

2011 Pan American Games - Guadalajara, Mexico

Women's Team - Semi-finals

Mexico d. Ecuador, 2-0
USA d. Bolivia, 2-0

Women's Team - Finals

Mexico vs. USA

Men's Team - Semi-finals

Mexico d. Colombia, 2-0
USA d. Ecuador, 2-0

Men's Team - Final

Mexico vs. USA

Follow the bouncing ball....

2011 Pan Am Games - Team competition begins

The team competition of the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico began Sunday. In this competition, countries compete against each other in a best of three matches, consisting of two singles matches and a doubles match. The order of the matches varies, so, for example, the doubles match could be the first, second or third match, if necessary.

An aspect of the team competition is that countries can shuffle their line ups from the individual competitions, so the players who competed in singles or doubles or both may not be the same in the team competition as it was in the earlier individual competition.

For example, it seems Chris Crowther is playing singles and doubles for the USA.

The first result goes to the Ecuador men's team, who defeated Dominican Republic 2-0, winning the two singles matches, as Fernando Rios defeated Luis Perez, 15-10, 15-10, and Jose Ugalde beat Ramon De Leon, 15-8, 15-7. Ecuador will now play Canada in the quarter finals.

In other early men's action, Argentina defeated Costa Rica with a doubles win, 15-8, 15-12, after spliting their singles matches with Daniel Maggi (Arg) beating Teobaldo Fumero (CR), 15-3, 15-14, and Felipe Camacho (CR) besting Shai Manzuri (Arg), 7-15, 15-4, 11-1. Argentina will now play Mexico in the quarter finals.

Finally in the first round, Bolivia beat Honduras in two straight matches. Ricardo Monroy beat Selvin Cruz, 15-2, 15-2, and Carlos Keller defeated Raul Banegas, 15-1, 15-12. Bolivia then played the USA in the quarter finals, and lost 2-0.

American Chris Crowther was part of both winning matches against Bolivia, as he beat Carlos Keller, 15-7, 15-10, and teamed with Shane Vanderson to win doubles over Roland Keller and Monroy, 15-7, 15-10.

Mexico also won 2-0 in the men's quarter finals. Alvaro Beltran was part of the two wins for Mexico as they defeated Argentina. Beltran defeated Shai Manzuri, 15-6, 15-4, and teamed with Javier Moreno to win doubles over Manzuri and Daniel Maggi, 15-10, 15-10.

USA will play Ecuador in the semi-finals, as Ecuador defeated Canada 2-1. Jose Alvarez and Fernando Rios (Ecuador) beat Mike Green and Kris Odegard in doubles, 15-7, 11-15, 11-8. Vincent Gagnon leveled the match at 1-1 with a 15-7, 15-9 victory over Jose Ugalde. But in the tie-breaker, Rios defeated Tim Landeryou, 15-13, 15-13.

In women's quarter final action, top seeded Mexico beat Venezuela. Samantha Salas defeated Mariana Tobon, 15-0, 15-6, and then teamed with Paola Longoria to defeat Tobon and Ishey Paredes, 15-3, 15-1.

Ecuador defeated Canada, 2-1, with wins in singles - Maria Paz Munoz defeating Jennifer Saunders, 15-4, 15-11 - and doubles - Munor and Maria Cordova beat Saunders and Brandi Jacobson Prentice, 12-15, 15-10, 11-1. Frédérique Lambert defeated Cordova, 15-7, 8-15, 11-2.

The USA beat the Dominican Republic, 2-0, as Cheryl Gudinas beat Yira Portes, 15-0, 15-1, and Rhonda Rajsich and Aimee Ruiz beat Portes and Claudine Garcia, 15-9, 15-6.

Bolivia were also 2-0 winners, defeating Chile, as Maria Vargas beat Carla Munoz, 15-5, 15-6, and Jenny Daza and Cintia Loma beat Munoz and Angela Grisar, 15-6, 15-7.

In the first round match, Venezuela beat Argentina, 2-1. Mariana Tobon (Ven) beating Dafne Macrino (Arg), 15-2, 15-3, Véronique Guillemette (Arg) defeating Ishey Paredes, 15-6, 15-6, then Tobon and Paredes won the doubles 15-8, 13-15, 11-9, over Guillemette and Macrino.

The team competition runs Sunday October 23 to Tuesday October 25.

2011 Pan American Games - Guadalajara, Mexico

Women's Team - Quarter finals

Mexico d. Venezuela, 2-0
Ecuador d. Canada, 2-1

Bolivia d. Chile, 2-0
USA d. Dominican Republic, 2-0

Women's Team - Semi-finals

Mexico d. Ecuador
USA vs. Bolivia

Men's Team - Quarter finals

Mexico d. Argentina, 2-0
Colombia d. Venezuela, 2-1

USA d. Bolivia, 2-0
Ecuador d. Canada, 2-1

Men's Team - Semi-finals

Mexico vs. Colombia
USA vs. Ecuador

Men's Team - First round

Ecuador d. Dominican Republic, 2-0
Bolivia d. Honduras, 2-1
Argentina d. Costa Rica, 2-1

Follow the bouncing ball....

2011 Pan Am Games - 3 Gold for Mexico, 1 for USA

Tonight Mexican Paola Longoria has two gold medals around her neck as she won women's singles and doubles (with Samantha Salas) at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. American Rhonda Rajsich has two silver medals, as she fell to Longoria in both finals, each of which required a tie-breaker to decide the outcome.

In singles, Longoria beat Rajsich, 12-15, 15-10, 11-9, to win Pan Am Games gold for the first time by a Mexican. In fact, it's the first Pan Am Games medal of any sort for Mexico in women's singles.

Rajsich's silver medal is her first Pan Am Games medal in individual competition.

In women's doubles, the Mexicans took the first game but then needed a third game to overcome Rajsich and Aimee Ruiz, 15-12, 5-15, 11-5.

The men's singles final was a showdown of the 2003 Pan Am Games bronze medalists with American Rocky Carson defeating Mexican Gilberto Mejia in two straight games, 15-1, 15-13. Carson's win continues the streak of American men winning Pan Am Games gold. He joins the list of Pan Am Games gold medalists with John Ellis (1995), Adam Karp (1999), and Jack Huczek (2003).

In men's doubles, Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno of Mexico won gold for the second consecutive Pan Am Games, having done it in 2003 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. They defeated Cesar Castro and Jorge Hirsekorn of Venezuela, 15-14, 15-4, in the final.

Nevertheless, Castro and Hirsekorn are the first non-North Americans to win silver at the Pan Am Games. Pan Am Games finals have exclusively been between players from Mexico, the USA and Canada prior to today.

Mexico increased its gold medal haul from two in 2003 - men's and women's doubles - to three in 2011 - women's singles, men's and women's doubles. USA's gold medal count decreased as a result of Mexico's increase, as the Americans won only one gold in Guadalajara.

Only Mexico and the USA have ever won gold at the Pan Am Games.

The racquetball competition's individual competition concluded Saturday October 22 and a team competition will run Sunday October 23 to Tuesday October 25.

2011 Pan American Games - Guadalajara, Mexico

Men Singles - Final

Rocky Carson (USA) d. Gilberto Mejia (Mex), 15-1, 15-13

Women Singles - Final

Paola Longoria (Mex) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 12-15, 15-10, 11-9

Men Doubles - Final

Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mex) d. Cesar Castro & Jorge Hirsekorn (Venezuela), 15-14, 15-4

Women Singles - Final

Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mex) d. Rhonda Rajsich & Aimee Ruiz (USA), 12-15, 5-15, 11-5

Follow the bouncing ball....

2011 Pan Am Games - Doubles Playoffs Day 2

Mexicans Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno will have a chance to defend the men's doubles title they won at the 2003 Pan Am Games, as they reached the final of the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico with a tie-breaker win over Americans Chris Crowther and Shane Vanderson, 9-15, 15-1, 11-4.

Mexico will face Venezuelans Cesar Castro and Jorge Hirsekorn, who didn't score as many points as their Canadian opponents Tim Landeryou and Kris Odegard, but they won more games, taking the semi-final 15-14, 3-15, 11-10 in a match that lasted 94 min. The tie-breaker alone took 37 min.

This is the first time Venezuela has made a final at the Pan Am Games. The Venezuela did earn bronze in men's doubles at the 1995 Pan Am Games. Also, it's the first men's doubles final without the USA or Canada as one of the finalists.

Mexico will also play for gold on the women's side, as Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas beat Chileans Angela Grisar and Carla Munoz, 15-5, 15-5.

If successful, it would be the second consecutive Pan Am Games gold for Mexico in women's doubles, as Susana Acosta and Rosa Torres won gold in 2003 beating Americans Jackie Rice and Kim Russell in the final.

Americans Rhonda Rajsich and Aimee Ruiz will have a chance to reverse that 2003 result, as they reached the final with a 15-8, 15-5 victory over Ecuadorians Maria Cordova and Maria Munoz in the other semi-final.

The racquetball competition's individual competition will conclude Saturday October 22 and a team competition will run Sunday October 23 to Tuesday October 25.

2011 Pan American Games - Guadalajara, Mexico

Men's Doubles - Semi finals

Mexico d. USA, 9-15, 15-1, 11-4
Venezuela d. Canada, 15-14, 3-15, 11-10

Men's Doubles - Final

Mexico vs. Venezuela

Women's Doubles - Semi finals

Mexico d. Chile, 15-5, 15-5
USA d. Ecuador, 15-8, 15-5

Women's Doubles - Final

Mexico vs. USA

Follow the bouncing ball....

2011 Pan Am Games - Singles Playoffs Day 2

Mexico and the USA have chances to sweep men's and women's singles gold medals at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, as both finals are Mexico-USA showdowns. The women's final will be a repeat of the US Open from two weeks ago, as Paola Longoria will face Rhonda Rajsich, while on the men's side it's Rocky Carson versus Gilberto Mejia.

Longoria got there with a semi-final win over American Cheryl Gudinas - the gold medalist in women's singles at the two most recent Pan Am Games racquetball competitions: 2003 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and 1999 in Winnipeg, Canada. Longoria won 15-7, 15-10.

Rajsich defeated Bolivian Maria Vargas, 15-6, 15-7, in the semi-finals, and will try to carry on the tradition of American Pan Am Games gold medalists in women's singles that began with Michelle Gould in 1995 and continued with Gudinas in 1999 and 2003.

Carson's got a similar tradition to continue, as previous Pan Am Games gold medalists in men's singles have all been American: John Ellis in 1995, Adam Karp in 1999, and Jack Huczek in 2003.

In the semi-finals, Carson beat Alavro Beltran, 15-12, 15-12, and Mejia defeated Canadian Vincent Gagnon, 15-11, 14-15, 11-5.

The racquetball competition's individual competition will conclude Saturday October 22 and a team competition will run Sunday October 23 to Tuesday October 25.

2011 Pan American Games - Guadalajara, Mexico

Men Singles - Semi finals (Friday)

Rocky Carson (USA) d. Alvaro Beltran (Mex), 15-12, 15-12
Gilberto Mejia (Mex) d. Vincent Gagnon (Can), 15-11, 14-15, 11-5

Men Singles - Finals

Rocky Carson (USA) vs. Gilberto Mejia (Mex)

Women Singles - Semi finals (Friday)

Paola Longoria (Mex) d. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 15-7, 15-10
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Maria Vargas (Bol), 15-6, 15-7

Women Singles - Finals

Paola Longoria (Mex) vs. Rhonda Rajsich (USA)

Men Singles - Quarter finals

Alvaro Beltran (Mex) d. Fernando Rios (Ecu), 15-10, 15-5
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Carlos Keller (Bol), 15-11, 15-0

Gilberto Mejia (Mex) d. Juan Herrera (Col), 15-10, 15-8
Vincent Gagnon (Can) d. Luis Perez (Dom), 15-7, 15-9

Women Singles - Quarter finals

Paola Longoria (Mex) d. Samantha Salas (Mex), 15-7, 15-5
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. Angela Grisar (Chile), 13-15, 15-4, 11-1

Maria Vargas (Bol) d. Jenny Daza (Bol), 15-6, 15-13
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador), 15-13, 15-6

Follow the bouncing ball....

2011 Pan Am Games - Doubles Playoffs Day 1

The doubles playoff at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico has mostly gone according to the seedings. One exception is on the women's side, where the Ecuador team of Maria Cordova and Maria Munoz beat Bolivians Jenny Daza and Cinto Loma, 15-10, 2-15, 11-7, to reach semi-finals.

The other women's quarter finals were all decided in two straight games. Mexicans Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas defeated Canadians Josée Grand'Maître and Brandi Jacobson Prentice, 15-1, 15-2. Americans Rhonda Rajsich and Aimee Ruiz beat Dominican Republicans Claudine Garcia and Yira Portes, 15-2, 15-6. And Chileans Angela Grisar and Carla Munoz beat Veronique Guillemette and Dafne Macrino of Argentina, 15-12, 15-6.

On the men's side, Mexicans Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno are through to the semi-finals with a 15-4, 15-7 win over Colombians Francisco Gomez and Jose Torres.

Next up for Mexico will be the USA, as Chris Crowther and Shane Vanderson beat the Argentina team of Daniel Maggi and Shai Manzuri, 15-9, 15-6.

On the other side of the men's draw, it'll be Canada versus Venezuela in the semi-finals, as Canadians Tim Landeryou and Kris Odegard beat Bolivians Roland Keller and Ricardo Monroy, 3-15, 15-10, 11-8 and Venezuelans Cesar Castro and Jorge Hirsekorn won a three game match against 2nd seeds Teobaldo Fumero and Felipe Camacho, 9-15, 15-11, 11-6.

The racquetball competition's individual competition will conclude Saturday October 22 and a team competition will run Sunday October 23 to Tuesday October 25.

2011 Pan American Games - Guadalajara, Mexico

Women's Doubles - Quarter finals

Mexico d. Canada, 15-1, 15-2
Chile d. Argentina, 15-12, 15-6

Ecuador d. Bolivia, 15-10, 2-15, 11-7
USA d. Dominican Republic, 15-2, 15-6

Women's Doubles - Semi finals

Mexico vs. Chile
USA vs. Ecuador

Men's Doubles - Quarter finals

Mexico d. Colombia, 15-4, 15-7
USA d. Argentina, 15-9, 15-6

Canada d. Bolivia, 3-15, 15-10, 11-8
Venezuela d. Costa Rica, 9-15, 15-11, 11-6

Men's Doubles - Semi finals

Mexico vs. USA
Canada vs. Venezuela

Women's Doubles - Round of 16

Mexico BYE
Canada d. Venezuela, 15-6, 15-13

Chile BYE
Argentina BYE

Bolivia BYE
Ecuador BYE

Dominican Republic BYE
USA BYE

Men's Doubles - Round of 16

Mexico BYE
Colombia d. Dominican Republic, 10-15, 15-2, 11-6

USA BYE
Argentina BYE

Canada BYE
Bolivia d. Ecuador, 15-14, 15-8

Venezuela d. Honduras, 15-10, 15-7
Costa Rica BYE

Follow the bouncing ball....