The In-Shape Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) Championships presented by Ektelon is the final event of the 2010-2011 WPRO season. It begins Friday in Stockton, California, and the #1 ranking is on the line, as only a little over 60 points separate #1 Paola Longoria and #2 Rhonda Rajsich.
Longoria has defeated Rajsich in the finals of the last three WPRO events. However, Rajsich beat Longoria last week at the Pan American Championships in Managua, Nicaragua.
So if you were a betting person, you might push on trying to pick a winner between these two this weekend.
However, the year end #1 may not win this event. In fact, the year end event has not been won by either Longoria or Rajsich the last two years. WPRO #3 Cheryl Gudinas won it last year, and two years ago it went to Kristen Bellows.
Gudinas won't defend the title this weekend, as she's not in the draw. Gudinas has had injury problems of late, which likely explains her absence. That means Samantha Salas Solis could be #3 next week in the year end WPRO rankings, as she's only 17 points behind Gudinas in the rankings. That would be a career high for Salas Solis.
Also missing is the #5 WPRO player Kerri Wachtel. Wachtel is about 100 points ahead of Jennifer Saunders in the rankings, so a good finish by Saunders on the weekend could put her into 5th spot, which would be a career high for her. However, Wachtel didn't play this event last year either, so, unlike Gudinas, she has no points to defend.
Bellows hasn't played much since winning this event two years ago, but she is in the Stockton draw. As the 18th seed she plays Linda Scales in the first round with the winner to face Rajsich.
Both the Round of 32 and the Round of 16 will be played on Friday with the quarter finals and semi finals set for Saturday. The final is Sunday.
The IRT Network is webcasting some of the matches from Stockton beginning on Saturday April 30.
2011 In-Shape WPRO Championships presented by Ektelon
Round of 32
Paola Longoria vs. BYE
Jocelyn Loredo vs. Janel Tisinger
Angela Grisar vs. BYE
Krystal Csuk vs. BYE
Adrienne Fisher vs. BYE
Da'monique Davis vs. Melissa McElfresh
Aimee Ruiz vs. Devon Pimentelli
Jennifer Saunders vs. BYE
Samantha Salas vs. BYE
Sofia Rascon vs. Aubrey O'Brien
Susy Acosta vs. BYE
Nancy Enriquez vs. BYE
Cristina Amaya vs. BYE
T.J. Baumbaugh vs. BYE
Linda Scales vs. Kristen Bellows
Rhonda Rajsich vs. BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, April 28, 2011
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