Kane Waselenchuk continues to be the #1 ranked player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), and Rocky Carson continues to be #2. But Ben Croft is now #4 with the retired Jack Huczek in #3. The IRT's rankings system uses a "rolling 12 month calendar of tournaments," so rankings can change without an event occurring if there was an event at that time last year.
Andy Hawthorne is now ranked #5, with Jose Rojas #6, Chris Crowther #7, and Shane Vanderson #8. Rounding out the top 10 are Charlie Pratt in 9th and Alvaro Beltran in 10th.
Jason Mannino, IRT President, confirmed that this is the last ranking run before next week's US Open, which means there won't be a repeat of last year's US Open final between Waselenchuk and Beltran, as Beltran will be seeded 9th (as Huczek isn't in the US Open draw) and would face Waselenchuk in the quarter finals, if they both get to that point.
IRT Rankings 2010-11 Season Ending - September 28, 2011
Rank Player Points
1 Kane WASELENCHUK, 4621
2 Rocky CARSON, 3864
3 Jack HUCZEK, 2910
4 Ben CROFT, 2881
5 Andy HAWTHORNE, 2198
6 Jose ROJAS, 2174
7 Chris CROWTHER, 1990
8 Shane VANDERSON, 1939
9 Charlie PRATT, 1658
10 Alvaro BELTRAN, 1297
11 Anthony HERRERA, 1285
12 Tony CARSON, 1246
13 Javier MORENO, 1094
14 Juan HERRERA, 906
15 Alejandro HERRERA, 538
16 Daniel DE LA ROSA, 515
17 Mitch WILLIAMS, 503
18 Mike ORR, 458
18 Alejandro LANDA, 458
20 Andres HERRERA, 411
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Ghost of Georgetown - Waselenchuk wins again
Top seed Kane Waselenchuk defeated 2nd seed Rocky Carson in three straight games in the final of the 12th Annual Ghost of Georgetown / Kansas City Pro-Am presented by Novasors - the first Tier 1 event of the 2011-12 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season. Waselenchuk won 11-3, 11-5, 11-1.
Waselenchuk has only lost two tournaments that he's competeted in since he rejoined the IRT in 2008 - a period that now spans over three seasons. Last season, Waselenchuk and Carson met in the finals 10 times, and Waselenchuk won all 10.
12th Ghost of Georgetown, Kansas City
Final
Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson, 11-3, 11-5, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball....
Waselenchuk has only lost two tournaments that he's competeted in since he rejoined the IRT in 2008 - a period that now spans over three seasons. Last season, Waselenchuk and Carson met in the finals 10 times, and Waselenchuk won all 10.
12th Ghost of Georgetown, Kansas City
Final
Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson, 11-3, 11-5, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Ghost of Georgetown - Semi finals
Kane Waselenchuk and Rocky Carson again demonstrated why they are considered the best racquetball players in the world by both advancing to the finals of the 12th Annual Ghost of Georgetown / Kansas City Pro-Am presented by Novasors in three straight games. They will battle it out on Sunday for the first title of the 2011-12 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season.
Waselenchuk beat Andy Hawthorne, 11-5, 11-3, 11-0, while Carson dispatched Ben Croft, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5. Waselenchuk and Carson met in the finals 10 times last season, and Waselenchuk won all 10.
The IRT Network will webcasting the Ghost of Georgetown final at noon CDT on Sunday.
12th Ghost of Georgetown, Kansas City
Semi finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-5, 11-3, 11-0
Rocky Carson d. Ben Croft, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5
Final
Kane Waselenchuk v. Rocky Carson
Follow the bouncing ball....
Waselenchuk beat Andy Hawthorne, 11-5, 11-3, 11-0, while Carson dispatched Ben Croft, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5. Waselenchuk and Carson met in the finals 10 times last season, and Waselenchuk won all 10.
The IRT Network will webcasting the Ghost of Georgetown final at noon CDT on Sunday.
12th Ghost of Georgetown, Kansas City
Semi finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-5, 11-3, 11-0
Rocky Carson d. Ben Croft, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5
Final
Kane Waselenchuk v. Rocky Carson
Follow the bouncing ball....
Ghost of Georgetown - Quarter finals
The top three seeds are through to the semi-finals of the 12th Annual Ghost of Georgetown / Kansas City Pro-Am presented by Novasors on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), although it hasn't been easy as even top seed Kane Waselenchuk dropped a game on route to victory in the quarter finals on Friday. Waselenchuk defeated 9th Anthony Herrera, 11-4, 11-2, 10-12, 11-6.
In the closest quarter final match, 2nd seed Rocky Carson came back from 2 games to 1 down to defeat Alvaro Beltran in five, 12-10, 9-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-9. Carson will face 3rd seed Ben Croft in the semi-finals on Saturday as Croft defeated Jose Rojas, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-2.
In the last quarter final, Andy Hawthorne defeated Javier Moreno, 11-6, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6.
The IRT Network is webcasting the Ghost of Georgetown and they will have Saturday's quarter finals beginning at 4:00 PM CDT.
12th Ghost of Georgetown, Kansas City
Quarter finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Anthony Herrera, 11-4, 11-2, 10-12, 11-6
Andy Hawthorne d. Javier Moreno, 11-6, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6
Ben Croft d. Jose Rojas, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-2
Rocky Carson d. Alvaro Beltran, 12-10, 9-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-9
Semi finals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Andy Hawthorne
Rocky Carson v. Ben Croft
Follow the bouncing ball....
In the closest quarter final match, 2nd seed Rocky Carson came back from 2 games to 1 down to defeat Alvaro Beltran in five, 12-10, 9-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-9. Carson will face 3rd seed Ben Croft in the semi-finals on Saturday as Croft defeated Jose Rojas, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-2.
In the last quarter final, Andy Hawthorne defeated Javier Moreno, 11-6, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6.
The IRT Network is webcasting the Ghost of Georgetown and they will have Saturday's quarter finals beginning at 4:00 PM CDT.
12th Ghost of Georgetown, Kansas City
Quarter finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Anthony Herrera, 11-4, 11-2, 10-12, 11-6
Andy Hawthorne d. Javier Moreno, 11-6, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6
Ben Croft d. Jose Rojas, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-2
Rocky Carson d. Alvaro Beltran, 12-10, 9-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-9
Semi finals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Andy Hawthorne
Rocky Carson v. Ben Croft
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, September 16, 2011
Ghost of Georgetown - Round of 16 results
Kane Waselenchuk won another match Friday, as he won his first match of the 12th Annual Ghost of Georgetown / Kansas City Pro-Am presented by Novasors, by defeating Felipe Camacho, 11-2, 11-1, 11-1. Since returning to the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) in 2008, Waselenchuk has only lost only twice.
He'll next play 9th Anthony Herrera, who was an upset winner against 8th Charlie Pratt, 11-9, 4-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9.
Alvaro Beltran was also an upset winner, as he defeated Shane Vanderson in a match that also went five games, with Beltran coming out on top, 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 9-11, 11-2. He'll next be up against Rocky Carson, who beat Alex Ackermann, 11-4, 11-0, 11-5, in the Round of 16.
The IRT Network is webcasting the Ghost of Georgetown through the weekend with the Round of 16 beginning at 11:30 AM CDT and quarter finals starting at 5:30 CDT. The IRT Network has upped their game by having cameras set up on both the two IRT courts, so are switching back and forth between games as appropriate.
12th Ghost of Georgetown, Kansas City
Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk d. Felipe Camacho, 11-2, 11-1, 11-1
Anthony Herrera d. Charlie Pratt, 11-9, 4-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9
Andy Hawthorne d. Juan Herrera, 7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 6-11, 11-8
Javier Moreno d. Chris Crowther, 11-7, 1-11, 11-8, 1-11, 11-4
Ben Croft d. Alejandro Herrera, 11-6, 11-9, 11-13, 11-4
Jose Rojas d. Tony Carson, 11-5, 11-3, 11-6
Alvaro Beltran d. Shane Vanderson, 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 9-11, 11-2
Rocky Carson d. Alex Ackermann, 11-4, 11-0, 11-5
Quarter finals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Anthony Herrera
Andy Hawthorne or Juan Herrera v. Chris Crowther or Javier Moreno
Ben Croft v. Jose Rojas
Rocky Carson v. Alvaro Beltran
Follow the bouncing ball....
He'll next play 9th Anthony Herrera, who was an upset winner against 8th Charlie Pratt, 11-9, 4-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9.
Alvaro Beltran was also an upset winner, as he defeated Shane Vanderson in a match that also went five games, with Beltran coming out on top, 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 9-11, 11-2. He'll next be up against Rocky Carson, who beat Alex Ackermann, 11-4, 11-0, 11-5, in the Round of 16.
The IRT Network is webcasting the Ghost of Georgetown through the weekend with the Round of 16 beginning at 11:30 AM CDT and quarter finals starting at 5:30 CDT. The IRT Network has upped their game by having cameras set up on both the two IRT courts, so are switching back and forth between games as appropriate.
12th Ghost of Georgetown, Kansas City
Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk d. Felipe Camacho, 11-2, 11-1, 11-1
Anthony Herrera d. Charlie Pratt, 11-9, 4-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9
Andy Hawthorne d. Juan Herrera, 7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 6-11, 11-8
Javier Moreno d. Chris Crowther, 11-7, 1-11, 11-8, 1-11, 11-4
Ben Croft d. Alejandro Herrera, 11-6, 11-9, 11-13, 11-4
Jose Rojas d. Tony Carson, 11-5, 11-3, 11-6
Alvaro Beltran d. Shane Vanderson, 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 9-11, 11-2
Rocky Carson d. Alex Ackermann, 11-4, 11-0, 11-5
Quarter finals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Anthony Herrera
Andy Hawthorne or Juan Herrera v. Chris Crowther or Javier Moreno
Ben Croft v. Jose Rojas
Rocky Carson v. Alvaro Beltran
Follow the bouncing ball....
Ghost of Georgetwwn - Preliminary round results
Alex Ackermann is the big winner after the preliminary rounds of the 12th Annual Ghost of Georgetown / Kansas City Pro-Am presented by Novasors, the first stop on the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) 2011-2012 season. Ackermann was the only player to upset a higher seed in the final round of qualifying, as he beat Alejandro Landa, 11-6, 11-7, 11-3. The puts Ackermann in the Round of 16 versus Rocky Carson.
Ruben Gonzalez's quest for the top 10 hit a snag, as he lost his first match to 20th seed Sebastian Franco, 11-6, 12-10, 6-11, 11-8. Franco lost in the next round to Mexican veteran Javier Moreno, 11-4, 11-7, 13-11. Moreno will face 4th seed Chris Crowther in the 16s.
The IRT Network is webcasting the Ghost of Georgetown through the weekend with the Round of 16 beginning at 11:30 AM CDT and quarter finals starting at 5:30 CDT.
12th Ghost of Georgetown, Kansas City
Round 1 (128s)
Brad Shopieray d. Logan Reese, 11-3, 11-6, 11-7
Francisco Gomez d. Armando Bermudez, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5
Tyler Otto d. Bart Miller, 11-3, 11-0, 11-6
Bradley Rogers d. Juan Carlos Torres, 11-9, 12-10, 6-11, 6-11, 11-8
Peter Wrigley d. Brian Watson, 11-6, 11-1, 11-7
Cesar Castro d. Clinton Mehta, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3
Cesar Castillo d. Travis Kern, 13-11, 11-6, 11-2
Travis Woodbury d. Dan Case, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-1
Round 2 (64s)
Felipe Camacho d. Juan Martinez, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3
Teobaldo Fumero d. Arthur Schmeiser, 9-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-0
Anthony Herrera v. BYE
Francisco Gomez d. Brad Shopieray, 8-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-6
Juan Herrera d. Juan Rivas, 10-12, 11-8, 14-12, 11-0
Tyler Otto d. Erik Leetch, 5-11, 11-8, 11-3 11-4
Javier Moreno d. Bradley Rogers, 10-12, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7
Sebastian Franco d. Ruben Gonzalez, 11-6, 12-10, 6-11, 11-8
Alejandro Herrera d. Peter Wrigley, 11-8, 11-2, 11-7
Jansen Allen d. John Scott, 11-1, 11-6, 11-5
Tony Carson d. Cesar Castro, 11-8, 11-2, 11-3
Nick Montalbano d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 11-4, 6-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-3
Alvaro Beltran d. Cesar Castillo, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4
Polo Gutierrez d. James Slamko, 11-6, 11-3, 11-5
Alejandro Landa d. Travis Woodbury, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-3
Alex Ackermann d. Jose Diaz, 9-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-8
Round 3 (32s)
Q1: Felipe Camacho d. Teobaldo Fumero, 11-7, 11-8, 11-8
Q8: Anthony Herrera d. Francisco Gomez, 11-1, 11-8, 11-2
Q4: Juan Herrera d. Tyler Otto, 9-11, 11-4, 11-1, 11-3
Q5: Javier Moreno d. Sebastian Franco, 11-4, 11-7, 13-11
Q6: Alejandro Herrera d. Jansen Allen, 11-6, 11-2, 11-4
Q3: Tony Carson d. Nick Montalbano, 11-5, 13-11, 13-11
Q2: Alvaro Beltran d. Polo Gutierrez, 3-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3
Q7: Alex Ackermann d. Alejandro Landa, 11-6, 11-7, 11-3
Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk v. Felipe Camacho
Charlie Pratt v. Anthony Herrera
Andy Hawthorne v. Juan Herrera
Chris Crowther v. Javier Moreno
Ben Croft v. Alejandro Herrera
Jose Rojas v. Tony Carson
Shane Vanderson v. Alvaro Beltran
Rocky Carson v. Alex Ackermann
Follow the bouncing ball....
Ruben Gonzalez's quest for the top 10 hit a snag, as he lost his first match to 20th seed Sebastian Franco, 11-6, 12-10, 6-11, 11-8. Franco lost in the next round to Mexican veteran Javier Moreno, 11-4, 11-7, 13-11. Moreno will face 4th seed Chris Crowther in the 16s.
The IRT Network is webcasting the Ghost of Georgetown through the weekend with the Round of 16 beginning at 11:30 AM CDT and quarter finals starting at 5:30 CDT.
12th Ghost of Georgetown, Kansas City
Round 1 (128s)
Brad Shopieray d. Logan Reese, 11-3, 11-6, 11-7
Francisco Gomez d. Armando Bermudez, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5
Tyler Otto d. Bart Miller, 11-3, 11-0, 11-6
Bradley Rogers d. Juan Carlos Torres, 11-9, 12-10, 6-11, 6-11, 11-8
Peter Wrigley d. Brian Watson, 11-6, 11-1, 11-7
Cesar Castro d. Clinton Mehta, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3
Cesar Castillo d. Travis Kern, 13-11, 11-6, 11-2
Travis Woodbury d. Dan Case, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-1
Round 2 (64s)
Felipe Camacho d. Juan Martinez, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3
Teobaldo Fumero d. Arthur Schmeiser, 9-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-0
Anthony Herrera v. BYE
Francisco Gomez d. Brad Shopieray, 8-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-6
Juan Herrera d. Juan Rivas, 10-12, 11-8, 14-12, 11-0
Tyler Otto d. Erik Leetch, 5-11, 11-8, 11-3 11-4
Javier Moreno d. Bradley Rogers, 10-12, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7
Sebastian Franco d. Ruben Gonzalez, 11-6, 12-10, 6-11, 11-8
Alejandro Herrera d. Peter Wrigley, 11-8, 11-2, 11-7
Jansen Allen d. John Scott, 11-1, 11-6, 11-5
Tony Carson d. Cesar Castro, 11-8, 11-2, 11-3
Nick Montalbano d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 11-4, 6-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-3
Alvaro Beltran d. Cesar Castillo, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4
Polo Gutierrez d. James Slamko, 11-6, 11-3, 11-5
Alejandro Landa d. Travis Woodbury, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-3
Alex Ackermann d. Jose Diaz, 9-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-8
Round 3 (32s)
Q1: Felipe Camacho d. Teobaldo Fumero, 11-7, 11-8, 11-8
Q8: Anthony Herrera d. Francisco Gomez, 11-1, 11-8, 11-2
Q4: Juan Herrera d. Tyler Otto, 9-11, 11-4, 11-1, 11-3
Q5: Javier Moreno d. Sebastian Franco, 11-4, 11-7, 13-11
Q6: Alejandro Herrera d. Jansen Allen, 11-6, 11-2, 11-4
Q3: Tony Carson d. Nick Montalbano, 11-5, 13-11, 13-11
Q2: Alvaro Beltran d. Polo Gutierrez, 3-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3
Q7: Alex Ackermann d. Alejandro Landa, 11-6, 11-7, 11-3
Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk v. Felipe Camacho
Charlie Pratt v. Anthony Herrera
Andy Hawthorne v. Juan Herrera
Chris Crowther v. Javier Moreno
Ben Croft v. Alejandro Herrera
Jose Rojas v. Tony Carson
Shane Vanderson v. Alvaro Beltran
Rocky Carson v. Alex Ackermann
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Ghost of Georgetown - Preliminary Rounds
The draw for the 12th Annual Ghost of Georgetown / Kansas City Pro-Am presented by Novasors has been released. This kicks off the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) 2011-2012 season.
This is the season that Ruben Gonzalez, at 59, is trying to make the top 10 by year's end, when he is to retire at age 60. His quest begins with a match against 20th seed Sebastian Franco, who played seven events last season but never advanced past the round of 32 (i.e., never made the main round of 16).
If Gonzalez defeats Franco, he'll likely face Mexican veteran Javier Moreno in the final qualifying round. That will be for a chance to play Chris Crowther in the 16s.
The IRT Network is webcasting the Ghost of Georgetown beginning today at 10 PM CDT with the Round of 32, and carrying on with the main draw on Friday when the Round of 16 begins at 11:30 AM.
12th Ghost of Georgetown, Kansas City
Round 1 (128s)
Brad Shopieray v. Logan Reese
Francisco Gomez v. Armando Bermudez
Tyler Otto v. Bart Miller
Bradley Rogers v. Juan Carlos Torres
Peter Wrigley v. Brian Watson
Cesar Castro v. Clinton Mehta
Cesar Castillo v. Travis Kern
Dan Case v. Travis Woodbury
Round 2 (64s)
Felipe Camacho v. Juan Martinez
Arthur Schmeiser v. Teobaldo Fumero
Anthony Herrera v. BYE
Brad Shopieray or Logan Reese v. Francisco Gomez or Armando Bermudez
Juan Herrera v. Juan Rivas
Erik Leetch v. Tyler Otto or Bart Miller
Javier Moreno v. Bradley Rogers or Juan Carlos Torres
Sebastian Franco v. Ruben Gonzalez
Alejandro Herrera v. Peter Wrigley or Brian Watson
John Scott v. Jansen Allen
Tony Carson v. Cesar Castro or Clinton Mehta
Nick Montalbano v. Hiroshi Shimizu
Alvaro Beltran v. Cesar Castillo or Travis Kern
James Slamko v. Polo Gutierrez
Alejandro Landa v. Dan Case or Travis Woodbury
Alex Ackermann v. Jose Diaz
Round 3 (32s)
Q1: Felipe Camacho or Juan Martinez v. Arthur Schmeiser v. Teobaldo Fumero
Q8: Anthony Herrera v. Brad Shopieray or Logan Reese or Francisco Gomez or Armando Bermudez
Q4: Juan Herrera or Juan Rivas v. Erik Leetch or Tyler Otto or Bart Miller
Q5: Javier Moreno or Bradley Rogers or Juan Carlos Torres v. Sebastian Franco or Ruben Gonzalez
Q6: Alejandro Herrera or Peter Wrigley or Brian Watson v. John Scott or Jansen Allen
Q3: Tony Carson or Cesar Castro or Clinton Mehta v. Nick Montalbano or Hiroshi Shimizu
Q2: Alvaro Beltran or Cesar Castillo or Travis Kern v. James Slamko or Polo Gutierrez
Q7: Alejandro Landa or Dan Case or Travis Woodbury v. Alex Ackermann or Jose Diaz
Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Charlie Pratt v. Q1
Andy Hawthorne v. Q4
Chris Crowther v. Q5
Ben Croft v. Q6
Jose Rojas v. Q3
Shane Vanderson v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball....
This is the season that Ruben Gonzalez, at 59, is trying to make the top 10 by year's end, when he is to retire at age 60. His quest begins with a match against 20th seed Sebastian Franco, who played seven events last season but never advanced past the round of 32 (i.e., never made the main round of 16).
If Gonzalez defeats Franco, he'll likely face Mexican veteran Javier Moreno in the final qualifying round. That will be for a chance to play Chris Crowther in the 16s.
The IRT Network is webcasting the Ghost of Georgetown beginning today at 10 PM CDT with the Round of 32, and carrying on with the main draw on Friday when the Round of 16 begins at 11:30 AM.
12th Ghost of Georgetown, Kansas City
Round 1 (128s)
Brad Shopieray v. Logan Reese
Francisco Gomez v. Armando Bermudez
Tyler Otto v. Bart Miller
Bradley Rogers v. Juan Carlos Torres
Peter Wrigley v. Brian Watson
Cesar Castro v. Clinton Mehta
Cesar Castillo v. Travis Kern
Dan Case v. Travis Woodbury
Round 2 (64s)
Felipe Camacho v. Juan Martinez
Arthur Schmeiser v. Teobaldo Fumero
Anthony Herrera v. BYE
Brad Shopieray or Logan Reese v. Francisco Gomez or Armando Bermudez
Juan Herrera v. Juan Rivas
Erik Leetch v. Tyler Otto or Bart Miller
Javier Moreno v. Bradley Rogers or Juan Carlos Torres
Sebastian Franco v. Ruben Gonzalez
Alejandro Herrera v. Peter Wrigley or Brian Watson
John Scott v. Jansen Allen
Tony Carson v. Cesar Castro or Clinton Mehta
Nick Montalbano v. Hiroshi Shimizu
Alvaro Beltran v. Cesar Castillo or Travis Kern
James Slamko v. Polo Gutierrez
Alejandro Landa v. Dan Case or Travis Woodbury
Alex Ackermann v. Jose Diaz
Round 3 (32s)
Q1: Felipe Camacho or Juan Martinez v. Arthur Schmeiser v. Teobaldo Fumero
Q8: Anthony Herrera v. Brad Shopieray or Logan Reese or Francisco Gomez or Armando Bermudez
Q4: Juan Herrera or Juan Rivas v. Erik Leetch or Tyler Otto or Bart Miller
Q5: Javier Moreno or Bradley Rogers or Juan Carlos Torres v. Sebastian Franco or Ruben Gonzalez
Q6: Alejandro Herrera or Peter Wrigley or Brian Watson v. John Scott or Jansen Allen
Q3: Tony Carson or Cesar Castro or Clinton Mehta v. Nick Montalbano or Hiroshi Shimizu
Q2: Alvaro Beltran or Cesar Castillo or Travis Kern v. James Slamko or Polo Gutierrez
Q7: Alejandro Landa or Dan Case or Travis Woodbury v. Alex Ackermann or Jose Diaz
Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Charlie Pratt v. Q1
Andy Hawthorne v. Q4
Chris Crowther v. Q5
Ben Croft v. Q6
Jose Rojas v. Q3
Shane Vanderson v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Respecting the facts
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) begins its Tier 1 season this week with the Ghost of Georgetown tournament in Kansas City. A big question is whether Kane Waselenchuk will extend his streak of 113 match wins. But has he really won that many in row?
No. He hasn't.
To be clear, the last time Waselenchuk lost a match on court was in January 2009, when Alvaro Beltran beat him at the California Open. But he hasn't won all his matches since then. If Waselenchuk had, then he'd have won all the tournaments he'd entered since then. And he didn't.
Waselenchuk lost to Jack Huczek in the semi-finals of the New York City Pro/Am tournament in January, as he forfeited the match due to illness. Since then Waselenchuk has won 33 consecutive matches, so those claiming he's won 113 in a row are not counting the loss to Huczek.
But a loss is a loss, and a winning streak stops with any loss.
In tennis, the men's US Open winner Novak Djokovic's win-loss record this year is 64 and 2. But one of those losses happened by default. Is anyone claiming Djokovic is really 64 and 1? No, of course not.
One of the principles we have here at The Racquetball Blog is to be as accurate as possible. Thus, we want to have the most accurate racquetball records possible. People have often been neglectful of racquetball records over the years, which is something we are trying to fight against. Stating that Waselenchuk has won 113 matches in a row implies that he won all the tournaments he entered last season, which is false. Waselenchuk entered the New York event and didn't win it.
We don't think being accurate in this matter detracts from Waselenchuk's excellence. He is clearly the best men's racquetball player right now, and we'd be more than willing to argue that he's the best men's racquetball player ever, with all due respect to Cliff Swain, Sudsy Monchik, and Marty Hogan.
Claiming Waselenchuk's the best player ever is an opinion, of course, not a fact. Wins and losses are facts, and we should respect them as such. If we're going to overlook some facts (some losses in the present case), then why not overlook others?
Not respecting the facts diminishes racquetball and everyone associated with it, including Waselenchuk.
Follow the bouncing ball....
No. He hasn't.
To be clear, the last time Waselenchuk lost a match on court was in January 2009, when Alvaro Beltran beat him at the California Open. But he hasn't won all his matches since then. If Waselenchuk had, then he'd have won all the tournaments he'd entered since then. And he didn't.
Waselenchuk lost to Jack Huczek in the semi-finals of the New York City Pro/Am tournament in January, as he forfeited the match due to illness. Since then Waselenchuk has won 33 consecutive matches, so those claiming he's won 113 in a row are not counting the loss to Huczek.
But a loss is a loss, and a winning streak stops with any loss.
In tennis, the men's US Open winner Novak Djokovic's win-loss record this year is 64 and 2. But one of those losses happened by default. Is anyone claiming Djokovic is really 64 and 1? No, of course not.
One of the principles we have here at The Racquetball Blog is to be as accurate as possible. Thus, we want to have the most accurate racquetball records possible. People have often been neglectful of racquetball records over the years, which is something we are trying to fight against. Stating that Waselenchuk has won 113 matches in a row implies that he won all the tournaments he entered last season, which is false. Waselenchuk entered the New York event and didn't win it.
We don't think being accurate in this matter detracts from Waselenchuk's excellence. He is clearly the best men's racquetball player right now, and we'd be more than willing to argue that he's the best men's racquetball player ever, with all due respect to Cliff Swain, Sudsy Monchik, and Marty Hogan.
Claiming Waselenchuk's the best player ever is an opinion, of course, not a fact. Wins and losses are facts, and we should respect them as such. If we're going to overlook some facts (some losses in the present case), then why not overlook others?
Not respecting the facts diminishes racquetball and everyone associated with it, including Waselenchuk.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, September 8, 2011
IRT Review & Preview
The Ghost of Georgetown racquetball tournament in Kansas City will kick off the 2011-12 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season next week. It'll be the 4th season The Racquetball Blog (TRB) has covered the IRT, and we're looking forward to it.
If your memory is like that of most of TRB's office staff, then you'll likely need a bit of a reminder about what happened during the IRT's 2010-2011 season, because it's been a few months. Thus, we've put this review together for you.
Performances During the 2010-2011 International Racquetball Tour Season
IRT Rank - Player - Wins - Seconds - Semis - Quarters
1) Kane Waselenchuk - 12 wins, 1 semi
2) Rocky Carson - 1 win, 11 seconds, 1 qtr
3) Ben Croft - 10 semis, 3 qtrs
4) Jack Huczek - 1 win, 9 semis, 2 qtrs
5) Chris Crowther - 1 second, 1 semi, 9 qtrs
6) Andy Hawthorne - 1 semi, 12 qtrs
7) Jose Rojas - 2 semis, 7 qrts
8) Shane Vanderson - 2 semis, 7 qtrs
9) Charlie Pratt - 5 qrts
10) Anthony Herrera - 1 qtr
11) Alvaro Beltran - 2 seconds, 1 qtr
12) Tony Carson - 3 qrt
13) Mitch Williams - 2 semi, 1 qtr
15) Javier Moreno - 1 qtr
23) Taylor Knoth - 1 qtr
24) Mike Green - 1 qtr
32) Vincent Gagnon - 1 qtr
Event - Final - Semi-Finalists
Kansas City Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Croft, Williams
Cali, Colombia Final: Waselenchuk d. Crowther - Croft, Williams
Racquetball House San Diego Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Huczek, Croft
Choice Hotels US Open Final: Waselenchuk d. Beltran - Semis: Huczek, Croft
Chihuahua Final: Carson d. Beltran - Semis: Huczek, Rojas
California Open Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Huczek, Croft
New York City Pro-Am Final: Huczek d. Carson - Semis: Waselenchuk, Vanderson
Lawler Sports Pro-Am Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Huczek, Croft
San Diego Open Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Huczek, Vanderson
Florida Spring Break Pro-Am Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Huczek, Croft
Salt Lake City Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Huczek, Croft
IRT Network Pro-Am Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Croft, Huczek
Mexico Open Final: Waselenchuk d Carson - Semis: Croft, Rojas
Fullerton Final: Waselenchuk d Carson - Semis: Crowther, Croft
The 2010-11 IRT Statistical Abstract
(Note: not all match points were recorded, so this abstract is based on incomplete data.)
Percentage of 3 game matches: 58.9 (291 of 494)
Percentage of 4 game matches: 26.1 (129)
Percentage of 5 game matches: 15.0 (74)
Most points for in a victory: 57 - Marco Mijares d. Jeremy McGlothin, 12-10, 11-5, 14-16, 9-11, 11-9 in the US Open
2nd most points for in a victory: 56 - Polo Gutierrez d. Jeff Bell, 15-17, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4, 11-2 in the US Open
Most points scored in a loss: 53 - Ben Croft in loss to Javier Moreno, 15-13, 11-9, 10-12, 3-11, 11-8, in the San Diego Open
2nd most points scored in a loss: 51 - Richard Berich in loss to Lee Connell, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11, in IRT Network Pro-Am, and Jeremy McGlothin in loss to Marco Mijares, 12-10, 11-5, 14-16, 9-11, 11-9, in the US Open
Most points in a 5 game match: 108 - Marco Mijares d. Jeremy McGlothin, 12-10, 11-5, 14-16, 9-11, 11-9 in the US Open
Most points in a 4 game match: 87 - Charles Pratt d. Richard Berich, 10-12, 12-10, 11-8, 13-11 in the Lawler Sports Pro-Am
Most points in a 3 game match: 74 - Daniel De La Rosa d. Jason Conway, 20-18, 11-7, 11-7, in the San Diego Open
Largest margin of victory 5 game match: 22 by Alvaro Beltran d. Roland Keller, 11-0, 9-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-1 at the US Open
Largest margin of victory 4 game match: 27 by Alvaro Beltran d. Erik Leetch, 7-11, 11-0, 11-4, 11-2 in the Ektelon National Singles Championships
Largest margin of victory 3 game match: 34 by Kane Waselenchuk d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-0, 11-0, 11-1 in Salt Lake City
Smallest margin of victory 5 game match: -6 by Juan Garson in win over Geoff Goldblatt, 1-11, 2-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 in the Lawler Sports Pro-Am
2nd smallest margin of victory 5 game match: -5 by Andy Hawthorne in win over Anthony Herrera, 11-9, 3-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-6, in the San Diego Racquet House Pro/Am
Smallest margin of victory 4 game match: -4 by Charlie Pratt d. Jose Rojas, 11-8, 0-11, 12-10, 13-11, in IRT Network Pro-Am
Smallest margin of victory 3 game match: 6 by Mattew Majxner d. Dave Rocchi, 14-12, 13-11, 13-11, in the Ektelon National Singles Championships
More Waselenchuk domination
Kane Waselenchuk continued to dominate men's pro racquetball last season, winning all but one of his matches. And that loss was due to illness rather than an opponent. Rocky Carson emerged as Waselenchuk's closest rival, as they met in 10 finals last year. But Waselenchuk won 30 of the 35 games in those matches giving up an average of 6.63 points per game.
In mid-season, it seemed that Carson was closing the gap, as they played two five game finals in late January and February. But then Waselenchuk seemed to step up his level of play and won each of their next five meetings in three straight games yielding only 4.33 points a game on average.
As we mentioned in last season's preview, Waselenchuk's only concern may be his health. He'll turn 30 in November, but still seems to have a lot of high quality racquetball in him.
Who are the challengers?
With Waselenchuk #1 and Carson a solid #2, the next question is who are the other challengers? We know it won't be Jack Huczek or Mitch Williams as both retired during last season, despite having success on tour. Ben Croft finished last year at #3, a career high. However, he has taken a job with Racquetball Warehouse, and it's uncertain how this development will effect his training and playing schedule.
Alvaro Beltran, who we here at The Racquetball Blog have long thought has the best game style to battle Waselenchuk, was injured again at the end of last season, but did play in the Racquetball Warehouse San Diego Pro/Am last month, losing a 5 game semi-final to Carson. If he's healthy, Beltran could be the most significant threat to Waselenchuk.
Looking past those players, and you'd have to have some very rose colored glasses to imagine someone else challenging for a tournament win. Veterans like Shane Vanderson, Chris Crowther, and Andy Hawthorne would need to have significant improvements from the high level that they have been playing at to win a Tier 1 or Grand Slam, as they have, collectively, been in only 3 finals (2 for Vanderson and 1 for Crowther).
Perhaps the next serious challenger will come from one of the younger players. Jose Rojas was everyone's darling a year ago, but we didn't see the progression that it seemed was coming. That may still happen, of course, but in looking more closely at his game style, we think there's much to change if he's going to achieve the consistency needed to win on tour.
There are other young players who could do well this season, such as Tony Carson, Charlie Pratt, Daniel De La Rosa, and perhaps former Junior World Champion Taylor Knoth. But any of them made an IRT semi-final, let alone winning an event, it would be a shock.
Other issues
Last season was Jason Mannino's first full season as the IRT Commissioner, and things seem to be running well. Mannino's put together a schedule of 22 Tier 1 or Grand Slam (T1/GS) level events for this season, which is a significant increase from the 14 held last season. However, there were 20 events listed on the IRT schedule at the start of last season and only 13 happened, so whether all 22 of the listed T1/GS events happens is questionable.
Nonetheless, the IRT seems to be doing well. They are keeping their website updated regularly and have more content on it now than in the past.
The biggest change last year was in changing back to having two serves rather than one serve. That seems to have gone over well enough with the fans and players alike, although it's not clear whether it changed any actual outcomes in general.
Time in
Those are our thoughts on what you can expect this season. We're sure there will be some surprises, and we hope that you'll follow along with The Racquetball Blog to see just what those are.
Serve it up, boys!
Follow the bouncing ball....
If your memory is like that of most of TRB's office staff, then you'll likely need a bit of a reminder about what happened during the IRT's 2010-2011 season, because it's been a few months. Thus, we've put this review together for you.
Performances During the 2010-2011 International Racquetball Tour Season
IRT Rank - Player - Wins - Seconds - Semis - Quarters
1) Kane Waselenchuk - 12 wins, 1 semi
2) Rocky Carson - 1 win, 11 seconds, 1 qtr
3) Ben Croft - 10 semis, 3 qtrs
4) Jack Huczek - 1 win, 9 semis, 2 qtrs
5) Chris Crowther - 1 second, 1 semi, 9 qtrs
6) Andy Hawthorne - 1 semi, 12 qtrs
7) Jose Rojas - 2 semis, 7 qrts
8) Shane Vanderson - 2 semis, 7 qtrs
9) Charlie Pratt - 5 qrts
10) Anthony Herrera - 1 qtr
11) Alvaro Beltran - 2 seconds, 1 qtr
12) Tony Carson - 3 qrt
13) Mitch Williams - 2 semi, 1 qtr
15) Javier Moreno - 1 qtr
23) Taylor Knoth - 1 qtr
24) Mike Green - 1 qtr
32) Vincent Gagnon - 1 qtr
Event - Final - Semi-Finalists
Kansas City Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Croft, Williams
Cali, Colombia Final: Waselenchuk d. Crowther - Croft, Williams
Racquetball House San Diego Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Huczek, Croft
Choice Hotels US Open Final: Waselenchuk d. Beltran - Semis: Huczek, Croft
Chihuahua Final: Carson d. Beltran - Semis: Huczek, Rojas
California Open Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Huczek, Croft
New York City Pro-Am Final: Huczek d. Carson - Semis: Waselenchuk, Vanderson
Lawler Sports Pro-Am Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Huczek, Croft
San Diego Open Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Huczek, Vanderson
Florida Spring Break Pro-Am Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Huczek, Croft
Salt Lake City Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Huczek, Croft
IRT Network Pro-Am Final: Waselenchuk d. Carson - Semis: Croft, Huczek
Mexico Open Final: Waselenchuk d Carson - Semis: Croft, Rojas
Fullerton Final: Waselenchuk d Carson - Semis: Crowther, Croft
The 2010-11 IRT Statistical Abstract
(Note: not all match points were recorded, so this abstract is based on incomplete data.)
Percentage of 3 game matches: 58.9 (291 of 494)
Percentage of 4 game matches: 26.1 (129)
Percentage of 5 game matches: 15.0 (74)
Most points for in a victory: 57 - Marco Mijares d. Jeremy McGlothin, 12-10, 11-5, 14-16, 9-11, 11-9 in the US Open
2nd most points for in a victory: 56 - Polo Gutierrez d. Jeff Bell, 15-17, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4, 11-2 in the US Open
Most points scored in a loss: 53 - Ben Croft in loss to Javier Moreno, 15-13, 11-9, 10-12, 3-11, 11-8, in the San Diego Open
2nd most points scored in a loss: 51 - Richard Berich in loss to Lee Connell, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11, in IRT Network Pro-Am, and Jeremy McGlothin in loss to Marco Mijares, 12-10, 11-5, 14-16, 9-11, 11-9, in the US Open
Most points in a 5 game match: 108 - Marco Mijares d. Jeremy McGlothin, 12-10, 11-5, 14-16, 9-11, 11-9 in the US Open
Most points in a 4 game match: 87 - Charles Pratt d. Richard Berich, 10-12, 12-10, 11-8, 13-11 in the Lawler Sports Pro-Am
Most points in a 3 game match: 74 - Daniel De La Rosa d. Jason Conway, 20-18, 11-7, 11-7, in the San Diego Open
Largest margin of victory 5 game match: 22 by Alvaro Beltran d. Roland Keller, 11-0, 9-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-1 at the US Open
Largest margin of victory 4 game match: 27 by Alvaro Beltran d. Erik Leetch, 7-11, 11-0, 11-4, 11-2 in the Ektelon National Singles Championships
Largest margin of victory 3 game match: 34 by Kane Waselenchuk d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-0, 11-0, 11-1 in Salt Lake City
Smallest margin of victory 5 game match: -6 by Juan Garson in win over Geoff Goldblatt, 1-11, 2-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 in the Lawler Sports Pro-Am
2nd smallest margin of victory 5 game match: -5 by Andy Hawthorne in win over Anthony Herrera, 11-9, 3-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-6, in the San Diego Racquet House Pro/Am
Smallest margin of victory 4 game match: -4 by Charlie Pratt d. Jose Rojas, 11-8, 0-11, 12-10, 13-11, in IRT Network Pro-Am
Smallest margin of victory 3 game match: 6 by Mattew Majxner d. Dave Rocchi, 14-12, 13-11, 13-11, in the Ektelon National Singles Championships
More Waselenchuk domination
Kane Waselenchuk continued to dominate men's pro racquetball last season, winning all but one of his matches. And that loss was due to illness rather than an opponent. Rocky Carson emerged as Waselenchuk's closest rival, as they met in 10 finals last year. But Waselenchuk won 30 of the 35 games in those matches giving up an average of 6.63 points per game.
In mid-season, it seemed that Carson was closing the gap, as they played two five game finals in late January and February. But then Waselenchuk seemed to step up his level of play and won each of their next five meetings in three straight games yielding only 4.33 points a game on average.
As we mentioned in last season's preview, Waselenchuk's only concern may be his health. He'll turn 30 in November, but still seems to have a lot of high quality racquetball in him.
Who are the challengers?
With Waselenchuk #1 and Carson a solid #2, the next question is who are the other challengers? We know it won't be Jack Huczek or Mitch Williams as both retired during last season, despite having success on tour. Ben Croft finished last year at #3, a career high. However, he has taken a job with Racquetball Warehouse, and it's uncertain how this development will effect his training and playing schedule.
Alvaro Beltran, who we here at The Racquetball Blog have long thought has the best game style to battle Waselenchuk, was injured again at the end of last season, but did play in the Racquetball Warehouse San Diego Pro/Am last month, losing a 5 game semi-final to Carson. If he's healthy, Beltran could be the most significant threat to Waselenchuk.
Looking past those players, and you'd have to have some very rose colored glasses to imagine someone else challenging for a tournament win. Veterans like Shane Vanderson, Chris Crowther, and Andy Hawthorne would need to have significant improvements from the high level that they have been playing at to win a Tier 1 or Grand Slam, as they have, collectively, been in only 3 finals (2 for Vanderson and 1 for Crowther).
Perhaps the next serious challenger will come from one of the younger players. Jose Rojas was everyone's darling a year ago, but we didn't see the progression that it seemed was coming. That may still happen, of course, but in looking more closely at his game style, we think there's much to change if he's going to achieve the consistency needed to win on tour.
There are other young players who could do well this season, such as Tony Carson, Charlie Pratt, Daniel De La Rosa, and perhaps former Junior World Champion Taylor Knoth. But any of them made an IRT semi-final, let alone winning an event, it would be a shock.
Other issues
Last season was Jason Mannino's first full season as the IRT Commissioner, and things seem to be running well. Mannino's put together a schedule of 22 Tier 1 or Grand Slam (T1/GS) level events for this season, which is a significant increase from the 14 held last season. However, there were 20 events listed on the IRT schedule at the start of last season and only 13 happened, so whether all 22 of the listed T1/GS events happens is questionable.
Nonetheless, the IRT seems to be doing well. They are keeping their website updated regularly and have more content on it now than in the past.
The biggest change last year was in changing back to having two serves rather than one serve. That seems to have gone over well enough with the fans and players alike, although it's not clear whether it changed any actual outcomes in general.
Time in
Those are our thoughts on what you can expect this season. We're sure there will be some surprises, and we hope that you'll follow along with The Racquetball Blog to see just what those are.
Serve it up, boys!
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
WPRO Rankings - August 29, 2011
The first Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) rankings have been released following the Texas Open, and there were few changes. Rhonda Rajsich remains #1 with Paola Longoria #2, Samantha Salas #3, Kerri Wachtel #4 and Cheryl Gudinas #5.
Adrienne Fisher and Susy Acosta-Mendoza switched places with Fisher now in 6th and Acosta-Mendoza in 8th. Jennifer Saunders is 7th.
Rounding out the top 10 are Cristina Amaya, who remains 9th, and Angela Grisar, who makes a return to the top 10 for the first time since April 2010.
Grisar's rise pushed Krystal Csuk down to 11th. Claudine Garcia also fell one spot to 17 from 16. Maiko Sato re-entered the top 20 at #20.
The next WPRO event is the US Open in Minneapolis, October 5-9.
WPRO Rankings (August 29, 2011)
Rank Name Nationality Points
1 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1740.80
2 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1441.78
3 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 878.70
4 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 578.55
5 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 519.20
6 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 383.30
7 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 377.10
8 Susy Acosta-Mendoza (Mexico) 369.30
9 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 365.33
10 Angela Grisar (Chile) 357.00
11 Krystal Csuk (USA) 344.70
12 Christie Huczek (Canada) 240.25
13 Nancy Enriquez (Mexico) 221.48
14 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 206.50
15 Da'monique Davis (USA) 177.75
16 Aimee Ruiz (USA) 119.80
17 Laura Brandt (USA) 103.50
18 Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic) 99.60
19 Jo Shattuck (USA) 99.30
20 Maiko Sato (Japan) 97.75
Follow the bouncing ball....
Adrienne Fisher and Susy Acosta-Mendoza switched places with Fisher now in 6th and Acosta-Mendoza in 8th. Jennifer Saunders is 7th.
Rounding out the top 10 are Cristina Amaya, who remains 9th, and Angela Grisar, who makes a return to the top 10 for the first time since April 2010.
Grisar's rise pushed Krystal Csuk down to 11th. Claudine Garcia also fell one spot to 17 from 16. Maiko Sato re-entered the top 20 at #20.
The next WPRO event is the US Open in Minneapolis, October 5-9.
WPRO Rankings (August 29, 2011)
Rank Name Nationality Points
1 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1740.80
2 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1441.78
3 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 878.70
4 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 578.55
5 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 519.20
6 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 383.30
7 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 377.10
8 Susy Acosta-Mendoza (Mexico) 369.30
9 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 365.33
10 Angela Grisar (Chile) 357.00
11 Krystal Csuk (USA) 344.70
12 Christie Huczek (Canada) 240.25
13 Nancy Enriquez (Mexico) 221.48
14 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 206.50
15 Da'monique Davis (USA) 177.75
16 Aimee Ruiz (USA) 119.80
17 Laura Brandt (USA) 103.50
18 Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic) 99.60
19 Jo Shattuck (USA) 99.30
20 Maiko Sato (Japan) 97.75
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, September 1, 2011
WPRO Season Review & Preview
The 2011-12 Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) season has begun, so we're a bit late looking back at last season. But in the better late than never category, here's a run down of what happened last season, first by player and then by event.
WPRO Rank - Player - Wins - 2nds - Semi-finals - Quarter-finals
1) Rhonda Rajsich, 4 wins, 4 seconds, 1 semi final
2) Paola Longoria, 5 wins, 4 seconds
3) Samantha Salas, 1 win, 1 second, 7 semis
4) Kerri Wachtel, 1 second, 1 semi, 5 quarters
5) Cheryl Gudinas, 5 semis, 1 quarter
6) Susana Acosta, 6 quarters
7) Jennifer Saunders, 1 semi, 5 quarters
8) Adrienne Fisher, 1 semi, 4 quarters
9) Cristina Amaya, 3 quarters
10) Krystal Csuk, 4 quarters
11) Angela Grisar, 4 quarters
12) Christie Huczek, 3 semis, 1 quarter
13) Nancy Enriquez, 1 semi
14) T.J. Baumbaugh, 1 quarter
16) Claudine Garcia, 2 quarters
17) Aimee Ruiz, 2 quarters
22) Jessica Parilla, 1 quarter
2010-2011 (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)
Event - Final - Semi Finalists
Texas Open Final - Longoria d. Salas, Semis: Huczek, Saunders
Cali, Colombia Final - Rajsich d. Longoria, Semis: Gudinas, Salas
US Open Final - Rajsich d. Longoria, Semis: Huczek, Salas
Puget Sound Final - Salas d. Wachtel, Semis: Gudinas, Rajsich
Christmas Classic Final - Rajsich d. Longoria, Semis: Gudinas, Salas
California Open Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Gudinas
Great Balls of Fire Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Enriquez, Gudinas
SCS Title & Escrow Pro-Am Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Huczek
In-Shape WPRO Championships Final - Rajsich d. Longoria, Semis: Salas, Fisher
WPRO Ektelon World Championships - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Wachtel
Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO)
2010-11 Statistical Abstract
Matches going 3 games: 120 (53.3%)
Matches going 4 games: 66 (29.3%)
Matches going 5 games: 33 (14.7%)
Total matches: 225 (6 results unknown)
Most Points in a match: 105 by Adrienne Fisher and Da'monique Davis at In-Shape WPRO Championships, where Fisher won 10-12, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 13-11
2nd Most Points in a match: 101 by T.J. Baumbaugh and Keely Franks at Puget Sound Challenge, as Baumbaugh won 10-12, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7
Fewest points in a match: 36 on four occasions. (i) Paola Longoria and Claudia Andrade at Cali Grand Slam, as Longoria won 11-0, 11-0, 11-3, (ii) Cheryl Gudinas and Beth Neff at Puget Sound Challenge as Gudinas won 11-0, 11-1, 11-2, (iii) T.J. Baumbaugh and Beth Sacco at WPRO World Championships, with Baumbaugh winning 11-0, 11-2, 11-1, and (iv) Rhonda Rajsich and Krystal Csuk at WPRO World Championships, with Rajsich winning 11-2, 11-1, 11-0.
Most Points in a win: 55 by Susana Acosta v. Anita Maldonado at US Open, and by Angela Grisar v. Krystal Csuk
3rd Most Points in a win: 54 by Susana Acosta v. Krystal Csuk at Great Balls of Fire
Most Points in a loss: 53 by Da'monique Davis v. Adrienne Fisher at In-Shape WPRO Championships
2nd Most Points in a loss: 51 by Keely Franks v. Maiko Sato at WPRO World Championships
3rd Most Points in a loss: 49 by Keely Franks v. T.J. Baumbaugh at Puget Sound Challenge
Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -15 by Maiko Sato in defeat of Keely Franks, 11-9, 12-10, 0-11, 1-11, 12-10
2nd Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -4 by Jessica Parrilla in defeat of Jennifer Saunders, 3-11, 11-6, 1-11, 11-6, 11-7
3rd Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -3 by Nancy Enriquez in defeat of Samantha Salas, 4-11, 4-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-7
(note: we have incomplete data for 6 WPRO matches, which are not included in the above abstract)
PREVIEWING 2011-12
The Rajsich-Longoria Rivalry
Rhonda Rajsich and Paola Longoria are clearly the class of the WPRO, having won 88.9% of the tournaments over the last three seasons (24 of 27). Their rivalry is on the level of the one between Lynn Adams and Heather McKay in the early 1980s, when they were the big draw during the formation of the first women's pro racquetball organization.
New WPRO Commissioner Gigi Rock is looking to grow the tour, and she could do worse than market the WPRO around the rivalry between Rajsich and Longoria, especially as they can easily be contrasted: one's older and one's younger; one's American and one's Mexican; one's an incredible 'getter', keeping the ball in play, and one's an incredible shooter. The marketing's almost a no-brainer.
But what about everyone else?
Will anyone else step up and upset the Rajsich-Longoria apple cart? Samantha Salas has emerged as the best of the rest of the field, having won her first WPRO event last season and reached the finals in the first event of this season (in the absence of Longoria). She's 24 - 25 in December - so still in the early part of her career.
That's in contrast to the other top 5 players, Kerri Wachtel and Cheryl Gudinas, who are 36 and 44, respectively. They are still potent players but whether they can defeat the other three to win an event is questionable. But one would have to put them ahead of those outside the top 5.
But what of the others? For example, where's a good young American woman that looks like she could take the torch from the likes of Rajsich, Gudinas, Wachtel, Aimee Ruiz and Jackie Paraiso? Adrienne Fisher's in the top 10, but she's only made five semi-finals in her career and never a final. Da'monique Davis made her first career quarter final in last week's Texas Open, so perhaps she has some potential to be the next elite American WPRO player.
Follow the bouncing ball....
WPRO Rank - Player - Wins - 2nds - Semi-finals - Quarter-finals
1) Rhonda Rajsich, 4 wins, 4 seconds, 1 semi final
2) Paola Longoria, 5 wins, 4 seconds
3) Samantha Salas, 1 win, 1 second, 7 semis
4) Kerri Wachtel, 1 second, 1 semi, 5 quarters
5) Cheryl Gudinas, 5 semis, 1 quarter
6) Susana Acosta, 6 quarters
7) Jennifer Saunders, 1 semi, 5 quarters
8) Adrienne Fisher, 1 semi, 4 quarters
9) Cristina Amaya, 3 quarters
10) Krystal Csuk, 4 quarters
11) Angela Grisar, 4 quarters
12) Christie Huczek, 3 semis, 1 quarter
13) Nancy Enriquez, 1 semi
14) T.J. Baumbaugh, 1 quarter
16) Claudine Garcia, 2 quarters
17) Aimee Ruiz, 2 quarters
22) Jessica Parilla, 1 quarter
2010-2011 (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)
Event - Final - Semi Finalists
Texas Open Final - Longoria d. Salas, Semis: Huczek, Saunders
Cali, Colombia Final - Rajsich d. Longoria, Semis: Gudinas, Salas
US Open Final - Rajsich d. Longoria, Semis: Huczek, Salas
Puget Sound Final - Salas d. Wachtel, Semis: Gudinas, Rajsich
Christmas Classic Final - Rajsich d. Longoria, Semis: Gudinas, Salas
California Open Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Gudinas
Great Balls of Fire Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Enriquez, Gudinas
SCS Title & Escrow Pro-Am Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Huczek
In-Shape WPRO Championships Final - Rajsich d. Longoria, Semis: Salas, Fisher
WPRO Ektelon World Championships - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Wachtel
Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO)
2010-11 Statistical Abstract
Matches going 3 games: 120 (53.3%)
Matches going 4 games: 66 (29.3%)
Matches going 5 games: 33 (14.7%)
Total matches: 225 (6 results unknown)
Most Points in a match: 105 by Adrienne Fisher and Da'monique Davis at In-Shape WPRO Championships, where Fisher won 10-12, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 13-11
2nd Most Points in a match: 101 by T.J. Baumbaugh and Keely Franks at Puget Sound Challenge, as Baumbaugh won 10-12, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7
Fewest points in a match: 36 on four occasions. (i) Paola Longoria and Claudia Andrade at Cali Grand Slam, as Longoria won 11-0, 11-0, 11-3, (ii) Cheryl Gudinas and Beth Neff at Puget Sound Challenge as Gudinas won 11-0, 11-1, 11-2, (iii) T.J. Baumbaugh and Beth Sacco at WPRO World Championships, with Baumbaugh winning 11-0, 11-2, 11-1, and (iv) Rhonda Rajsich and Krystal Csuk at WPRO World Championships, with Rajsich winning 11-2, 11-1, 11-0.
Most Points in a win: 55 by Susana Acosta v. Anita Maldonado at US Open, and by Angela Grisar v. Krystal Csuk
3rd Most Points in a win: 54 by Susana Acosta v. Krystal Csuk at Great Balls of Fire
Most Points in a loss: 53 by Da'monique Davis v. Adrienne Fisher at In-Shape WPRO Championships
2nd Most Points in a loss: 51 by Keely Franks v. Maiko Sato at WPRO World Championships
3rd Most Points in a loss: 49 by Keely Franks v. T.J. Baumbaugh at Puget Sound Challenge
Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -15 by Maiko Sato in defeat of Keely Franks, 11-9, 12-10, 0-11, 1-11, 12-10
2nd Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -4 by Jessica Parrilla in defeat of Jennifer Saunders, 3-11, 11-6, 1-11, 11-6, 11-7
3rd Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -3 by Nancy Enriquez in defeat of Samantha Salas, 4-11, 4-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-7
(note: we have incomplete data for 6 WPRO matches, which are not included in the above abstract)
PREVIEWING 2011-12
The Rajsich-Longoria Rivalry
Rhonda Rajsich and Paola Longoria are clearly the class of the WPRO, having won 88.9% of the tournaments over the last three seasons (24 of 27). Their rivalry is on the level of the one between Lynn Adams and Heather McKay in the early 1980s, when they were the big draw during the formation of the first women's pro racquetball organization.
New WPRO Commissioner Gigi Rock is looking to grow the tour, and she could do worse than market the WPRO around the rivalry between Rajsich and Longoria, especially as they can easily be contrasted: one's older and one's younger; one's American and one's Mexican; one's an incredible 'getter', keeping the ball in play, and one's an incredible shooter. The marketing's almost a no-brainer.
But what about everyone else?
Will anyone else step up and upset the Rajsich-Longoria apple cart? Samantha Salas has emerged as the best of the rest of the field, having won her first WPRO event last season and reached the finals in the first event of this season (in the absence of Longoria). She's 24 - 25 in December - so still in the early part of her career.
That's in contrast to the other top 5 players, Kerri Wachtel and Cheryl Gudinas, who are 36 and 44, respectively. They are still potent players but whether they can defeat the other three to win an event is questionable. But one would have to put them ahead of those outside the top 5.
But what of the others? For example, where's a good young American woman that looks like she could take the torch from the likes of Rajsich, Gudinas, Wachtel, Aimee Ruiz and Jackie Paraiso? Adrienne Fisher's in the top 10, but she's only made five semi-finals in her career and never a final. Da'monique Davis made her first career quarter final in last week's Texas Open, so perhaps she has some potential to be the next elite American WPRO player.
Follow the bouncing ball....
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