PARC - No surprises on Day 1 of 2012 Pan American Championships

The XXV Pan American Championships began Saturday in Temuco, Chile with round robin pool play that will set the seedings for the elimination round that will start on Wednesday. Thus, no one is facing elimination until Wednesday.

There have been no surprises so far, as most of the higher seeded players won in two straight games by comfortable margins. That includes defending champion American Rhonda Rajsich, who beat Argentinian Natalia Corti, 15-2, 15-2, and Mexican Paola Longoria, a 15-5, 15-8 winner over Véronique Guillemette of Argentina.

The other women's higher seeds - Susana Acosta (Mexico), Jennifer Saunders (Canada), Frédérique Lambert (Canada) and Carol Loma (Bolivia) - also all won in two games and none of them gave up more than 10 points total.

Men's singles went similarly, although last year's champion Daniel De La Rosa of Mexico didn't play. Also, his team-mate Misael Leija had the toughest test on Saturday as he needed a tie-breaker to beat Chilean Francisco Troncoso, 12-15, 15-8, 11-5.

Canadian Mike Green, Bolivians Kadim Carrasco and Carlos Keller, who's the current World Junior U18 Champion, all won in two games.

One other men's singles game went tie-breaker, as Luis Perez of the Dominican Republic defeated Teobaldo Fumero Adams, 15-7, 10-15, 11-8.

In women's doubles, two matches went tie-breaker. Colombians Cristina Amaya and Carolina Gomez squeaked out a win against Guatemalans Marie Gomar and Maria Rene Rodriguez, 15-8, 12-15, 11-10, and Ecuadorans Maria Paz Muñoz and Cristina Ana Velez needed a third game to defeat Mariana Paredes and Mariana Tobon of Venezuela, 15-13, 13-15, 11-3.

Men's doubles action also saw two tie-breakers. The Argentine team of Daniel Maggi and Fernando Kurzbard beat Pedro Manolo Sandoval and Edwin Galicia of Guatemala, 15-7, 12-15, 11-0, and Ecuadorans Imael Zhindon and Jose Daniel Ugalde defeated Sergio Baires and Servin Cruz, 15-6, 12-15, 11-1.

Pool play action continues in Temuco Sunday and Monday, and PARC is streaming some of it live via the internet through their website.

Follow the bouncing ball....

Allen & Jackson win singles & doubles Intercollegiate titles

Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo) and Sharon Jackson (Alabama) are the new USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champions in men's and women's singles as last year's champions - Taylor Knoth (Oregon State) and Danielle Key (Arizona State) - both lost in the finals of the 2012 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Moreover, Allen and Jackson both won their respective doubles titles too.

Allen, the 2nd seed, needed a tie-breaker to deny top seed Knoth's title defense, winning 15-11, 13-15, 11-0. Allen's the first Colorado State, Pueblo player to win the men's title since Ben Croft did it in 2007.

Allen then beat Knoth a second time, as he and Nick Montalbano beat Knoth and Grant Stalley, 15-6, 15-7. The win was Allen's second consecutive and third in four years, as he won last year with Felipe Camacho and with Tony Carson in 2009. Allen was also in the 2010 doubles final, but he and Tyler Otto lost to David Horn and Jose Rojas of Delta College.

On the women's side, Jackson won her second Intercollegiate title by stopping Key from a successful title defense on Key's home court. Jackson won in two close games, 15-12, 15-13.

In doubles, Jackson's gone one better than Allen, as she won her 4th consecutive Intercollegiate doubles title, and Sheryl Lotts of Baldwin Wallace was again on the losing side, as she had been the last three years. Saturday, Jackson and Madeleine Angles defeated Lotts and Molly Haragan by the closest of margins: one point in the tie-breaker, winning 15-7, 3-15, 11-10.

Jackson's previous doubles titles came with Brittany Travers last year and Kara Mazur in 2010 and 2009.

With four years of Intercollegiate competition, Allen and Jackson will not be able to defend their titles next year, ensuring there will be different champions in 2013.

2012 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

Men's Singles

Final: Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo) d. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State), 15-11, 13-15, 11-0

3rd Place: John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.) d. Jose Diaz (Delta College), forfeit

Men's Doubles

Final: Jansen Allen & Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo) d. Grant Stalley & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State), 15-6, 15-7

3rd place: Brad Falvey & Danny Lavely (Alabama) d. Cole Burr & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young), 15-5, 15-11

Women's Singles

Final: Sharon Jackson (Alabama) d. Danielle Key (Arizona State), 15-12, 15-13

3rd place: Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace) d. Hailey Miller (Oregon), 15-13, 15-8

Women's Doubles

Final: Madeleine Angles & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama) d.
Molly Haragan & Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace), 15-7, 3-15, 11-10

3rd place: Danielle Key & Izayadeth Aguayo (Arizona State) d. Leah Redwine & Hailey Miller (University Of Oregon), 14-15, 15-7, 11-9

Follow the bouncing ball....

Key & Knoth have the chance to repeat as Intercollegiate Champions

They're down to the finals at the 2012 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, and last year's winners Taylor Knoth (Oregon State) and Danielle Key (Arizona State) both have a chance to defend their singles titles.

Knoth defeated John Craig Chisholm of Boston University, 15-4, 15-5, in the semi-finals, and that's the most points he's given up in five matches. Knoth'll face Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo) in the final, as Allen defeated Jose Diaz (Delta College) in a tie-breaker, 12-15, 15-11, 11-4.

Both Knoth and Allen will have a chance to be double champions Saturday, as they are both in the doubles final also. Allen and Nick Montalbano defeated Cole Burr and Joseph Blank of Brigham Young, 15-11, 15-11, in one semi-final, while Knoth and Grant Stalley beat Brad Falvey & Danny Lavely (Alabama), 15-8, 15-10, in the other.

Key advanced to the women's singles final by winning two close games against Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace), 15-14, 15-11. Sharon Jackson will be Key's opponent in the final, as Jackson defeated Hailey Miller (University of Oregon), 15-14, 15-4.

Jackson defeated Key in doubles on Friday, as she and Madeleine Angles beat Key and Izayadeth Aguayo, 15-9, 5-15, 11-9, in the semi-finals of women's doubles, which sets up a title defense for Jackson on Saturday as she won women's doubles last year with Brittany Travers.

To do that she and Angles will need to beat Baldwin Wallace players Lotts and Molly Haragan, who were winners over Miller and Leah Redwine (Oregon), 4-15, 15-13, 11-3.

2012 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships

Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

Men's Singles

Semi-finals

Taylor Knoth (Oregon State) d. John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.), 15-4, 15-5

Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo) d. Jose Diaz (Delta College), 12-15, 15-11, 11-4

Men's Doubles

Semi finals

Jansen Allen & Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo) d. Cole Burr & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young), 15-11, 15-11

Grant Stalley & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State) d. Brad Falvey & Danny Lavely (Alabama), 15-8, 15-10

Women's Singles

Semi-finals

Danielle Key (Arizona State) d. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace), 15-14, 15-11

Sharon Jackson (Alabama) d. Hailey Miller (Oregon), 15-14, 15-4

Women's Doubles

Semi Finals

Madeleine Angles & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama) d. Danielle Key & Izayadeth Aguayo (Arizona State), 15-9, 5-15, 11-9

Molly Haragan & Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace) d. Leah Redwine & Hailey Miller, (University Of Oregon), 4-15, 15-13, 11-3

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Preview

The XXV Pan American Championships will begin Saturday in Temuco, Chile. It's the first time this Pan American Racquetball Confederation event has been in Temuco, and the first time in Chile since 2007, when Santiago was the host city.

American Rhonda Rajsich is there to defend the title she was last year in Managua, Nicaragua, but she is lone American player in the field.

Another surprise is that Mexican Samantha Salas is competing for the first time since October's Pan American Games. She's been sidelined with a shoulder injury, but will play doubles in Chile with Paola Longoria, who'll also play singles. Susana Acosta is Mexico's other women's singles player.

Leading Mexico's men's team is Daniel De La Rosa, who is defending Pan American Champion. He'll be joined in men's singles by Misael Leija. The Mexican men's doubles team will be Alejandro Cardona and Edson Martinez.

The Canadian team has two first timers on it, as Christine Richardson and Nathaniel Husulak are making their premier appearances in Chile. Richardson is going to play women's doubles with Jennifer Saunders, and Husulak will be in men's doubles with Tim Landeryou.

Canada's men's singles players are Canadian Champion Mike Green and Vincent Gagnon, who both bronze medalists last year in this event though Green's came in doubles with Kris Odegard. Saunders and Frédérique Lambert are Canada's women's singles players.

Curiously, the men's singles champion from 2010, Bolivian Ricardo Monroy, isn't playing singles. He's in doubles with Roland Keller. Carlos Keller and Kadim Carrasco are Bolivia's men's singles players.

Bolivians Carola Loma and Maria Jose Vargas are in women's singles with Loma also playing doubles with Jenny Daza.

Also curious, the home side is without Angela Grisar, who is the most accomplished South American women's player and did play in last October's Pan American Games. Carla Muñoz and Maria Paz Riquelme are doing double duty for Chile, playing both singles and doubles.

The Chilean men's team is Sebastian Roessler and Francisco Troncoso in singles, and Santiago Canedo and Roessler in men's doubles.

Here's the final results from last year's Pan American Championships.

XXIV Pan American Championships

Managua, Nicaragua

Men's Singles

GOLD: Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico)

SILVER: Chris Crowther (USA)

BRONZE: Vincent Gagnon (Canada) and Alejandro Herrera (Colombia)

Women's Singles

GOLD: Rhonda Rajsich (USA)

SILVER: Samantha Salas (Mexico)

BRONZE: Paola Longoria (Mexico) and Angela Grisar (Chile)

Women's Doubles

GOLD: Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico)

SILVER: Krystal Csuk & Rhonda Rajsich (USA)

BRONZE: Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) and Josée Grand'Maître & Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Canada)

Men's Doubles

GOLD: Javiar Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)

SILVER: Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA)

BRONZE: Mike Green & Kris Odegard (Canada) and Daniel Maggi & Shai Manzuri (ARG)

Follow the bouncing ball....

2012 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Preview

The 2012 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate are in full swing at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. There have been no big upsets in the top divisions so far.

Here's a list of the top finishers in men's and women's singles and double that last few years.

USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champions

Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

Women's Singles

2011

1. Michelle Key (Arizona State)

2. Sharon Jackson (Univ. of Alabama)

3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)

4. Kelly Gremley (Purdue)

2010

1. Sharon Jackson (Univ. of Alabama)

2. Michelle Key (Univ. of Arizona)

3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)

4. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)

2009

1. Sheryl Lotts, Baldwin Wallace

2. Kara Mazer, University of Alabama

3. Ashley Willhite, Oregon State

4. Teresa Diaz, Delta College

2008

1. Kara Mazer, University of Alabama

2. Sarah Hettesheimer, Baldwin Wallace

3. Ashley Willhite, Oregon State

4. Sue Sublaban, Delta College

2007

1. Kimberly Irons, Ohio University

2. Jesi Fuller, University of New Mexico

3. Da'monique Davis, University of Alabama

4. Sarah Herresheimer, Baldwin Wallace

Women's Doubles

2011

1. Brittany Travers & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)

2. Sheryl Lotts & Tracy Hawthorne (Baldwin Wallace)

3. Hailey Miller & Leah Redwine (University of Oregon)

4. Izayadeth Aguayo & Michelle Key (Arizona State)

2010

1. Kara Mazur & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)

2. Sheryl Lotts & Tracy Hawthorne (Baldwin Wallace)

3. Haley Strom & Holly Hettesheimer (University Of Cincinnati)

4. Izayadeth Aguayo & Michelle Key (Arizona State)

2009

1. Sharon Jackson & Kara Mazer, University of Alabama

2. Sarah Hettesheimer & Sheryl Lotts, Baldwin Wallace

3. Alyssa Asay & Ashley Willhite, Oregon State

4. Eliza Culverwell & Charlotte Macfarlane, Brigham Young University

Men's Singles

2011

1. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)

2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)

3. Danny Lavely (Univ. of Alabama)

4. John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.)

2010

1. Jose Rojas (Delta College)

2. Taylor Knoth (Univ. of Oregon)

3. Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)

4. Allan Crockett (Univ. of Alabama)

2009

1. Jose Rojas, Delta College

2. Allan Crockett, University of Alabama

3. Anthony Carson, Colorado State

4. Anthony Herrera, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

2008

1. Tony Carson, Colorado State

2. Anthony Herrera, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

3. Bradly Rogers, Wichita

4. Allan Crockett, University of Alabama

2007

1. Ben Croft, Colorado State, Pueblo

2. Agustin Tristan, University of Alabama

3. Evan Ussery, University of New Mexico

4. Phil Matthews, University of Illinois

Men's Doubles

2011

1. Felipe Camacho & Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo)

2. Allan Crockett & Danny Lavely (University of Alabama)

3. Joey Pryor & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)

4. Jeff Skanchy & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young)

2010

1. David Horn & Jose Rojas (Delta College)

2. Jansen Allen & Tyler Otto (Colorado State)

3. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)

4. David Laforest & Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)

2009

1. Tony Carson & Jansen Allen, Colorado State

2. Jose Rojas & Ismael Aldana Jr. (Delta College)

3. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)

4. Harry Matt Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)

Follow the bouncing ball....

Weekend Round Up - Herrera & Otto win Men's Open titles

Juan Herrera won the Shamrock Shootout in Lombard, Illinois Sunday, as he defeated Juan Martinez III in the final of the Tier 5 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7. If you're thinking "hey, didn't Herrera play in the Party with the Pros in St Louis?", you're correct. Herrera lost in the Round of 16 in St Louis and then made haste to get up to Lombard for the Shamrock Shootout.

In the semi-finals, Herrera beat Geoff Goldblatt, 11-3, 11-0, 11-8, while Martinez had a battle with Indiana veteran Brian Simpson that went five games before Martinez prevailed, 11-0, 4-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-4.

Herrera and Martinez teamed up in doubles and finished second in a five team round robin, losing to Clint Hickman and Eric Mathews, 15-9, 4-15, 11-6.

Meanwhile in St Louis, Tyler Otto won the Men's Open title at the Party with the Pros defeating Brad Schopieray in the final (score unavailable). Otto - the 4th seed - got to the final with a win over 1st seed Lee Connell in the semi-finals, 15-3, 15-8, and 3rd seeded Schopieray beat 2nd seed Arthur Schmeiser, 15-5, 11-15, 11-6, in the other semi.

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Waselenchuk wins the Party with the Pros

Kane Waselenchuk won his second straight International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event in consecutive weekends, as he defeated Rocky Carson in the final of the Party With the Pros Tournament in St Louis, Missouri, 11-1, 11-8, 11-5. It was their 6th meeting in the finals this season, and Waselenchuk's won five of them, with his only loss due to injury in January at the New York City Pro-Am.

Earlier on Saturday in the semi-finals, Waselenchuk defeated Jose Rojas, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3, and Carson beat Ben Croft, 11-6, 11-4, 11-1.

The next IRT event will be the Stockton Pro/Am presented by Ektelon in Stockton, California April 19-22.

2012 Party With The Pros Tournament - St Louis, Missouri

Final

Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson, 11-1, 11-8, 11-5

Semi-finals

Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Rojas, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3

Rocky Carson d. Ben Croft, 11-6, 11-4, 11-1

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Party with the Pros in St Louis - QFs

Unlike a certain other March sporting event, everything has gone exactly according to the seedings at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Party With the Pros Tournament in St Louis, Missouri. Thus, it'll be #1 Kane Waselenchuk versus #4 Jose Rojas in one semi-final on Saturday with #2 Rocky Carson against #3 Ben Croft in the other.

Waselenchuk and Carson got to the semis with straight game wins in the quarter-finals. Waselenchuk beat Shane Vanderson, 11-4, 11-7, 11-0, and Carson defeated Andy Hawthorne, 11-0, 11-4, 11-7.

Croft needed four games to see off Chris Crowther, winning 9-1, 12-10, 11-7, 11-1, and Rojas had the most difficulty, as he needed five games to defeat Alvaro Beltran, who won the first two games only to lose in five, 4-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8.

The IRT Network will web-cast the semi-finals beginning at 10:30 AM CDT Saturday. Note that the final will be Saturday night at 6:30 CDT rather than Sunday.

2012 Party With The Pros Tournament - St Louis, Missouri

Quarter finals

Kane Waselenchuk d. Shane Vanderson, 11-4, 11-7, 11-0

Jose Rojas d. Alvaro Beltran, 4-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8

Ben Croft d. Chris Crowther, 9-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-1

Rocky Carson d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-0, 11-4, 11-7

Semi-finals

Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Rojas - 11:30 AM CDT

Rocky Carson v. Ben Croft - 10:30 AM CDT

Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk d. Lee Connell, 11-3, 11-1, 11-3

Shane Vanderson d. Tony Carson, 14-12, 8-11, 11-1, 6-11, 11-9

Alvaro Beltran d. Juan Herrera, 11-1, 11-4, WBF

Jose Rojas d. Brad Schopieray, 8-11, 11-, 11-4, 11-6

Ben Croft d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-3, 11-4, 10-12, 11-1

Chris Crowther d. Javier Moreno, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8

Andy Hawthorne d. Charlie Pratt, 11-3, 11-4, 5-11, 6-11, 11-4

Rocky Carson d. Ruben Gonzalez, 11-3, 11-1, 11-2

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Party with the Pros in St Louis - Preliminary Results

There were no major upsets in qualifying at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Party With the Pros Tournament in St Louis, Missouri. This sets up a few interesting matches in the Round of 16 for Friday.

As anticipated, Chris Crowther will face Mexican veteran left-hander Javier Moreno, who beat Crowther when they met in the Round of 16 in San Diego last month. Also, Shane Vanderson will face Tony Carson, and though Vanderson won both of their meetings this season, the last one went five games after Carson took the first two.

Also, Andy Hawthorne is up against Charlie Pratt, in what will be their first meeting this season. Hawthorne's 3-0 versus Pratt, who was in the top 8 until this past week, when he was bumped out by Alvaro Beltran.

The IRT Network will be web-casting the Round of 16 Friday beginning at 11 AM CDT. Note that the final will be Saturday night at 6:30 CDT rather than Sunday.

2012 Party With The Pros Tournament - St Louis, Missouri

Round 1

Drew Finke d. Hal Rutherford, fft

Ryan Maher d. Jerry Turley, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5

Travis Woodbury d. Geoff Goldblatt, 11-9, 11-5, 11-1

Rich Berich d. Brad Brumbaugh, 13-11, 12-10, 11-5

Round 2

Q8: Lee Connell d. Alex Ackermann, fft

Q1: Tony Carson d. Drew Finke, 11-6, 11-8, 11-2

Q4: Juan Herrera d. Ryan Maher, 11-6, 11-7, 11-0

Q5: Brad Schopieray d. Tyler Otto, 11-1, 8-11, 11-9, 11-1

Q6: Arthur Schmeiser d. John Scott, 5-11, 11-3, 11-1, 11-7

Q3: Javier Moreno d. Travis Woodbury, 11-1, 11-6, 11-8

Q2: Charlie Pratt d. Rich Berich, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8

Q7: Ruben Gonzalez d. Juan Martinez, 11-3, 11-6, 11-7

Main Draw - Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk v. Lee Connell

Shane Vanderson v. Tony Carson

Alvaro Beltran v. Juan Herrera

Jose Rojas v. Brad Schopieray

Ben Croft v. Arthur Schmeiser

Chris Crowther v. Javier Moreno

Andy Hawthorne v. Charlie Pratt

Rocky Carson v. Ruben Gonzalez

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Party with the Pros in St Louis - Preliminary Rounds

The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Party With the Pros Tournament begins Thursday in St Louis, Missouri. Alvaro Beltran's 8th place ranking means he doesn't have to go through qualifying for the first time in three seasons, which we're sure is a relief to him.

He and IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk seemed to have some ill will after last Sunday's final in Tampa, so it will be interesting to see if what happens if they meet this weekend. That's a possibility that Beltran is in the top half of the draw with Waselenchuk.

Thus, they could meed in the semi-finals, but Beltran will need to defeat Jose Rojas in the quarter finals (assuming they win their Round of 16 matches). Rojas defeated Beltran in the final of the San Diego Open last month.

Chris Crowther may feel like he's drawing the short straw of late, as he was drawn against Beltran in the last tournament for the Round of 16, and this time he'll likely get another Mexican veteran Javiar Moreno, who beat Crowther last month, when they met in the Round of 16 in San Diego.

The IRT Network will be web-casting from St Louis beginning Thursday March 15 at 8 PM CDT. Note that the final will be Saturday night at 6:30 CDT rather than Sunday.

2012 Party With The Pros Tournament - St Louis, Missouri
Round 1

Drew Finke v. Hal Rutherford
Ryan Maher v. Jerry Turley

Geoff Goldblatt v. Travis Woodbury
Rich Berich v. Brad Brumbaugh

Round 2

Q8: Alex Ackermann v. Lee Connell
Q1: Tony Carson v. Drew Finke or Hal Rutherford

Q4: Juan Herrera v. Ryan Maher or Jerry Turley
Q5: Brad Schopieray v. Tyler Otto

Q6: Arthur Schmeiser v. John Scott
Q3: Javier Moreno v. Geoff Goldblatt or Travis Woodbury

Q2: Charlie Pratt v. Rich Berich or Brad Brumbaugh
Q7: Ruben Gonzalez v. Juan Martinez

Main Draw - Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Shane Vanderson v. Q1

Alvaro Beltran 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....

Beltran 8th in latest IRT rankings

Alvaro Beltran's consecutive finals appearances have earned him enough points to get into the 8th spot in the latest International Racquetball Tour (IRT) rankings. That means he will not have to go through qualifying at this week's Party With The Pros tournament in St Louis, which will be the first tournament that he hasn't played at least one Thursday qualifying match since injurying his knee in August 2009 - a span of two and half years.

Since the February 22 rankings, Beltran passed Tony Carson, Charlie Pratt and Anthony Herrera to get to 8th spot; those players are now 9th, 10th and 11th, respectively.

The top 4 players have not changed. Kane Waselenchuk remains #1, followed by Rocky Carson #2, Ben Croft #3 and Jose Rojas #4.

But Chris Crowther is now 5th, having moved ahead of Andy Hawthorne who drops back to 6th. Shane Vanderson is holding steady in 7th.

Ruben Gonzalez, who's goal was to be in the top 10 at season's end, has reached a season high, as he's in 20th now. Thus, he's got some work to do to get to the top 10.

IRT Rankings - 14 March 2012

Rank - Player - Points

1 Kane WASELENCHUK, 4884

2 Rocky CARSON, 3894

3 Ben CROFT, 3020

4 Jose ROJAS, 2831

5 Chris CROWTHER, 2406

6 Andy HAWTHORNE, 2221

7 Shane VANDERSON, 2108

8 Alvaro BELTRAN, 1901

9 Tony CARSON, 1741

10 Charlie PRATT, 1733

11 Anthony HERRERA, 1424

12 Javier MORENO, 1361

13 Juan HERRERA, 771

14 Jack HUCZEK, 743

15 Daniel DE LA ROSA, 714

16 Brad SCHOPIERAY, 698

17 Arthur SCHMEISER, 673

18 Alejandro LANDA, 649

19 Taylor KNOTH, 634

20 Ruben GONZALEZ, 580

Follow the bouncing ball....

How not to play doubles

Some of The Racquetball Blog staff was at a tournament on the weekend and we saw a very entertaining B doubles match between some younger guys. We've long known that watching doubles matches with people who've got the adrenaline going but aren't necessarily at a high skill level can quite the spectacle in much the same way that a demolition derby can be.

Part of the reason it was so entertaining was that everyone (all right handers) served to the left side. This meant that no one was entirely sure of where they were supposed to be. You sometimes see teams serve to only one of their opponents when there's a clear difference in skill between their opponents (for example, we'd advise anyone playing doubles against a team with Kane Waselenchuk on it to serve everything to the other player).

But to do so as the default strategy when your opponents aren't dramatically different can be foolish if not actually dangerous for lower skilled players. It's a questionable strategy, because that kind of switching can cause uncertainty and confusion between you and your partner as to where you should be and who's going to take the next shot.

It can also be just as confusing for your opponents, which is how it can be dangerous, because they don't know where to be to get out of your way and don't know where you are when they are taking their shot.

K.I.S.S.

The simplest way to play doubles is to divide the court into thirds lengthwise and have one player responsible for the left, the other for the right, with the middle usually going to the player on the left, as he or she can use their forehand (assuming the player on the left is right-handed). Communication is also vitally important to clarify who's taking what shot, especially for teams that haven't played much together.

That said, you should also move up or back to compliment your partner. Thus, if your partner is in the back court taking a shot, you should move forward to cover your opponent's potential pinch shot, and vice versa.

Also, you generally serve to the side that you are on, which keeps your partner out of trouble. The guys we saw on the weekend did have their partner on the right side as they served to left, so they weren't endangering their partner on the serve.

Still, constantly switching sides when serving can be unsettling to even an experienced team. With a less experienced team it's likely more trouble than it's worth.

Doubles is a team game, and on teams it's important to know your role, and play your role. Changing roles is just asking for trouble.

Follow the bouncing ball....

Weekend Round Up - Allen & Miller multiple winners

Jansen Allen had a busy weekend in Denver, as he won three titles at the Mile High Pro-Am. Allen defeated Alex Ackermann, 15-14, 12-15, 11-6, in the final of the Men's Open division. Allan got to the final with a win over Tyler Otto, 15-10, 15-9, while Ackermann needed a tie-breaker to defeat Adam Manilla, 15-4, 14-15, 11-7.

Allen also won two doubles titles, as he and Ackermann teamed up in Men's Open doubles and defeated Kevin Holmes and Parker Bremner in the final, 15-3, 15-6. Allen completed the trifecta with Rhonda Rajsich in Mixed Pro/Open Doubles with a win over Manilla and Keely Franks in the final, 15-11, 15-12.

Jennifer Saunders won the Women's Open division in Denver at the Mile High Pro-Am, defeating Cristina Amaya in the final, 15-10, 13-15, 11-3. Saunders beat Keely Franks in the semi-finals, 12-15, 15-5, 11-4, while Amaya defeated Da'monique Davis in the other semi, 15-13, 15-10.

Wesley Miller was also a multiple winner on the weekend, as he took the Men's Open and Open Doubles titles in the Florida Spring Break event. Miller defeated Nick Hand in the final (score unknown).

Miller, the 2nd seed, got to the final with a 15-6, 15-13 win over Brad Schopieray in the semi-finals, while Hand, the 9th seed defeated Christian Wer in the other semi, 15-10, 15-10.

Miller teamed up with Jason Green to take the doubles title after a close final against Kevin Jumper and Roberto Cantos that went 14-15, 15-14, 11-8.

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Waselenchuk defeats Beltran to win in Florida

Kane Waselenchuk finished off a successful return to action on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) by defeating Alvaro Beltran in the final of the Florida Spring Break Pro-Am tournament in Tampa, winning 5-11, 11-9, 11-1, 11-5. But the win wasn't without some controversy.

In game one, Waselenchuk seemed to be laboring with some residual effects from his nagging back injury. Afterwards, Waselenchuk said "I felt great in warm up," but it was the shots that he had to really stretch for that gave him some trouble.

The controversy came in Beltran's reaction to Waselenchuk's difficulties, as Waselenchuk felt Beltran was "mocking me." Beltran did say afterwards that if Waselenchuk "was hurt he wouldn't beat me," suggesting that Beltran didn't believe Waselenchuk's injury was very severe.

Waselenchuk said Beltran's behavior "pissed me off," and "showed a lack of respect." Waselenchuk said he never did anything like that to Beltran when he was injured. Beltran said his knee injury kept him out for two years. Waselenchuk's injury has caused him to miss the last two tournaments.

Despite the physical difficulty, Waselenchuk said the match was mentally more taxing as he knew he had "to put the balls away," because long rallies would not be in his favor given his injury.

But "there's a reason I'm the greatest," Waselenchuk said, and "hopefully this reminded people" of that after the last two tournaments were won by other players in his absence.

Certainly the outcome suggests that a laboring Waselenchuk is better than many, if not all, of the competition.

The next IRT event is this coming weekend as the scene shifts to St Louis for the Party with the Pros event beginning March 15. Note that the final will be Saturday night, rather than Sunday. The IRT Network will be web-casting the action beginning on Thursday evening with qualifying matches.

2012 Florida Spring Break Pro-Am - Tampa, Florida

Final

Kane Waselenchuk d. Alvaro Beltran, 5-11, 11-9, 11-1, 11-5

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Longoria defeats Rajsich to win Mile High Pro-Am

Paola Longoria continued her winning streak on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour by winning the Mile High Pro-Am in Denver on Sunday. Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich in three straight games, 11-6, 11-3, 11-5 in the final. It's Longoria's 9th win in her last 10 WPRO matches versus Rajsich.

The next WPRO event is the 2012 Battle of the Alamo tournament in San Antonio, Texas from April 19-22.

WPRO - Mile High Pro-Am - Denver, Colorado

Final (seeds)

(1) Paola Longoria d. (2) Rhonda Rajsich, 11-6, 11-3, 11-5

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Longoria & Rajsich in the Mile High Pro-Am final

Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich will once again face off in a final of a Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tournament, as they won their respective semi-final matches on Saturday in the Mile High Pro-Am in Denver.

Longoria defeated 5th seed Krystal Csuk, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5, while Rajsich ousted 3rd seed Kerri Wachtel in four games, 11-4, 11-0, 8-11, 11-9.

Longoria and Rajsich are the premier WPRO players, and have been for the last few seasons. But Longoria has won 8 of their last 9 matches, as well as the gold medal final at last year's Pan American Games.

Thus, the smart money would be on Longoria in Sunday's final, but Rajsich will certainly give it everything she has to beat the WPRO's #1 player.

WPRO - Mile High Pro-Am - Denver, Colorado

Semi-finals (seeds)

(1) Paola Longoria d. (5) Krystal Csuk, 11-5, 1--6, 11-5

(2) Rhonda Rajsich d. (3) Kerri Wachtel, 11-4, 11-0, 8-11, 11-9

Final

(1) Paola Longoria v. (2) Rhonda Rajsich - 11 AM MDT Sunday

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Beltran reaches 2nd straight IRT final

Alvaro Beltran has made a second straight final on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), as he won his semi-final match versus Ben Croft the IRT's 3rd ranked player, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, in the semi-finals of the Florida Spring Break Pro-Am in Tampa. He'll play the IRT's #1 player Kane Waselenchuk in Sunday's final.

Waselenchuk beat Jose Rojas, the IRT's #4 player, in what was a unique match, as Rojas won the first game 11-0, only to have Waselenchuk come back and win game two 11-0.

Waselenchuk used the momentum to push through and win games three and four to take the match, 0-11, 11-0, 11-4, 11-1.

Afterwards, Waselenchuk said "I don't even know how I won. The match is kind of a blur," as he was worried about hurting himself more. Waselenchuk injured his back two months ago in the California Open and reaggravated it in the New York Open, which led to him missing the last two IRT events.

Waselenchuk changed pace after game one, but said that wasn't an intended plan. Rather it was just a result of the situations he found himself in.

Rojas, who's form dropped off after game one, said he wasn't bothered by the change of pace so much as his arm started hurting.

Asked about game one, Rojas said he "felt like I was in the zone, killing balls, and you have to kill balls against [Waselenchuk]." For his part, Waselenchuk said Rojas was serving well in game one, and his own shots were not good, coming into the middle. At a pro level, Waselenchuk said, players should be hitting winners when the ball comes into the middle and Rojas did that.

The IRT Network is web-casting the final at noon EDT (note: the USA goes to daylight saving time this Sunday).

2012 Florida Spring Break Pro-Am - Tampa, Florida

Semi-finals

Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Rojas, 0-11, 11-0, 11-4, 11-1

Alvaro Beltran d. Ben Croft, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5

Final

Kane Waselenchuk v. Alvaro Beltran - Noon PM EDT

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Mile High Quarter finals

The top three seeds advanced to tre semi-finals at the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) Mile High Pro-Am in Denver, but the 4th seed fell short.

WPRO #1 Paola Longoria defeated Jennifer Saunders, 11-0, 11-7, 11-4. WPRO #2 Rhonda Rajsich needed five games to fend of Mexican veteran Susana Acosta, 11-4, 9-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5, and #3 Kerri Wachtel fended off former #1 Cheryl Gudinas in four games, 7-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-8.

But 4th seed Adrienne Fisher lost to 5th seed Krystal Csuk in four games, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6. She'll next face Longoria in the semi-finals later on Saturday.

WPRO - Mile High Pro-Am - Denver, Colorado

Quarter finals

Paola Longoria d. Jennifer Saunders, 11-0, 11-7, 11-4

Krystal Csuk d. Adrienne Fisher, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6

Kerri Wachtel d. Cheryl Gudinas, 7-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-8

Rhonda Rajsich d. Susy Acosta, 11-4, 9-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5

Semi-finals

Paola Longoria v. Krystal Csuk

Rhonda Rajsich v. Kerri Wachtel

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Mile High Round of 16

There haven't been any surprises through the Round of 16 in Denver at the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization's (WPRO's) Mile High Pro-Am. WPRO #1 Paola Longoria won her first match against Sarah Warhatgig, 11-4, 11-0, 11-0.

WPRO #2 Rhonda Rajsich also won comfortably Friday against Christine Richardson, winning 11-9, 121-3, 11-2.

Also, Cheryl Gudinas has reached the quarter finals for the first time since coming back from her knee surgery last year, as she defeated Cristina Amaya, 11-9, 11-6, 11-3. Gudinas will now face 3rd seed Kerri Wachtel, a 11-6, 11-7, 11-3, winner over Marianna Tobon.

WPRO - Mile High Pro-Am - Denver, Colorado

Round of 16

Paola Longoria d. Sarah Warhaftig, 11-4, 11-0, 11-0

Jennifer Saunders d. Da'monique Davis, 11-13, 11-7, 11-8, 11-2

Krystal Csuk d. Keely Franks, 11-7, 11-4, 11-6

Adrienne Fisher d. Islhey Paredes Guillen, 11-1, 3-11, 11-3, 11-2

Kerri Wachtel d. Marianna Tobon, 11-6, 11-7, 11-3

Cheryl Gudinas d. Cristina Amaya, 11-9, 11-6, 11-3

Susy Acosta d. T.J. Baumbaugh, 11-8, 11-6, 11-1

Rhonda Rajsich d. Christine Richardson, 11-9, 11-3, 11-2

Quarter finals

Paola Longoria v. Jennifer Saunders

Adrienne Fisher v. Krystal Csuk

Kerri Wachtel v. Cheryl Gudinas

Rhonda Rajsich v. Susy Acosta

First Round

Sarah Warhaftig d. Marie Barron, 11-4, 11-8, 11-4

Islhey Paredes Guillen d. Grace Hughes, 11-9, 3-11, 11-7, 8-11, 13-11

Marianna Tobon d. Cheyenne Hayes, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6

Christine Richardson d. Debbie Beldring, 11-, 11-6, 11-8

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Beltran's into the semis at Florida Spring Break tournament

Alvaro Beltran did it again, as he defeated Rocky Carson, the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) 2nd ranked player, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5, in the quarter finals of the Florida Spring Break Pro-Am in Tampa. He'll play the winner of 3rd seed Ben Croft and Anthony Herrera, whose match is still in progress.

Kane Waselenchuk, the IRT's #1 player, also advanced to the semi-finals with a straight game victory over Andy Hawthorne in the quarters, 11-2, 11-4, 11-7.

The 3rd and 4th seeds also won but both Ben Croft and Jose Rojas needed tie-breakers to get it to the semi-finals, and both faced an elimination game. Third seeded Croft was down 2-1 in gmaes to Anthony Herrera, but came back to win 11-1, 9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8. Rojas was even worse off as he dropped the first two games to Shane Vanderson, but Rojas rallied to pull out the match, 6-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-4.

The IRT Network is web-casting the semi-finals from Tampa on Saturday beginning at 4 PM EST.

2012 Florida Spring Break Pro-Am - Tampa, Florida

Quarter finals

Kane Waselenchuk d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-2, 11-4, 11-7

Jose Rojas d. Shane Vanderson, 6-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-4

Ben Croft d. Anthony Herrera, 11-1, 9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8

Alvaro Beltran d. Rocky Carson, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5

Semi-finals

Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Rojas - 5 PM EST

Alvaro Beltran v. Ben Croft - 4 PM EST

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Florida Spring Break Round of 16

Alvaro Beltran continues to make progress to get back to the top 4 of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), as he defeated Chris Crowther, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4, in the Round of 16 at the Florida Spring Break Pro-Am in Tampa. He'll next play second seed Rocky Carson who was also a winner in straight games over Ruben Gonzalez, 11-0, 11-3, 11-5.

Beltran was last in the IRT top 4 at the end of the 2008-2009 season. Prior to the following season he suffered a knee injury that kept him out of all but final tournament of the 2009-2010 season. Since then Beltran's been trying to get back to where he was, and seems to be coming into that form, as in his last four tournaments he's reached the semi-finals twice and was a finalist in the last tournament in San Diego.

In other action, Anthony Herrera defeated Charlie Pratt, as Pratt injured a knee late in the first game of their match, when Herrera was up 9-5. Pratt's withdrawal gives Herrera his second quarter final appearance of the season. He'll face either 3rd seed Ben Croft or Arthur Schmeiser in the quarters.

Also, Kane Waselenchuk, the IRT's #1 player, made a successful return to IRT after missing two event due to a back injury, as he defeated Mike Harmon, 11-8, 11-1, 11-6, in the Round of 16. Waselenchuk will meet Andy Hawthorne in the quarters, as Hawthorne beat Tony Carson, 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9, in the 16s.

The IRT Network is web-casting the Round of 16 and quarter finals from Tampa on Friday from 10:30 AM EST (16s) and 3:30 PM EST (QFs).

2012 Florida Spring Break Pro-Am - Tampa, Florida

Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk d. Mike Harmon, 11-8, 11-1, 11-6

Andy Hawthorne d. Tony Carson, 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9

Shane Vanderson d. Javier Moreno, 11-5, 9-11, 6-11, 11-0, 11-5

Jose Rojas d. Brad Schopieray, 10-12, 11-8, 11-0, 10-12, 11-5

Ben Croft d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-6, 11-13, 11-4, 11-2

Anthony Herrera d. Charlie Pratt, 9-5, injury forfeit

Alvaro Beltran d. Chris Crowther, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4

Rocky Carson d. Ruben Gonzalez, 11-0, 11-3, 11-5

Quarter finals

Kane Waselenchuk v. Andy Hawthorne

Shane Vanderson v. Jose Rojas

Anthony Herrera v. Ben Croft

Rocky Carson v. Alvaro Beltran

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Florida Spring Break FINAL Preliminary Results

The Florida Spring Break Pro-Am has moved on to the Round of 16, and there were no upsets in the last round of qualifying, so some of the anticipated match-ups are on, including Javiar Moreno versus Shane Vanderson, Tony Carson against Andy Hawthorne, Alvaro Beltran meeting Chris Crowther, as well as Anthony Herrera and Charlie Pratt.

The International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) #1 player, Kane Waselenchuk, will see his first action Friday, when he'll play Floridian Mike Harmon.

The IRT Network is web-casting the Round of 16 and quarter finals from Tampa on Friday from 10:30 AM EST (16s) and 3:30 PM EST (QFs).

2012 Florida Spring Break Pro-Am - Tampa, Florida

Round 1

John Davies d. Derek Izzi, 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 6-11, 12-10

Wesley Miller d. Joe Delfino, 11-9, 3-11, 11-3, 11-1

Cesar Castillo d. Chris Young, 11-6, 11-1, 11-1

Joe Linnell d. Pablo Sauma, 12-10, 11-9, 11-6

Nick Hand d. Scott Gargasz, WBF

Round 2

Q8: Mike Harmon d. Alejandro Herrera

Q1: Tony Carson v. John Davies, 11-2, 11-7, 11-2

Q4: Javier Moreno d. Wesley Miller, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3

Q5: Brad Schopieray d. Cesar Castillo, 11-3, 11-8, 3-11, 11-5

Q6: Arthur Schmeiser d. Geoffrey Goldblatt, 11-7, 11-9, 11-9

Q3: Anthony Herrera d. Joe Linnell, 13-11, 11-4, 11-5

Q2: Alvaro Beltran d. Nick Hand, 11-9, 11-0, 11-8

Q7: Ruben Gonzalez d. Joe Workman, 11-2, 11-3, 9-11, 11-4

Main Draw - Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk v. Mike Harmon

Andy Hawthorne v. Tony Carson

Shane Vanderson v. Javier Moreno

Jose Rojas v. Brad Schopieray

Ben Croft v. Arthur Schmeiser

Charlie Pratt v. Anthony Herrera

Chris Crowther v. Alvaro Beltran

Rocky Carson v. Ruben Gonzalez

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Florida Spring Break Preliminary Results

There are a few early results in from the qualifying rounds of the Florida Spring Break Pro-Am - this weekend's Tier 1 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - in Tampa, but no surprises so far.

The IRT Network will be web-casting some of the last round of qualifying matches from Tampa later today beginning at 8 PM EST.

2012 Florida Spring Break Pro-Am - Tampa, Florida

Round 1

John Davies d. Derek Izzi, 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 6-11, 12-10

Wesley Miller d. Joe Delfino, 11-9, 3-11, 11-3, 11-1

Cesar Castillo d. Chris Young, 11-6, 11-1, 11-1

Joe Linnell v. Pablo Sauma

Nick Hand d. Scott Gargasz, WBF

Round 2

Q8: Alejandro Herrera v. Mike Harmon

Q1: Tony Carson v. John Davies

Q4: Javier Moreno v. Wesley Miller

Q5: Brad Schopieray v. Cesar Castillo

Q6: Arthur Schmeiser v. Geoffrey Goldblatt

Q3: Anthony Herrera v. Joe Linnell or Pablo Sauma

Q2: Alvaro Beltran v. Nick Hand

Q7: Ruben Gonzalez v. Joe Workman

Main Draw - Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8

Andy Hawthorne v. Q1

Shane Vanderson v. Q4

Jose Rojas v. Q5

Ben Croft v. Q6

Charlie Pratt v. Q3

Chris Crowther v. Q2

Rocky Carson v. Q7

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Florida Spring Break Preview

The Florida Spring Break Pro-Am - this weekend's Tier 1 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - begins Thursday in Tampa, Florida, and there's every indication that IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk is ready for action after missing two tournaments due to a back injury. Waselenchuk won't play until Friday, when he'll face the winner of Alejandro Herrera and Mike Harmon in the Round of 16.

Some other interesting potential Round of 16 match ups include Javiar Moreno versus Shane Vanderson, Tony Carson against Andy Hawthorne, Alvaro Beltran meeting Chris Crowther, as well as Anthony Herrera and Charlie Pratt.

The IRT Network will be web-casting from Tampa beginning Thursday March 8 at 8 PM EST.

2012 Florida Spring Break Pro-Am - Tampa, Florida

Round 1

Derek Izzi v. John Davies

Wesley Miller v. Joe Delfino

Cesar Castillo v. Chris Young

Joe Linnell v. Pablo Sauma

Nick Hand v. Scott Gargasz

Round 2

Q8: Alejandro Herrera v. Mike Harmon

Q1: Tony Carson v. Derek Izzi or John Davies

Q4: Javier Moreno v. Wesley Miller or Joe Delfino

Q5: Brad Schopieray v. Cesar Castillo or Chris Young

Q6: Arthur Schmeiser v. Geoffrey Goldblatt

Q3: Anthony Herrera v. Joe Linnell or Pablo Sauma

Q2: Alvaro Beltran v. Nick Hand or Scott Gargasz

Q7: Ruben Gonzalez v. Joe Workman

Main Draw - Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8

Andy Hawthorne v. Q1

Shane Vanderson v. Q4

Jose Rojas v. Q5

Ben Croft v. Q6

Charlie Pratt v. Q3

Chris Crowther v. Q2

Rocky Carson v. Q7

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Mile High Preview - UPDATED

The Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) is back in action this weekend with the Mile High Pro-Am in Denver, Colorado. It's an opportunity for Paola Longoria to extend her winning streak. She's won 21 matches in a row dating back to the WPRO Ektelon World Championships last May in New Orleans. That doesn't include Longoria's gold medal performance at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara.

Thus, Longoria's the favorite in Denver. But her longtime rival, Rhonda Rajsich, will be there to try and end her streak, as will most of the WPRO's top 10 players. The exception is Samantha Salas, who's still recovering from her arm injury.

The WPRO has released the draw for Denver, and it includes Canadian Christine Richardson, who recently qualified for Team Canada's entry at the upcoming Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile; it'll be her first appearance on Team Canada.

The WPRO has plans to live stream action on Saturday from the Mile High Pro-Am in Denver, Colorado via its UStream.tv channel.

WPRO - Mile High Pro-Am - Denver, Colorado

Round of 16

1 - Paola Longoria

16 - Marie Barron vs. Sarah Warhaftig

9 - Da'monique Davis

8 - Jennifer Saunders

5 - Krystal Csuk

12 - Keely Franks

13 - Grace Hughes vs. Marianna Tobon

4 - Adrienne Fisher

3 - Kerri Wachtel

14 - Cheyenne Hayes vs. Islhey Paredes Guillen

10 - T.J. Baumbaugh

6 - Cristina Amaya

7 - Susy Acosta-Mendoza

11 - Cheryl Gudinas

15 - Debbie Beldring vs. Christine Richardson

2 - Rhonda Rajsich

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT - Crowther wins Carl Myers Memorial tournament

Chris Crowther won the 6th Carl Myers Memorial Racquetball Tournament - a Tier 2 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - in Garden City, Kansas on the weekend, defeating Shane Vanderson in the final, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6.

Vanderson had upset top seed Ben Croft in the semi-finals, 11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-3, while Crowther beat Andy Hawthorne in the other semi-final, 11-2, 11-2, 10-12, 11-9.

Crowther and Vanderson teamed up in doubles and took the Pro Doubles title, beating Hawthorne and Tony Carson in the final, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9.

Crowther and Vanderson got to the final with a win over Dustin Webster and Alex Ackermann in the semi-finals, 11-4, 12-10, 5-11, 11-4. Hawthorne and Carson beat Croft and Jared Torres in the other semi-final, 11-7, 11-5, 11-4.

This coming weekend features an IRT Tier 1 event in Tampa, Florida: the Florida Spring Break Pro/Am.

6th Carl Myers Memorial Racquetball Tournament - Garden City, Kansas

Final

Chris Crowther d. Shane Vanderson, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6

Semi-finals

Shane Vanderson d. Ben Croft, 11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-3

Chris Crowther d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-2, 11-2, 10-12, 11-9

Doubles final

Chris Crowther & Shane Vanderson d. Andy Hawthorne & Tony Carson, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9.

Semi-finals

Chris Crowther & Shane Vanderson d. Dustin Webster & Alex Ackermann, 11-4, 12-10, 5-11, 11-4

Andy Hawthorne & Tony Carson d. Ben Croft & Jared Torres, 11-7, 11-5, 11-4

Follow the bouncing ball....

CPRT - Clouse successfully defends CPRT Nationals title

Woody Clouse successfully defended his Classic Pro Racquetball Tour (CPRT) Nationals title in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, as he defeated Jimmy Lowe in five games, 9-4, 9-5, 7-9, 5-9, 9-6. Clouse, the #1 CPRT player, defeated Travis Aldinger last year, and was also in the finals two years ago when he lost to Cliff Swain.

Clouse reached the final with a win over George Bustos, 9-4, 9-2, 6-9, 9-4, while 3rd seeded Lowe beat 2nd seed Craig Lane, 1-9, 9-8, 9-5, 9-2.

2012 CPRT Nationals, Las Vegas, Nevada

Final

Woody Clouse d. Jimmy Lowe, 9-4, 9-5, 7-9, 5-9, 9-6

Semi-finals

Woody Clouse d. George Bustos, 9-4, 9-2, 6-9, 9-4

Jimmy Lowe d. Craig Lane, 1-9, 9-8, 9-5, 9-2

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Rankings, Longoria remains at #1

The Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) has released its latest rankings, which include results from the Wilson Tour for Hope event in Cincinnati at the end of January. That was a satellite event, and only a few players participated, so there aren't many changes in the rankings.

Paola Longoria, winner of every WPRO event this season, remains the #1 WPRO player, followed by Rhonda Rajsich, Kerri Wachtel and Samantha Salas, in postions 2-4, respectively.

The only changes in the top 10 are Cristina Amaya's move up to 7th ahead of Susy Acosta-Mendoza, who drops back to 8th. Also, Da'monique Davis has cracked the top 10 for the first time, as she's 10th.

In the next ten, Kristen Bellows, a former top 4 player, continues to move up the rankings in her return to WPRO competition; she's now 11th, ahead of Angela Grisar, who was 10th previously, but has fallen back to 12th.

Former #1, Cheryl Gudinas, who had knee surgery in the fall and has only played one tournament since then, has also fallen back and sits in 16th spot now.

The next WPRO event is next weekend March 8-11 when the Mile High Pro-Am happens in Denver, Colorado.

WPRO Rankings - February 27, 2012

Rank - Name - Residence - Points

1 - Paola Longoria, Tijuana, Mexico - 1366.00

2 - Rhonda Rajsich, Phoenix, AZ - 1226.40

3 - Kerri Wachtel, Cincinnati, OH - 495.40

4 - Samantha Salas, Monterrey, Mexico - 460.30

5 - Adrienne Fisher, Centerville, OH - 409.25

6 - Krystal Csuk, Chicago, IL - 356.00

7 - Cristina Amaya, Cali, Colombia - 342.65

8 - Susy Acosta-Mendoza, Chihuahua, Mexico - 331.50

9 - Jennifer Saunders, Winnipeg, Canada - 294.00

10 - Da'monique Davis, San Antonio, TX - 206.75

11 - Kristen Bellows, Pleasant Grove, UT - 200.90

12 - Angela Grisar, San Ramon, CA - 193.00

13 - T.J. Baumbaugh, Reston, VA - 192.50

14 - Christie Huczek, Trophy Club, TX - 150.25

15 - Linda Scales, Euless, TX - 140.00

16 - Cheryl Gudinas, Naperville, IL - 136.00

17 - Aimee Ruiz, Woodbridge, NJ - 100.00

18 - Laura Brandt, Ft. Lauderdale, FL - 96.50

19 - Sharon Jackson, Shelbyville, IN - 96.10

20 - Keely Franks, Euless, TX - 70.00

Follow the bouncing ball....