Jose Diaz won an all Stockton final in Men's Open at the Ghost of Georgetown - Kansas City Pro-Am on the weekend, as he defeated Marco Rojas in the final, 14-15, 15-6, 11-2.
Diaz beat Tyler Otto in the semi-finals, 15-8, 15-6, and Rojas beat Alejandro Herrera, 15-4, 15-10.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
Men's Open Final
Jose Diaz d. Marco Rojas, 14-15, 15-6, 11-2
Semi-finals
Jose Diaz d. Tyler Otto, 15-8, 15-6
Marco Rojas d. Alejandro Herrera, 15-4, 15-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, September 17, 2012
Waselenchuk begins year with a win at the Kansas City Pro-Am / Ghost of Georgetown
Kane Waselenchuk has begun the 2012-13 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season as he finished last season by winning the Ghost of Georgetown - Kansas City Pro-Am. Waelenchuk defeated Rocky Carson in the final, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7.
The next IRT event will be the US Open in Minneapolis beginning October 3.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
Final
(1) Kane Waselenchuk d. (2) Rocky Carson, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
The next IRT event will be the US Open in Minneapolis beginning October 3.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
Final
(1) Kane Waselenchuk d. (2) Rocky Carson, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, September 16, 2012
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am / Ghost of Georgetown Semi-finals
It will be #1 versus #2 in the final of the Ghost of Georgetown - Kansas City Pro-Am - the first International Racquetball Tour (IRT) tournament of the 2012-13 season, as top seed Kane Waselenchuk will play second seed Rocky Carson on Sunday.
Waselenchuk advanced to the final as the result of forfeit in the semi-finals by Alvaro Beltran, whose back was acting up. Hopefully, Beltran's injury won't effect him long term, as the US Open in coming up in two weeks.
In the other semi-final, Carson defeated Jose Rojas, 11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5, to set up his first final with Waselenchuk since the Party with the Pros event in March in St Louis, which Waselenchuk won in three straight games.
You can watch the final from Kansas City via the internet on the IRT Network beginning at 11:45 AM CDT on Sunday.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
(seeds)
Semi-finals
(1) Kane Waselenchuk d. (5) Alvaro Beltran, WBF
(2) Rocky Carson d. (3) Jose Rojas, 11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5
Final
(1) Kane Waselenchuk v. (2) Rocky Carson - 11:45 AM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
Waselenchuk advanced to the final as the result of forfeit in the semi-finals by Alvaro Beltran, whose back was acting up. Hopefully, Beltran's injury won't effect him long term, as the US Open in coming up in two weeks.
In the other semi-final, Carson defeated Jose Rojas, 11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5, to set up his first final with Waselenchuk since the Party with the Pros event in March in St Louis, which Waselenchuk won in three straight games.
You can watch the final from Kansas City via the internet on the IRT Network beginning at 11:45 AM CDT on Sunday.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
(seeds)
Semi-finals
(1) Kane Waselenchuk d. (5) Alvaro Beltran, WBF
(2) Rocky Carson d. (3) Jose Rojas, 11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5
Final
(1) Kane Waselenchuk v. (2) Rocky Carson - 11:45 AM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, September 14, 2012
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am / Ghost of Georgetown - Quarter finals
Two matches went the distance and two went three straight in the quarter finals of the Ghost of Georgetown - Kansas City Pro-Am International Racquetball Tour (IRT) tournament. The top two seeds, Kane Waselenchuk and Rocky Carson were the straight game victors.
Waselenchuk made short work of Tony Carson, 11-1, 11-2, 11-1, but Carson's three games with Shane Vanderson were all close, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9.
Waselenchuk will play Alvaro Beltran in the semi-finals on Saturday, as Beltran defeated Ben Croft in five games, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, 2-11, 11-8. After splitting the first two games, Beltran needed five game points before finishing game three.
But game four was all Croft, as he forced a tie-breaker. He kept the momentum up in the tb as Croft went out to a 7-0 lead. But Beltran battled back with 9 straight points before Croft got another. But that was all Croft could manage as Beltran closed it out 11-8.
Beltran lob served but to the left - rather than his usual right side lobs, and he had the ball nick off the side wall deep and low on the left wall, which proved effective. Croft also was upset by some of the calls during the match.
Jose Rojas will be Rocky Carson's opponent in the semis, as Rojas defeated Chris Crowther in five games in the quarters, 13-11, 13-11, 6-11, 6-11, 11-2. After two close games, it seemed that Rojas might put it away in three, as he was up 6-3 in game three only to have Crowther respond with eight unanswered points.
The same thing happened in game four, as Rojas was again up 6-3 and lost 11-6. In game five, Rojas once again had the early lead, but this time it was 6-2, and perhaps that made all the difference, as Rojas went on to win 11-2 and advance to the semis.
You can watch the semi-finals from Kansas City via the internet on the IRT Network. They're set to kick off at 4 PM and 5 PM CDT on Saturday.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
Quarter finals
(1) Kane Waselenchuk d. Tony Carson, 11-1, 11-2, 11-1
(5) Alvaro Beltran d. (4) Ben Croft, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, 2-11, 11-8
(3) Jose Rojas v. (6) Chris Crowther, 13-11, 13-11, 6-11, 6-11, 11-2
(2) Rocky Carson v. (7) Shane Vanderson, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9
Semi-finals
(1) Kane Waselenchuk v. (5) Alvaro Beltran, 5 PM CDT
(2) Rocky Carson v. (3) Jose Rojas, 4 PM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
Waselenchuk made short work of Tony Carson, 11-1, 11-2, 11-1, but Carson's three games with Shane Vanderson were all close, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9.
Waselenchuk will play Alvaro Beltran in the semi-finals on Saturday, as Beltran defeated Ben Croft in five games, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, 2-11, 11-8. After splitting the first two games, Beltran needed five game points before finishing game three.
But game four was all Croft, as he forced a tie-breaker. He kept the momentum up in the tb as Croft went out to a 7-0 lead. But Beltran battled back with 9 straight points before Croft got another. But that was all Croft could manage as Beltran closed it out 11-8.
Beltran lob served but to the left - rather than his usual right side lobs, and he had the ball nick off the side wall deep and low on the left wall, which proved effective. Croft also was upset by some of the calls during the match.
Jose Rojas will be Rocky Carson's opponent in the semis, as Rojas defeated Chris Crowther in five games in the quarters, 13-11, 13-11, 6-11, 6-11, 11-2. After two close games, it seemed that Rojas might put it away in three, as he was up 6-3 in game three only to have Crowther respond with eight unanswered points.
The same thing happened in game four, as Rojas was again up 6-3 and lost 11-6. In game five, Rojas once again had the early lead, but this time it was 6-2, and perhaps that made all the difference, as Rojas went on to win 11-2 and advance to the semis.
You can watch the semi-finals from Kansas City via the internet on the IRT Network. They're set to kick off at 4 PM and 5 PM CDT on Saturday.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
Quarter finals
(1) Kane Waselenchuk d. Tony Carson, 11-1, 11-2, 11-1
(5) Alvaro Beltran d. (4) Ben Croft, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, 2-11, 11-8
(3) Jose Rojas v. (6) Chris Crowther, 13-11, 13-11, 6-11, 6-11, 11-2
(2) Rocky Carson v. (7) Shane Vanderson, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9
Semi-finals
(1) Kane Waselenchuk v. (5) Alvaro Beltran, 5 PM CDT
(2) Rocky Carson v. (3) Jose Rojas, 4 PM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am Round of 16
Things went mostly according to the seedings in the Round of 16 at the Ghost of Georgetown - Kansas City Pro-Am International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event. Top seed Kane Waselenchuk made short work of Jose Diaz, winning in straight games, 11-6, 11-1, 11-0. Waselenchuk lob served in game one, and then turned it up with drive serves in games two and three.
Second seed Rocky Carson also won in three against David Horn, 11-1, 12-10, 11-0. He'll face Shane Vanderson in the quarrier finals later, as Vanderson beat Charlie Pratt, 11-3, 11-4, 11-0.
Waselenchuk's next opponent will be Tony Carson (no relation to Rocky), who was an upset winner against 8th seed Andy Hawthorne in five games, 7-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6.
Ben Croft will play Alvaro Beltran in the quarter-finals, as he defeated James Slamko in three games, and Beltran beat Alex Ackermann, 13-11, 11-6, 11-7.
Lastly, in the quarter finals, Jose Rojas will face Chris Crowther. Both were straight game winners in the 16s. Rojas beat Juan Martinez, 11-6, 11-5, 11-1, and Crowther defeated Nick Montalbano, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4.
You can watch the action from Kansas City via the internet on the IRT Network. The quarter finals will begin at 4 PM CDT.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
Round of 16
(1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Diaz, 11-6, 11-1, 11-0
Tony Carson d. (8) Andy Hawthorne, 7-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6
(5) Alvaro Beltran d. Alex Ackermann, 13-11, 11-6, 11-7
(4) Ben Croft d. James Slamko, 11-, 11-8, 11-6
(3) Jose Rojas d. Juan Martinez, 11-6, 11-5, 11-1
(6) Chris Crowther v. Nick Montalbano, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4
(7) Shane Vanderson d. Charlie Pratt, 11-3, 11-4, 11-0
(2) Rocky Carson d. David Horn, 11-1, 12-10, 11-0
Quarter finals
(1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Tony Carson
(4) Ben Croft v. (5) Alvaro Beltran
(3) Jose Rojas v. (6) Chris Crowther
(2) Rocky Carson v. (7) Shane Vanderson
Follow the bouncing ball….
Second seed Rocky Carson also won in three against David Horn, 11-1, 12-10, 11-0. He'll face Shane Vanderson in the quarrier finals later, as Vanderson beat Charlie Pratt, 11-3, 11-4, 11-0.
Waselenchuk's next opponent will be Tony Carson (no relation to Rocky), who was an upset winner against 8th seed Andy Hawthorne in five games, 7-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6.
Ben Croft will play Alvaro Beltran in the quarter-finals, as he defeated James Slamko in three games, and Beltran beat Alex Ackermann, 13-11, 11-6, 11-7.
Lastly, in the quarter finals, Jose Rojas will face Chris Crowther. Both were straight game winners in the 16s. Rojas beat Juan Martinez, 11-6, 11-5, 11-1, and Crowther defeated Nick Montalbano, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4.
You can watch the action from Kansas City via the internet on the IRT Network. The quarter finals will begin at 4 PM CDT.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
Round of 16
(1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Diaz, 11-6, 11-1, 11-0
Tony Carson d. (8) Andy Hawthorne, 7-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6
(5) Alvaro Beltran d. Alex Ackermann, 13-11, 11-6, 11-7
(4) Ben Croft d. James Slamko, 11-, 11-8, 11-6
(3) Jose Rojas d. Juan Martinez, 11-6, 11-5, 11-1
(6) Chris Crowther v. Nick Montalbano, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4
(7) Shane Vanderson d. Charlie Pratt, 11-3, 11-4, 11-0
(2) Rocky Carson d. David Horn, 11-1, 12-10, 11-0
Quarter finals
(1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Tony Carson
(4) Ben Croft v. (5) Alvaro Beltran
(3) Jose Rojas v. (6) Chris Crowther
(2) Rocky Carson v. (7) Shane Vanderson
Follow the bouncing ball….
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am Preliminary Results
Eight men were seeded into the second round of qualifying in the The Ghost of Georgetown - Kansas City Pro-Am International Racquetball Tour (IRT) draw, but only three of them will be playing in the Round of 16 on Friday. Those will be IRT #9 Tony Carson, #10 Charlie Pratt, and #22 Jose Diaz.
Carson saw off Marco Rojas in three straight games, 11-2, 12-10, 11-2, while Pratt was also a straight game winner against Francisco Troncoso, 11-7, 11-3, 11-2.
But Diaz was involved in one of the four matches that went tie-breaker, as he lost the first two games against Alejandro Herrera before coming back to win it in five, 8-11, 3-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-5.
The legend Ruben Gonzalez almost did the same thing against James Slamko, but it was it was Slamko who won game five after Gonzalez came back from 0-2 down only to lose 11-7, 11-7, 1-11, 5-11, 11-1.
The other two five game winners were Juan Martinez, who beat Arthur Schmeiser, 7-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6, and David Horn, a victor over Felipe Camacho, 11-7, 3-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-7.
Brad Schopieray also fell in the prelims, as he lost to Alex Ackermann, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5. The final upset in the prelims was Nick Montalbano straight game victory over Anthony Herrera, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5.
You can watch the action from Kansas City via the internet on the IRT Network. The Round of 16 starts at 10 AM Friday morning.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
Preliminary Round 1
(current IRT ranking)
(23) Alejandro Herrera d. (NR) Ben Ryder, 11-1, 11-0, 11-1
(334) David Horn d. (24) Jansen Allen, 12-10, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9
(27) Juan Martinez d. (204) Luis Reveron, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-4
(28) James Slamko d. (167) Bradly Rogers, 11-1, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 [sic]
(31) Alex Ackermann d. (91) Travis Woodbury, 11-8, 11-6, 11-2
(33) Nick Montalbano d. (79) Derek Izzi, 11-4, 11-5, 11-9
(76) Francisco Troncoso d. (37) Tyler Otto, 11-1, 12-10, 6-11, 11-5
(47) Marco Rojas d. (45) Cesar Castillo, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6
Preliminary Round 2
Q8 (22) Jose Diaz d. (23) Alejandro Herrera, 8-11, 3-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-5
Q1 (9) Tony Carson d. (47) Marco Rojas, 11-2, 12-10, 11-2
Q4 (31) Alex Ackermann d. (14) Brad Schopieray, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5
Q5 (28) James Slamko d. (16) Ruben Gonzalez, 11-7, 11-7, 1-11, 5-11, 11-1
Q6 (27) Juan Martinez d. (18) Arthur Schmeiser, 7-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6
Q3 (33) Nick Montalbano d. (12) Anthony Herrera, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5
Q2 (10) Charlie Pratt d. (76) Francisco Troncoso, 11-7, 11-3, 11-2
Q7 (334) David Horn d. (21) Felipe Camacho, 11-7, 3-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-7
Main Draw of 16
(1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Diaz
(8) Andy Hawthorne v. Tony Carson
(5) Alvaro Beltran v. Alex Ackermann
(4) Ben Croft v. James Slamko
(3) Jose Rojas v. Juan Martinez
(6) Chris Crowther v. Nick Montalbano
(7) Shane Vanderson v. Charlie Pratt
(2) Rocky Carson v. David Horn
Follow the bouncing ball….
Carson saw off Marco Rojas in three straight games, 11-2, 12-10, 11-2, while Pratt was also a straight game winner against Francisco Troncoso, 11-7, 11-3, 11-2.
But Diaz was involved in one of the four matches that went tie-breaker, as he lost the first two games against Alejandro Herrera before coming back to win it in five, 8-11, 3-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-5.
The legend Ruben Gonzalez almost did the same thing against James Slamko, but it was it was Slamko who won game five after Gonzalez came back from 0-2 down only to lose 11-7, 11-7, 1-11, 5-11, 11-1.
The other two five game winners were Juan Martinez, who beat Arthur Schmeiser, 7-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6, and David Horn, a victor over Felipe Camacho, 11-7, 3-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-7.
Brad Schopieray also fell in the prelims, as he lost to Alex Ackermann, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5. The final upset in the prelims was Nick Montalbano straight game victory over Anthony Herrera, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5.
You can watch the action from Kansas City via the internet on the IRT Network. The Round of 16 starts at 10 AM Friday morning.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
Preliminary Round 1
(current IRT ranking)
(23) Alejandro Herrera d. (NR) Ben Ryder, 11-1, 11-0, 11-1
(334) David Horn d. (24) Jansen Allen, 12-10, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9
(27) Juan Martinez d. (204) Luis Reveron, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-4
(28) James Slamko d. (167) Bradly Rogers, 11-1, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 [sic]
(31) Alex Ackermann d. (91) Travis Woodbury, 11-8, 11-6, 11-2
(33) Nick Montalbano d. (79) Derek Izzi, 11-4, 11-5, 11-9
(76) Francisco Troncoso d. (37) Tyler Otto, 11-1, 12-10, 6-11, 11-5
(47) Marco Rojas d. (45) Cesar Castillo, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6
Preliminary Round 2
Q8 (22) Jose Diaz d. (23) Alejandro Herrera, 8-11, 3-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-5
Q1 (9) Tony Carson d. (47) Marco Rojas, 11-2, 12-10, 11-2
Q4 (31) Alex Ackermann d. (14) Brad Schopieray, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5
Q5 (28) James Slamko d. (16) Ruben Gonzalez, 11-7, 11-7, 1-11, 5-11, 11-1
Q6 (27) Juan Martinez d. (18) Arthur Schmeiser, 7-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6
Q3 (33) Nick Montalbano d. (12) Anthony Herrera, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5
Q2 (10) Charlie Pratt d. (76) Francisco Troncoso, 11-7, 11-3, 11-2
Q7 (334) David Horn d. (21) Felipe Camacho, 11-7, 3-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-7
Main Draw of 16
(1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Diaz
(8) Andy Hawthorne v. Tony Carson
(5) Alvaro Beltran v. Alex Ackermann
(4) Ben Croft v. James Slamko
(3) Jose Rojas v. Juan Martinez
(6) Chris Crowther v. Nick Montalbano
(7) Shane Vanderson v. Charlie Pratt
(2) Rocky Carson v. David Horn
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, September 13, 2012
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am / Ghost of Georgetown Preview
The Ghost of Georgetown - Kansas City Pro-Am draw is out, and there's a perfect number of players: 32. Thus, there will be two full preliminary rounds on Thursday to determine the qualifiers for the main round of 16 beginning on Friday. It's a great start to the 2012-13 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season.
There look to be some good matches on Thursday, and one highlight could be from the "Age is just a number" category as Ruben Gonzalez is in the draw. Gonzalez had plans to retire when he turned 60, which he did this past summer, but he wanted to be ranked in the top 10 at that time. He made it to 16th, which is quite good, so maybe he's changed his plans to be that he'll retire when he gets in the top 10. Or maybe Gonzalez just isn't going to retire, which would be fine by us.
Gonzalez will face either James Slamko or Bradly Rogers in the 2nd preliminary round, and a win would put him up against Ben Croft in the Round of 16.
Other highlights could be Brad Schopieray and Alex Ackermann, which would be a battle of two good young player, although Ackermann has to get by veteran Travis Woodbury first.
Marco Rojas is in the draw, and he had some good results late last season. He'll face Cesar Castillo in the first prelim round and the winner will then be up against Tony Carson for a chance to play Andy Hawthorne in the 16s.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
Preliminary Round 1
(current IRT ranking)
(23) Alejandro Herrera v. (NR) Ben Ryder
(24) Jansen Allen v. (334) David Horn
(27) Juan Martinez v. (204) Luis Reveron
(28) James Slamko v. (167) Bradly Rogers
(31) Alex Ackermann v. (91) Travis Woodbury
(33) Nick Montalbano v. (79) Derek Izzi
(37) Tyler Otto v. (76) Francisco Troncoso
(45) Cesar Castillo v. (47) Marco Rojas
Preliminary Round 2
Q8 (22) Jose Diaz v. (23) Alejandro Herrera or (NR) Ben Ryder
Q1 (9) Tony Carson v. (45) Cesar Castillo or (47) Marco Rojas
Q4 (14) Brad Schopieray v. (31) Alex Ackermann or (91) Travis Woodbury
Q5 (16) Ruben Gonzalez v. (28) James Slamko or (167) Bradly Rogers
Q6 (18) Arthur Schmeiser v. (27) Juan Martinez v. (204) Luis Reveron
Q3 (12) Anthony Herrera v. (33) Nick Montalbano v. (79) Derek Izzi
Q2 (10) Charlie Pratt v. (37) Tyler Otto or (76) Francisco Troncoso
Q7 (21) Felipe Camacho v. (24) Jansen Allen or (334) David Horn
Main Draw of 16
(1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
(8) Andy Hawthorne v. Q1
(5) Alvaro Beltran v. Q4
(4) Ben Croft v. Q5
(3) Jose Rojas v. Q6
(6) Chris Crowther v. Q3
(7) Shane Vanderson v. Q2
(2) Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
There look to be some good matches on Thursday, and one highlight could be from the "Age is just a number" category as Ruben Gonzalez is in the draw. Gonzalez had plans to retire when he turned 60, which he did this past summer, but he wanted to be ranked in the top 10 at that time. He made it to 16th, which is quite good, so maybe he's changed his plans to be that he'll retire when he gets in the top 10. Or maybe Gonzalez just isn't going to retire, which would be fine by us.
Gonzalez will face either James Slamko or Bradly Rogers in the 2nd preliminary round, and a win would put him up against Ben Croft in the Round of 16.
Other highlights could be Brad Schopieray and Alex Ackermann, which would be a battle of two good young player, although Ackermann has to get by veteran Travis Woodbury first.
Marco Rojas is in the draw, and he had some good results late last season. He'll face Cesar Castillo in the first prelim round and the winner will then be up against Tony Carson for a chance to play Andy Hawthorne in the 16s.
2012 Kansas City Pro-Am - The Ghost of Georgetown
Preliminary Round 1
(current IRT ranking)
(23) Alejandro Herrera v. (NR) Ben Ryder
(24) Jansen Allen v. (334) David Horn
(27) Juan Martinez v. (204) Luis Reveron
(28) James Slamko v. (167) Bradly Rogers
(31) Alex Ackermann v. (91) Travis Woodbury
(33) Nick Montalbano v. (79) Derek Izzi
(37) Tyler Otto v. (76) Francisco Troncoso
(45) Cesar Castillo v. (47) Marco Rojas
Preliminary Round 2
Q8 (22) Jose Diaz v. (23) Alejandro Herrera or (NR) Ben Ryder
Q1 (9) Tony Carson v. (45) Cesar Castillo or (47) Marco Rojas
Q4 (14) Brad Schopieray v. (31) Alex Ackermann or (91) Travis Woodbury
Q5 (16) Ruben Gonzalez v. (28) James Slamko or (167) Bradly Rogers
Q6 (18) Arthur Schmeiser v. (27) Juan Martinez v. (204) Luis Reveron
Q3 (12) Anthony Herrera v. (33) Nick Montalbano v. (79) Derek Izzi
Q2 (10) Charlie Pratt v. (37) Tyler Otto or (76) Francisco Troncoso
Q7 (21) Felipe Camacho v. (24) Jansen Allen or (334) David Horn
Main Draw of 16
(1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
(8) Andy Hawthorne v. Q1
(5) Alvaro Beltran v. Q4
(4) Ben Croft v. Q5
(3) Jose Rojas v. Q6
(6) Chris Crowther v. Q3
(7) Shane Vanderson v. Q2
(2) Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
IRT Season Review & Preview
Once again the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is kicking of its season with The Ghost of Georgetown racquetball tournament in Kansas City. This will be the 5th season The Racquetball Blog has covered the IRT, and we're looking forward to the boys getting back at it.
But before the ghosts come out of Georgetown, let's have a review of what happened last season in the 12 Tier 1 or Grand Slam IRT events.
IRT Rank - Player - Wins - Seconds - Semis - Quarters
1) Kane Waselenchuk - 9 wins, 1 seconds, 0 semi-finals, 0 quarter finals
2) Rocky Carson - 1 win, 6 seconds, 3 semis, 2 qtrs
3) Jose Rojas - 1 win, 0 seconds, 5 semis, 3 qrts
4) Ben Croft - 1 win, 0 seconds, 6 semis, 4 qtrs
5) Alvaro Beltran - 0 wins, 4 seconds, 2 semis, 3 qtrs
6) Chris Crowther - 0 wins, 1 second, 3 semi, 4 qtrs
7) Shane Vanderson - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 1 semi, 10 qtrs
8) Andy Hawthorne - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 1 semi, 7 qtrs
9) Tony Carson - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 1 semi, 3 qrts
10) Charlie Pratt - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 0 semi, 3 qrts
11) Javier Moreno - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 0 semis, 3 qtrs
12) Anthony Herrera - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 0 semis, 3 qtrs
15) Alex Landa - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 0 semis, 1 qtr
17) Polo Gutierrez - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 1 semi, 1 qtr
Event - Final - Semi-Finalists
Kansas City Final: Waselenchuk d. R. Carson - Semis: Hawthorne, Croft
US Open Final: Waselenchuk d. R. Carson - Rojas, Crowther
Red Swaine Shootout Final: Waselenchuk d. Crowther - Semis: Rojas, Croft
Seattle Pro-Am Final: Waselenchuk d. R. Carson - Semis: Rojas, Croft
California Open Final: Waselenchuk d. R. Carson - Semis: Beltran, Croft
New York City Pro-Am Final: R. Carson d. Waselenchuk - Semis: Crowther, Rojas
Salt Lake City Pro-Am Final: Croft d. R. Carson - Semis: Beltran, Vanderson
San Diego Open Final: Rojas d. Beltran - Semis: T. Carson, R. Carson
Florida Spring Break Pro-Am Final: Waselenchuk d. Beltran - Semis: Rojas, Croft
Party with the Pros Final: Waselenchuk d. R. Carson - Semis: Rojas, Croft
Stockton Pro/Am Final: Waselenchuk d. Beltran - Semis: Crowther, R. Carson
Ektelon Nationals Final: Waselenchuk d. Beltran - Semis: Gutierrez, R. Carson
The 2011-12 IRT Statistical Abstract
Total matches played: 498
Percentage of 3 game matches: 55.4 (276 of 498)
Percentage of 4 game matches: 24.1 (120)
Percentage of 5 game matches: 15.1 (75)
Percentage of matches that were defaults or data was incomplete: 5.4 (27)
Most points for in a victory: 54 - (i) Polo Gutierrez d. Ben Croft, 9-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-13, 12-10, in the NYC Pro-Am & (ii) Jose Rojas d. Javier Moreno, 10-12, 11-5, 11-3, 11-13, 11-7 in the US Open
Most points scored in a loss: 51 - (i) James Swift in loss to Felipe Munoz, 3-11, 13-11, 11-3, 13-15, 13-11, in the Stockton Pro-Am & (ii) Cole Burr in loss to Ruben Gonzalez, 5-11, 13-11, 11-8, 5-11, 12-10, in the Salt Lake City Pro-Am
Most points in a 5 game match: 104 - Felipe Munoz d. James Swift, 3-11, 13-11, 11-3, 13-15, 13-11, in the Stockton Pro-Am
Most points in a 4 game match: 86 - Brandon Cortese d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 14-12 in the Red Swaine Shootout
Most points in a 3 game match: 65 - Anthony Herrera d. Mauricio Zelada, 14-12, 11-9, 11-8, in the NYC Pro-Am
Largest margin of victory 5 game match: 22 by Ben Croft over James Slamko, 11-4, 9-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-0 at the Seattle Pro-Am
Largest margin of victory 4 game match: 23 by (i) Juan Herrera over Tyler Otto, 9-11, 11-4, 11-1, 11-3, in the Kansas City Pro-Am (ii) Teobaldo Fumero over Arthur Schmeiser, 9-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-0, in the Kansas City Pro-Am, & (iii) Ben Croft over Arthur Schmeiser, 11-3, 11-4, 10-12, 11-1 in the Party for the Pros
Largest margin of victory 3 game match: 33 by Hiroshi Shimizu over Ron Briggs, 11-0, 11-0, 11-1 in the US Open
Smallest margin of victory 5 game match: -9 by Tony Carson in win over Mike Green, 1-11, 4-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-7 in the NYC Pro-Am
2nd smallest margin of victory 5 game match: -6 by Javier Moreno in win over Chris Crowther, 11-7, 1-11, 11-8, 1-11, 11-4, in the Kansas City Open
Smallest margin of victory 4 game match: -2 by Agustin Tristan over Javier Moreno, 1-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-7, in NYC Pro-Am
Smallest margin of victory 3 game match: 6 by Ben Croft over Josh Tucker, 11-8, 11-9, 12-10, in the Ektelon Nationals
Waselenchuk dominant... when playing
Kane Waselenchuk continued to dominate men's pro racquetball last season, when he was playing. But unfortunately for him - and all IRT fans - he had to retire during the final of the New York City Pro-Am and then missed the following two events. Waselenchuk's now on the other side of 30, so he's likely closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but he's still playing a very high level when he's able.
Consider that in the last four seasons Waselenchuk's entered 38 tournaments and won 34 of them. Of the four he didn't win, he defaulted due to injury in three (including the San Diego Open last season, when he was a late withdrawal, but the draw couldn't be changed) and only lost once. Curiously, that wasn't in five games or in a final, as Alvaro Beltran beat Waselenchuk in the semi-finals of the 2009 California Open in four games.
Given that record, it's clear who's the number 1 men's racquetball player in the world.
Who's number 2?
But who's number 2? Rocky Carson finished 2nd in the season ending rankings, and he did have a good season, winning one event and being runner-up in six others - more than anyone else. However, Carson's win was due to Waselenchuk's injury default, and in the events Waselenchuk missed, Carson wasn't the winner. Jose Rojas and Ben Croft were.
Yet it was Alvaro Beltran who had the best record of the over the last few events of the season, as he was runner-up in four of the last five events. Beltran seems to be fully recovered from the knee injury he suffered a few years back, but he'll be 34 next month so age isn't on his side. Carson is also over 30, while Croft and Rojas are 27 and 22, respectively.
Thus, this season's battle for the #2 spot could be quite heated.
Who else?
In last season's preview, we wrote that "it would be a shock" if "Tony Carson made an IRT semi-final," so consider us shocked that Carson did reach a semi-final, as he got to the semis in San Diego. Good on him for doing that.
Only one other player reached the semis outside of the top 8: Polo Gutierrez. We'd be happy to see more players get to the semis or farther, especially if it helps put some pressure on Waselenchuk to excel. But it's not clear which, if any, of the players outside the top 8 are going to have a break through this season.
Let's play ball
We're sure there will be some surprises this season (our fingers are crossed that they are good surprises), and we hope that you'll follow along with The Racquetball Blog as we find out just what they are.
Game on!
Follow the bouncing ball....
But before the ghosts come out of Georgetown, let's have a review of what happened last season in the 12 Tier 1 or Grand Slam IRT events.
IRT Rank - Player - Wins - Seconds - Semis - Quarters
1) Kane Waselenchuk - 9 wins, 1 seconds, 0 semi-finals, 0 quarter finals
2) Rocky Carson - 1 win, 6 seconds, 3 semis, 2 qtrs
3) Jose Rojas - 1 win, 0 seconds, 5 semis, 3 qrts
4) Ben Croft - 1 win, 0 seconds, 6 semis, 4 qtrs
5) Alvaro Beltran - 0 wins, 4 seconds, 2 semis, 3 qtrs
6) Chris Crowther - 0 wins, 1 second, 3 semi, 4 qtrs
7) Shane Vanderson - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 1 semi, 10 qtrs
8) Andy Hawthorne - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 1 semi, 7 qtrs
9) Tony Carson - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 1 semi, 3 qrts
10) Charlie Pratt - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 0 semi, 3 qrts
11) Javier Moreno - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 0 semis, 3 qtrs
12) Anthony Herrera - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 0 semis, 3 qtrs
15) Alex Landa - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 0 semis, 1 qtr
17) Polo Gutierrez - 0 wins, 0 seconds, 1 semi, 1 qtr
Event - Final - Semi-Finalists
Kansas City Final: Waselenchuk d. R. Carson - Semis: Hawthorne, Croft
US Open Final: Waselenchuk d. R. Carson - Rojas, Crowther
Red Swaine Shootout Final: Waselenchuk d. Crowther - Semis: Rojas, Croft
Seattle Pro-Am Final: Waselenchuk d. R. Carson - Semis: Rojas, Croft
California Open Final: Waselenchuk d. R. Carson - Semis: Beltran, Croft
New York City Pro-Am Final: R. Carson d. Waselenchuk - Semis: Crowther, Rojas
Salt Lake City Pro-Am Final: Croft d. R. Carson - Semis: Beltran, Vanderson
San Diego Open Final: Rojas d. Beltran - Semis: T. Carson, R. Carson
Florida Spring Break Pro-Am Final: Waselenchuk d. Beltran - Semis: Rojas, Croft
Party with the Pros Final: Waselenchuk d. R. Carson - Semis: Rojas, Croft
Stockton Pro/Am Final: Waselenchuk d. Beltran - Semis: Crowther, R. Carson
Ektelon Nationals Final: Waselenchuk d. Beltran - Semis: Gutierrez, R. Carson
The 2011-12 IRT Statistical Abstract
Total matches played: 498
Percentage of 3 game matches: 55.4 (276 of 498)
Percentage of 4 game matches: 24.1 (120)
Percentage of 5 game matches: 15.1 (75)
Percentage of matches that were defaults or data was incomplete: 5.4 (27)
Most points for in a victory: 54 - (i) Polo Gutierrez d. Ben Croft, 9-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-13, 12-10, in the NYC Pro-Am & (ii) Jose Rojas d. Javier Moreno, 10-12, 11-5, 11-3, 11-13, 11-7 in the US Open
Most points scored in a loss: 51 - (i) James Swift in loss to Felipe Munoz, 3-11, 13-11, 11-3, 13-15, 13-11, in the Stockton Pro-Am & (ii) Cole Burr in loss to Ruben Gonzalez, 5-11, 13-11, 11-8, 5-11, 12-10, in the Salt Lake City Pro-Am
Most points in a 5 game match: 104 - Felipe Munoz d. James Swift, 3-11, 13-11, 11-3, 13-15, 13-11, in the Stockton Pro-Am
Most points in a 4 game match: 86 - Brandon Cortese d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 14-12 in the Red Swaine Shootout
Most points in a 3 game match: 65 - Anthony Herrera d. Mauricio Zelada, 14-12, 11-9, 11-8, in the NYC Pro-Am
Largest margin of victory 5 game match: 22 by Ben Croft over James Slamko, 11-4, 9-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-0 at the Seattle Pro-Am
Largest margin of victory 4 game match: 23 by (i) Juan Herrera over Tyler Otto, 9-11, 11-4, 11-1, 11-3, in the Kansas City Pro-Am (ii) Teobaldo Fumero over Arthur Schmeiser, 9-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-0, in the Kansas City Pro-Am, & (iii) Ben Croft over Arthur Schmeiser, 11-3, 11-4, 10-12, 11-1 in the Party for the Pros
Largest margin of victory 3 game match: 33 by Hiroshi Shimizu over Ron Briggs, 11-0, 11-0, 11-1 in the US Open
Smallest margin of victory 5 game match: -9 by Tony Carson in win over Mike Green, 1-11, 4-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-7 in the NYC Pro-Am
2nd smallest margin of victory 5 game match: -6 by Javier Moreno in win over Chris Crowther, 11-7, 1-11, 11-8, 1-11, 11-4, in the Kansas City Open
Smallest margin of victory 4 game match: -2 by Agustin Tristan over Javier Moreno, 1-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-7, in NYC Pro-Am
Smallest margin of victory 3 game match: 6 by Ben Croft over Josh Tucker, 11-8, 11-9, 12-10, in the Ektelon Nationals
Waselenchuk dominant... when playing
Kane Waselenchuk continued to dominate men's pro racquetball last season, when he was playing. But unfortunately for him - and all IRT fans - he had to retire during the final of the New York City Pro-Am and then missed the following two events. Waselenchuk's now on the other side of 30, so he's likely closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but he's still playing a very high level when he's able.
Consider that in the last four seasons Waselenchuk's entered 38 tournaments and won 34 of them. Of the four he didn't win, he defaulted due to injury in three (including the San Diego Open last season, when he was a late withdrawal, but the draw couldn't be changed) and only lost once. Curiously, that wasn't in five games or in a final, as Alvaro Beltran beat Waselenchuk in the semi-finals of the 2009 California Open in four games.
Given that record, it's clear who's the number 1 men's racquetball player in the world.
Who's number 2?
But who's number 2? Rocky Carson finished 2nd in the season ending rankings, and he did have a good season, winning one event and being runner-up in six others - more than anyone else. However, Carson's win was due to Waselenchuk's injury default, and in the events Waselenchuk missed, Carson wasn't the winner. Jose Rojas and Ben Croft were.
Yet it was Alvaro Beltran who had the best record of the over the last few events of the season, as he was runner-up in four of the last five events. Beltran seems to be fully recovered from the knee injury he suffered a few years back, but he'll be 34 next month so age isn't on his side. Carson is also over 30, while Croft and Rojas are 27 and 22, respectively.
Thus, this season's battle for the #2 spot could be quite heated.
Who else?
In last season's preview, we wrote that "it would be a shock" if "Tony Carson made an IRT semi-final," so consider us shocked that Carson did reach a semi-final, as he got to the semis in San Diego. Good on him for doing that.
Only one other player reached the semis outside of the top 8: Polo Gutierrez. We'd be happy to see more players get to the semis or farther, especially if it helps put some pressure on Waselenchuk to excel. But it's not clear which, if any, of the players outside the top 8 are going to have a break through this season.
Let's play ball
We're sure there will be some surprises this season (our fingers are crossed that they are good surprises), and we hope that you'll follow along with The Racquetball Blog as we find out just what they are.
Game on!
Follow the bouncing ball....
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