Paola Longoria of Mexico has now won more gold medals in singles at the Pan American Championships than any other player, as she won her 5th gold in Cali, Colombia Saturday. She's also won gold twice in doubles with Samantha Salas, and her overall total of seven gold is second all time for a player at Pan Ams behind only Jackie Paraiso with ten (1 singles & 9 doubles).
American Sharon Jackson won gold in her first appearance for the USA. She's the first American to win gold as a rookie since Ben Croft did so in 2009 at the Pan American Championships in men's doubles playing with Mitch Williams.
Jackson won gold in women's doubles with Rhonda Rajsich, and it was Rajsich's fourth career gold medal at the Pan American Championships, putting her fifth all time in the overall gold medal count for women behind Paraiso, Longoria, Michelle Gould (USA; 6, 4 in singles 2 in doubles) and Cheryl Gudinas (USA; 5, 4 in singles, 1 in doubles).
Jackson also medalled in singles, as she was one of the bronze medalists.
Like Jackson, Marco Rojas was an American rookie, and he earned silver medals in singles and doubles.
By our count, Jackson and Rojas are the 90th and 91st players to play for Team USA. Jansen Allen was playing for Team USA for the third time, and Rajsich's appearance was her 14th in the red, white and blue. Rajsich's first was back in 2002 at the Pan Am Championships, when she played singles and doubles, with Kim Russell.
The next international racquetball competition will be the 2013 World Games which will also be held in Cali, Colombia from July 25 to August 4. The racquetball competition is taking place July 26-28.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles
GOLD - Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)
SILVER - Marco Rojas (USA)
BRONZE - Carlo Keller (Bolivia) and Felipe Mercado (Bolivia)
Women's Singles
GOLD - Paola Longoria (Mexico)
SILVER - Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
BRONZE - Sharon Jackson (USA) and Samantha Salas (Mexico)
Men's Doubles
GOLD - Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)
SILVER - Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA)
BRONZE - Sebastian Franco & Juan Herrera (Colombia) and Felipe Camacho Martin & Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica)
Women's Doubles
GOLD - Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
SILVER - Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico)
BRONZE - Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) and Jenny Daza & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia)
Medal Count by Country
Mexico - 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
USA - 1 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze
Bolivia - 0 Gold, 0 Silver, 3 Bronze
Colombia - 0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze
Chile - 0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze
Costa Rica - 0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
PARC - 2013 Pan American Championships - Gutierrez & Moreno defeat Allen & Rojas
The veteran Mexican team of Polo Gutierrez and Javier Moreno won men's doubles at the 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia defeating the young American team of Jansen Allen and Marco Rojas, 15-6, 10-15, 11-8. The gold medal is the second for Gutierrez and Moreno as a team at the Pan Am Championships, as they previously won in 2011. Moreno also won doubles in 2008 with Gilberto Meija.
With the win, Gutierrez becomes the second man to win both singles and doubles at the Pan Am Championships in the same year. American Bill Sell did it first in 1988. Overall, Gutierrez is the fourth man to win gold in both singles and doubles at the Pan Am Championships along with Mike Green (Canada), Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) and Sell.
In game one, the teams were close with the Mexicans only leading by one at 5-4. But they went on a roll to comfortably take the first game, 15-6.
Game two was similar, as the teams were close early, tied at 3-3 and then 7-6 in the Americans favour. The Americans build on that advantage and went out to a 14-7 lead.
But they had trouble finishing, as the Mexican veterans held them at 14 for six game points, narrowing the lead to 14-10. Indeed, it looked like the Mexicans might come back and win in two games, but eventually Americans did close out the second game, 15-10, to force a tie-breaker.
In the tie-breaker, the teams were again close early, as they were tied at 3-3, and then 7-6 with Mexico holding the advantage.
Gutierrez and Moreno pushed that to 10-6, but the Americans stopped them on the first match point and got two points of their own to make it 10-8. But the Mexicans finished off the match on their next opportunity to win the gold in the breaker, 11-8.
Rojas played the left side with Allen on the right. Rojas used lob serves, often into the middle against the lefty-righty team of Moreno and Gutierrez, while Allen hit off speed z serves to Gutierrez on the right side.
It was an effective strategy that in the end came up just a little bit short.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Doubles - Final
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA), 15-6, 10-15, 11-8
Follow the bouncing ball....
With the win, Gutierrez becomes the second man to win both singles and doubles at the Pan Am Championships in the same year. American Bill Sell did it first in 1988. Overall, Gutierrez is the fourth man to win gold in both singles and doubles at the Pan Am Championships along with Mike Green (Canada), Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) and Sell.
In game one, the teams were close with the Mexicans only leading by one at 5-4. But they went on a roll to comfortably take the first game, 15-6.
Game two was similar, as the teams were close early, tied at 3-3 and then 7-6 in the Americans favour. The Americans build on that advantage and went out to a 14-7 lead.
But they had trouble finishing, as the Mexican veterans held them at 14 for six game points, narrowing the lead to 14-10. Indeed, it looked like the Mexicans might come back and win in two games, but eventually Americans did close out the second game, 15-10, to force a tie-breaker.
In the tie-breaker, the teams were again close early, as they were tied at 3-3, and then 7-6 with Mexico holding the advantage.
Gutierrez and Moreno pushed that to 10-6, but the Americans stopped them on the first match point and got two points of their own to make it 10-8. But the Mexicans finished off the match on their next opportunity to win the gold in the breaker, 11-8.
Rojas played the left side with Allen on the right. Rojas used lob serves, often into the middle against the lefty-righty team of Moreno and Gutierrez, while Allen hit off speed z serves to Gutierrez on the right side.
It was an effective strategy that in the end came up just a little bit short.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Doubles - Final
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA), 15-6, 10-15, 11-8
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC - 2013 Pan American Championships - Jackson & Rajsich upset Longoria & Salas
Americans Sharon Jackson and Rhonda Rajsich upset two time defending champions Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas of Mexico, 15-5, 15-7, to win gold in women's doubles at the 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia. Longoria and Salas were undefeated in the past two years, winning gold at the 2011 Pan Am Games, 2012 World Championships as well as the past two Pan Am Championships.
The women's final was remarkable not just for who won, but also for how the match went. Jackson and Rajsich jumped out to a big lead in game at 7-0, and cruised to go up one game on Longoria and Salas.
The Mexicans scored the first two points of game two, but momentum quickly shifted back to the Americans, who won eight straight points to go up 8-2. The Mexicans were able to hold the Americans at eight, but they could only get a point themselves, making it 8-3, before the Americans scored again.
From then on the Americans never let the lead get closer than six points, as they completed the upset in two straight games.
Jackson was representing the USA for the first time, so it's her first gold medal. Veteran Rajsich won gold for the second time in women's doubles at Pan Am Championships, having previously done so in 2007 with Janel Tisinger.
Rajsich has now won four Pan American Championship gold medals, as she won singles in 2007 and 2011 to go with her two gold in doubles.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Women's Doubles - Final
Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico), 15-5, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
The women's final was remarkable not just for who won, but also for how the match went. Jackson and Rajsich jumped out to a big lead in game at 7-0, and cruised to go up one game on Longoria and Salas.
The Mexicans scored the first two points of game two, but momentum quickly shifted back to the Americans, who won eight straight points to go up 8-2. The Mexicans were able to hold the Americans at eight, but they could only get a point themselves, making it 8-3, before the Americans scored again.
From then on the Americans never let the lead get closer than six points, as they completed the upset in two straight games.
Jackson was representing the USA for the first time, so it's her first gold medal. Veteran Rajsich won gold for the second time in women's doubles at Pan Am Championships, having previously done so in 2007 with Janel Tisinger.
Rajsich has now won four Pan American Championship gold medals, as she won singles in 2007 and 2011 to go with her two gold in doubles.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Women's Doubles - Final
Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico), 15-5, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC - 2013 Pan American Championships - Mexican golden in singles
Paola Longoria and Polo Gutierrez won gold in women's and men's singles, respectively, at the 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia on Saturday. Longoria won for the 5th time and second consecutive time, as she defeated American Rhonda Rajsich in the final, 15-5, 15-6. Longoria previously won Pan Am Championship gold in 2006, 2008, 2010, as well as 2012.
Gutierrez defeated American Marco Rojas, 15-10, 15-3, in the men's final to become the third Mexican man to win gold at the Pan Am Championships. Alvero Beltran won gold in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and Daniel De La Rosa did so in 2011.
Gutierrez and Rojas were close in the first game, as they were tied at 7-7 and 9-9. Then Gutierrez pulled ahead to 13-9, and held off Rojas to win game one.
Game two wasn't close, as Gutierrez went out to a 7-0 lead and cruised from there to take the match in two straight games.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles - Final
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Marco Rojas (USA), 15-10, 15-3
Women's Singles - Final
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-5, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball....
Gutierrez defeated American Marco Rojas, 15-10, 15-3, in the men's final to become the third Mexican man to win gold at the Pan Am Championships. Alvero Beltran won gold in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and Daniel De La Rosa did so in 2011.
Gutierrez and Rojas were close in the first game, as they were tied at 7-7 and 9-9. Then Gutierrez pulled ahead to 13-9, and held off Rojas to win game one.
Game two wasn't close, as Gutierrez went out to a 7-0 lead and cruised from there to take the match in two straight games.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles - Final
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Marco Rojas (USA), 15-10, 15-3
Women's Singles - Final
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-5, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, March 29, 2013
PARC - 2013 Pan American Championships - Mexico & USA doubles finals
Mexico and the USA will face off for gold in both men's and women's doubles finals at the 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia, as the two country's teams won their respective semi-final matches on Friday.
Mexicans Javier Moreno and Polo Gutierrez beat Colombians Sebastian Franco and Juan Herrera, 15-6, 15-9 in one semi-final while Americans Jansen Allen and Marco Rojas defeated Felipe Camacho Martin and Joaquin Solera of Costa Rica, 15-10, 15-11, in the other semi.
In the women's semi-finals, Mexicans Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas defeated Chileans Angela Grisar and Carla Muñoz, 15-13, 15-1, while Americans Sharon Jackson and Rhonda Rajsich beat Bolivians Jenny Daza and Adriana Riveros, 15-9, 15-6.
Thus, it will be Mexico v. USA for gold Saturday, and lately, Mexico has ruled the day. But the teams are different. On the men's side, Rojas and Allen haven't played together at this level and the left-hander Moreno usually plays with Alvaro Beltran.
The American women's team is new also, as Jackson - like Rojas - is an international rookie. She's played well, but Jackson and Rajsich are facing the reigning two time Pan Am Champions in Longoria and Salas, who haven't lost together since they won the 2011 Pan Am Championships.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is streaming matches live from Cali via its website.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Sebastian Franco & Juan Herrera (Colombia), 15-6, 15-9
Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA) d. Felipe Camacho Martin & Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica), 15-10, 15-11
Men's Doubles - Final
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA)
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-13, 15-1
Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Jenny Daza & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia), 15-9, 15-6
Women's Doubles - Final
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Mexicans Javier Moreno and Polo Gutierrez beat Colombians Sebastian Franco and Juan Herrera, 15-6, 15-9 in one semi-final while Americans Jansen Allen and Marco Rojas defeated Felipe Camacho Martin and Joaquin Solera of Costa Rica, 15-10, 15-11, in the other semi.
In the women's semi-finals, Mexicans Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas defeated Chileans Angela Grisar and Carla Muñoz, 15-13, 15-1, while Americans Sharon Jackson and Rhonda Rajsich beat Bolivians Jenny Daza and Adriana Riveros, 15-9, 15-6.
Thus, it will be Mexico v. USA for gold Saturday, and lately, Mexico has ruled the day. But the teams are different. On the men's side, Rojas and Allen haven't played together at this level and the left-hander Moreno usually plays with Alvaro Beltran.
The American women's team is new also, as Jackson - like Rojas - is an international rookie. She's played well, but Jackson and Rajsich are facing the reigning two time Pan Am Champions in Longoria and Salas, who haven't lost together since they won the 2011 Pan Am Championships.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is streaming matches live from Cali via its website.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Sebastian Franco & Juan Herrera (Colombia), 15-6, 15-9
Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA) d. Felipe Camacho Martin & Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica), 15-10, 15-11
Men's Doubles - Final
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA)
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-13, 15-1
Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Jenny Daza & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia), 15-9, 15-6
Women's Doubles - Final
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC - 2013 Pan American Championships - Re-matches
Re-matches will be the order of the day for the singles finals at the 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia. On the men's side, American rookie Marco Rojas - current U18 Junior World Champion - will try to beat Mexican veteran Polo Gutierrez for a second time in the tournament as they faced off in the preliminary round, when Rojas squeaked out an 11-10 tie-breaker win.
To reach the semi-finals, Rojas defeated Bolivian Felipe Mercado, 15-12, 15-8, while Gutierrez beat Bolivian Carlos Keller, 15-3, 15-12.
On the women's side, there's also a rematch, but it's one that has happened regularly over the past few years, as Paola Longoria of Mexico and Rhonda Rajsich of the USA will play for gold in the women's final. Longoria and Rajsich are the #1 and #2 players on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) and have met in almost every pro tour final over the past three women's pro seasons.
In the semis, Longoria beat American Sharon Jackson, 15-8, 15-3, and Rajsich defeated Samantha Salas of Mexico, 15-9, 15-11.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is streaming matches live from Cali via its website.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
Marco Rojas (USA) d. Felipe Mercado (Bolivia), 15-12, 15-8
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Carlo Keller (Bolivia), 15-3, 15-12
Men's Singles - Final
Marco Rojas (USA) v. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Sharon Jackson (USA), 15-8, 15-3
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Samantha Salas (Mexico), 15-9, 15-11
Women's Singles - Final
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
Follow the bouncing ball....
To reach the semi-finals, Rojas defeated Bolivian Felipe Mercado, 15-12, 15-8, while Gutierrez beat Bolivian Carlos Keller, 15-3, 15-12.
On the women's side, there's also a rematch, but it's one that has happened regularly over the past few years, as Paola Longoria of Mexico and Rhonda Rajsich of the USA will play for gold in the women's final. Longoria and Rajsich are the #1 and #2 players on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) and have met in almost every pro tour final over the past three women's pro seasons.
In the semis, Longoria beat American Sharon Jackson, 15-8, 15-3, and Rajsich defeated Samantha Salas of Mexico, 15-9, 15-11.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is streaming matches live from Cali via its website.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
Marco Rojas (USA) d. Felipe Mercado (Bolivia), 15-12, 15-8
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Carlo Keller (Bolivia), 15-3, 15-12
Men's Singles - Final
Marco Rojas (USA) v. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Sharon Jackson (USA), 15-8, 15-3
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Samantha Salas (Mexico), 15-9, 15-11
Women's Singles - Final
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC - 2013 Pan American Championships - Doubles results
They are down the semi-finals in the doubles competitions at the 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia, and there have been no real surprises so far.
Mexicans Javier Moreno and Polo Gutierrez got through to the semis, but did need a tie-breaker to defeat the Bolivian team of Kadim Carrasco and Ricardo Monroy, winning 15-7, 9-15, 11-0. They will face Colombians Sebastian Franco and Juan Herrera in the semis, as the Colombians beat the Venezuela team of Cesar Castillo and Cesar Castillo, 15-6, 7-15, 11-3.
It's the USA versus Costa Rica on the other side of the draw, as Jansen Allen and Marco Rojas (USA) defeated Edwin Galicia and Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-10 in the quarters, and Felipe Camacho Martin and Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica) beat Daniel Maggi and Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-12, 6-15, 11-8.
While three of the four men's quarter-final matches went tiebreaker, none of the women's quarters did. Mexican Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas beat Costa Ricans Melania Sauma Masis & Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica), 15-5, 15-2. Next up for the Mexicans will be Chileans Angela Grisar and Carla Muñoz, who defeated Maria Cespedes and Claudine Garcia (Dominican Rep.), 15-6, 15-13, in the quarters.
America and Bolivia face off in the other semi-final, as in the quarters Americans Sharon Jackson and Rhonda Rajsich defeated Colombians Cristina Amaya and Carolina Gomez, 15-13, 15-3, while Bolivians Jenny Daza and Adriana Riveros won against Venezuelans Paola Guerra and Mariana Tobon, 15-3, 15-5.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is streaming matches live from Cali via its website.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) BYE
Kadim Carrasco & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) d. Juan Martinez III & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico), 15-7, 15-1
Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) BYE
Sebastian Franco & Juan Herrera (Colombia) BYE
Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) BYE
Felipe Camacho Martin & Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica) d. Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-5, 15-3
Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) d. Santiago Canedo & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-3, 15-11
Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA) BYE
Men's Doubles - Quarter-finals
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Kadim Carrasco & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia), 15-7, 9-15, 11-0
Sebastian Franco & Juan Herrera (Colombia) d. Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-6, 7-15, 11-3
Felipe Camacho Martin & Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica) d. Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-12, 6-15, 11-8
Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA) d. Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-10
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Sebastian Franco & Juan Herrera (Colombia)
Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA) v. Felipe Camacho Martin & Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica)
Women's Doubles - Round of 16
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) BYE
Melania Sauma Masis & Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica) d. Natalia Corti & Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina), 15-9, 15-6
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) BYE
Maria Cespedes & Claudine Garcia (Dominican Rep.) BYE
Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) BYE
Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Ana Gabriela Martinez & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-6
Paola Guerra & Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) d. Johan Collazo & Raquel Perez (Puerto Rico), 15-7, 15-0
Jenny Daza & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) BYE
Women's Doubles - Quarter-finals
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Melania Sauma Masis & Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica), 15-5, 15-2
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Maria Cespedes & Claudine Garcia (Dominican Rep.), 15-6, 15-13
Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-13, 15-3
Jenny Daza & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) d. Paola Guerra & Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-5
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Jenny Daza & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Mexicans Javier Moreno and Polo Gutierrez got through to the semis, but did need a tie-breaker to defeat the Bolivian team of Kadim Carrasco and Ricardo Monroy, winning 15-7, 9-15, 11-0. They will face Colombians Sebastian Franco and Juan Herrera in the semis, as the Colombians beat the Venezuela team of Cesar Castillo and Cesar Castillo, 15-6, 7-15, 11-3.
It's the USA versus Costa Rica on the other side of the draw, as Jansen Allen and Marco Rojas (USA) defeated Edwin Galicia and Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-10 in the quarters, and Felipe Camacho Martin and Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica) beat Daniel Maggi and Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-12, 6-15, 11-8.
While three of the four men's quarter-final matches went tiebreaker, none of the women's quarters did. Mexican Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas beat Costa Ricans Melania Sauma Masis & Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica), 15-5, 15-2. Next up for the Mexicans will be Chileans Angela Grisar and Carla Muñoz, who defeated Maria Cespedes and Claudine Garcia (Dominican Rep.), 15-6, 15-13, in the quarters.
America and Bolivia face off in the other semi-final, as in the quarters Americans Sharon Jackson and Rhonda Rajsich defeated Colombians Cristina Amaya and Carolina Gomez, 15-13, 15-3, while Bolivians Jenny Daza and Adriana Riveros won against Venezuelans Paola Guerra and Mariana Tobon, 15-3, 15-5.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is streaming matches live from Cali via its website.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) BYE
Kadim Carrasco & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) d. Juan Martinez III & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico), 15-7, 15-1
Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) BYE
Sebastian Franco & Juan Herrera (Colombia) BYE
Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) BYE
Felipe Camacho Martin & Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica) d. Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-5, 15-3
Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) d. Santiago Canedo & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-3, 15-11
Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA) BYE
Men's Doubles - Quarter-finals
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Kadim Carrasco & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia), 15-7, 9-15, 11-0
Sebastian Franco & Juan Herrera (Colombia) d. Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-6, 7-15, 11-3
Felipe Camacho Martin & Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica) d. Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-12, 6-15, 11-8
Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA) d. Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-10
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Sebastian Franco & Juan Herrera (Colombia)
Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA) v. Felipe Camacho Martin & Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica)
Women's Doubles - Round of 16
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) BYE
Melania Sauma Masis & Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica) d. Natalia Corti & Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina), 15-9, 15-6
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) BYE
Maria Cespedes & Claudine Garcia (Dominican Rep.) BYE
Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) BYE
Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Ana Gabriela Martinez & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-6
Paola Guerra & Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) d. Johan Collazo & Raquel Perez (Puerto Rico), 15-7, 15-0
Jenny Daza & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) BYE
Women's Doubles - Quarter-finals
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Melania Sauma Masis & Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica), 15-5, 15-2
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Maria Cespedes & Claudine Garcia (Dominican Rep.), 15-6, 15-13
Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-13, 15-3
Jenny Daza & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) d. Paola Guerra & Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-5
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Jenny Daza & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia)
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC - 2013 Pan American Championships - Semi-finals are set
The top four women's seeds reached the semi-finals at the 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia, with wins in the quarter finals on Thursday. Top seed Paola Longoria of Mexico and 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich of the USA both won in two straight games, Longoria beat Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-4, 15-2 and Rajsich defeated Adriana Riveros (Bolivia), 15-5, 15-11.
However, the 3rd and 4th women's seeds both needed tie-breakers to win their quarter-final matches. Fourth seed American Sharon Jackson, playing in first international event, had a close match with veteran Angela Grisar of Chile, winning 15-12, 12-15, 11-9.
Third seed Samantha Salas of Mexico also had a narrow tie-breaker win over Bolivian Jenny Daza, 14-15, 15-1, 11-8.
On the men's side it was top seed Marco Rojas of the USA who needed a tie-breaker to advance, as Cesar Castillo of Venezuela forced Rojas to go the distance in order to win. Rojas pulled it out, 13-15, 15-6, 11-3.
Rojas will face Bolivian Felipe Mercado in the semi-finals, as Mercado defeated Argentine Shai Manzuri, 15-8, 15-8.
On the other side, Mexican veteran Polo Gutierrez will face off against Bolivian Carlos Keller in the semi-finals, as in the quarter-finals Gutierrez beat Felipe Camacho Martin (Costa Rica), 15-0, 15-8 and Keller defeated Daniel Maggi (Argentina), 15-0, 15-0.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is streaming matches live from Cali via its website.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles - Quarter finals
Marco Rojas (USA) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 13-15, 15-6, 11-3
Felipe Mercado (Bolivia) d. Shai Manzuri (Argentina), 15-8, 15-8
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Felipe Camacho Martin (Costa Rica), 15-0, 15-8
Carlo Keller (Bolivia) d. Daniel Maggi (Argentina), 15-0, 15-0
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
Marco Rojas (USA) v. Felipe Mercado (Bolivia)
Carlo Keller (Bolivia) v. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)
Women's Singles - Quarter finals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-4, 15-2
Sharon Jackson (USA) d. Angela Grisar (Chile), 15-12, 12-15, 11-9
Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 14-15, 15-1, 11-8
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia), 15-5, 15-11
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Sharon Jackson (USA)
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Samantha Salas (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
However, the 3rd and 4th women's seeds both needed tie-breakers to win their quarter-final matches. Fourth seed American Sharon Jackson, playing in first international event, had a close match with veteran Angela Grisar of Chile, winning 15-12, 12-15, 11-9.
Third seed Samantha Salas of Mexico also had a narrow tie-breaker win over Bolivian Jenny Daza, 14-15, 15-1, 11-8.
On the men's side it was top seed Marco Rojas of the USA who needed a tie-breaker to advance, as Cesar Castillo of Venezuela forced Rojas to go the distance in order to win. Rojas pulled it out, 13-15, 15-6, 11-3.
Rojas will face Bolivian Felipe Mercado in the semi-finals, as Mercado defeated Argentine Shai Manzuri, 15-8, 15-8.
On the other side, Mexican veteran Polo Gutierrez will face off against Bolivian Carlos Keller in the semi-finals, as in the quarter-finals Gutierrez beat Felipe Camacho Martin (Costa Rica), 15-0, 15-8 and Keller defeated Daniel Maggi (Argentina), 15-0, 15-0.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is streaming matches live from Cali via its website.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles - Quarter finals
Marco Rojas (USA) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 13-15, 15-6, 11-3
Felipe Mercado (Bolivia) d. Shai Manzuri (Argentina), 15-8, 15-8
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Felipe Camacho Martin (Costa Rica), 15-0, 15-8
Carlo Keller (Bolivia) d. Daniel Maggi (Argentina), 15-0, 15-0
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
Marco Rojas (USA) v. Felipe Mercado (Bolivia)
Carlo Keller (Bolivia) v. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)
Women's Singles - Quarter finals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-4, 15-2
Sharon Jackson (USA) d. Angela Grisar (Chile), 15-12, 12-15, 11-9
Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 14-15, 15-1, 11-8
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia), 15-5, 15-11
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Sharon Jackson (USA)
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Samantha Salas (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
PARC - 2013 Pan American Championships - Elimination round begins
The elimination rounds began today at the 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia, and so far the results are mostly as expected. One exception to that could be Bolivian Jenny Daza's win over Colombian Cristina Amaya, 7-15, 15-4, 11-6, in the Round of 16, as Amaya's the 11th ranked player on the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT).
Another close match on the women's side was between Costa Rican Melania Sauma Masis and Guatemalan Maria Rene Rodriguez, which went the Costa Rican's way in a tie-breaker, 15-13, 10-15, 11-7.
All four of the top women's seeds - Paola Longoria (Mexico), Rhonda Rajsich (USA), Samantha Salas (Mexico), and Sharon Jackson (USA) - have all advanced to the quarter finals.
However, Jackson will be in tough in the quarters as she faces former top 4 women's pro Angela Grisar of Chile with the winner advancing to the semi-finals against either Longoria or Carolina Gomez of Colombia.
No upsets in the first round of men's singles play, and only once match went to a tie-breaker as Daniel Maggi (Argentina) beat Santiago Canedo (Chile), 15-8, 12-15, 11-1.
But in the Round of 16, Felipe Mercado of Bolivia upset American Jansen Allen, 15-13, 6-15, 11-9, to move on to the quarter finals. Mercado will play Shai Manzuri (Argentina) who beat Luis Perez (Dominican Rep.), 15-5, 15-11 in the 16s.
Also, in the 16s, Polo Gutierrez won the Mexican showdown with Javier Moreno, 15-12, 15-12.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is streaming matches live from Cali via its website.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Marco Rojas (USA) BYE
Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Rep.) d. Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico), 15-4, 15-3
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-9, 15-7
Francisco Gomez (Colombia) BYE
Luis Perez (Dominican Rep.) BYE
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-7
Jansen Allen (USA) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 15-2, 15-2
Felipe Mercado (Bolivia) BYE
Javier Moreno (Mexico) BYE
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 15-6, 15-4
Raul Banegas (Honduras) v. Bernardo Zamora (Nicaragua), 15-0, 15-0
Felipe Camacho Martin (Costa Rica) BYE
Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica) BYE
Daniel Maggi (Argentina) d. Santiago Canedo (Chile), 15-8, 12-15, 11-1
Juan Martinez III (Puerto Rico) d. Roberto Santander (Venezuela), 15-11, 15-5
Carlo Keller (Bolivia) v. BYE
Men's Singles - Round of 16
Marco Rojas (USA) d. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Rep.), 15-7, 15-12
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) d. Francisco Gomez (Colombia), 6-15, 15-13, 11-9
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Rep.), 15-5, 15-11
Felipe Mercado (Bolivia) d. Jansen Allen (USA), 15-13, 6-15, 11-9
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Javier Moreno (Mexico), 15-12, 15-12
Felipe Camacho Martin (Costa Rica) d. Raul Banegas (Honduras), 15-8, 15-5
Daniel Maggi (Argentina) d. Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica), 9-15, 15-10, 11-8
Carlo Keller (Bolivia) d. Juan Martinez III (Puerto Rico), 15-5, 15-3
Men's Singles - Quarter finals
Marco Rojas (USA) v. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela)
Felipe Mercado (Bolivia) v. Shai Manzuri (Argentina)
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Felipe Camacho Martin (Costa Rica)
Carlo Keller (Bolivia) v. Daniel Maggi (Argentina)
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Paola Longoria (Mexico) BYE
Ana Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Cecilia Cerqutti (Argentina), 13-15, 15-10, 11-2
Carolina Gomez (Col) d. Dafne Macrino (Argentina), 15-3, 15-1
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Rep.) BYE
Angela Grisar (Chile) BYE
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Diana Maura (Panama), 15-2, 15-8
Melania Sauma Masis (Costa Rica) d. Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-13, 10-15, 11-7
Sharon Jackson (USA) BYE
Samantha Salas (Mexico) BYE
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) d. Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica), 15-3, 15-3
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Martha Cañellas (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-3
Cristina Amaya (Col) BYE
Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) BYE
Claudine Garcia (Dom) d. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-3
Disney Linares Barreras (Cuba) d. Paola Guerra (Venezuela), 15-9, 15-9
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) BYE
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Ana Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-1
Carolina Gomez (Colombia) d. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Rep.), 15-6, 15-9
Angela Grisar (Chile) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-13, 15-9
Sharon Jackson (USA) d. Melania Sauma Masis (Costa Rica), 15-12, 15-9
Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-5
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya (Col), 7-15, 15-4, 11-6
Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) d. Claudine Garcia (Dominican Rep.), 15-8, 15-14
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Disney Linares Barreras (Cuba), 15-2, 15-5
Women's Singles - Quarter finals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Carolina Gomez (Colombia)
Sharon Jackson (USA) v. Angela Grisar (Chile)
Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Another close match on the women's side was between Costa Rican Melania Sauma Masis and Guatemalan Maria Rene Rodriguez, which went the Costa Rican's way in a tie-breaker, 15-13, 10-15, 11-7.
All four of the top women's seeds - Paola Longoria (Mexico), Rhonda Rajsich (USA), Samantha Salas (Mexico), and Sharon Jackson (USA) - have all advanced to the quarter finals.
However, Jackson will be in tough in the quarters as she faces former top 4 women's pro Angela Grisar of Chile with the winner advancing to the semi-finals against either Longoria or Carolina Gomez of Colombia.
No upsets in the first round of men's singles play, and only once match went to a tie-breaker as Daniel Maggi (Argentina) beat Santiago Canedo (Chile), 15-8, 12-15, 11-1.
But in the Round of 16, Felipe Mercado of Bolivia upset American Jansen Allen, 15-13, 6-15, 11-9, to move on to the quarter finals. Mercado will play Shai Manzuri (Argentina) who beat Luis Perez (Dominican Rep.), 15-5, 15-11 in the 16s.
Also, in the 16s, Polo Gutierrez won the Mexican showdown with Javier Moreno, 15-12, 15-12.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is streaming matches live from Cali via its website.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Marco Rojas (USA) BYE
Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Rep.) d. Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico), 15-4, 15-3
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-9, 15-7
Francisco Gomez (Colombia) BYE
Luis Perez (Dominican Rep.) BYE
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-7
Jansen Allen (USA) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 15-2, 15-2
Felipe Mercado (Bolivia) BYE
Javier Moreno (Mexico) BYE
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 15-6, 15-4
Raul Banegas (Honduras) v. Bernardo Zamora (Nicaragua), 15-0, 15-0
Felipe Camacho Martin (Costa Rica) BYE
Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica) BYE
Daniel Maggi (Argentina) d. Santiago Canedo (Chile), 15-8, 12-15, 11-1
Juan Martinez III (Puerto Rico) d. Roberto Santander (Venezuela), 15-11, 15-5
Carlo Keller (Bolivia) v. BYE
Men's Singles - Round of 16
Marco Rojas (USA) d. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Rep.), 15-7, 15-12
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) d. Francisco Gomez (Colombia), 6-15, 15-13, 11-9
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Rep.), 15-5, 15-11
Felipe Mercado (Bolivia) d. Jansen Allen (USA), 15-13, 6-15, 11-9
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Javier Moreno (Mexico), 15-12, 15-12
Felipe Camacho Martin (Costa Rica) d. Raul Banegas (Honduras), 15-8, 15-5
Daniel Maggi (Argentina) d. Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica), 9-15, 15-10, 11-8
Carlo Keller (Bolivia) d. Juan Martinez III (Puerto Rico), 15-5, 15-3
Men's Singles - Quarter finals
Marco Rojas (USA) v. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela)
Felipe Mercado (Bolivia) v. Shai Manzuri (Argentina)
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Felipe Camacho Martin (Costa Rica)
Carlo Keller (Bolivia) v. Daniel Maggi (Argentina)
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Paola Longoria (Mexico) BYE
Ana Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Cecilia Cerqutti (Argentina), 13-15, 15-10, 11-2
Carolina Gomez (Col) d. Dafne Macrino (Argentina), 15-3, 15-1
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Rep.) BYE
Angela Grisar (Chile) BYE
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Diana Maura (Panama), 15-2, 15-8
Melania Sauma Masis (Costa Rica) d. Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-13, 10-15, 11-7
Sharon Jackson (USA) BYE
Samantha Salas (Mexico) BYE
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) d. Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica), 15-3, 15-3
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Martha Cañellas (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-3
Cristina Amaya (Col) BYE
Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) BYE
Claudine Garcia (Dom) d. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-3
Disney Linares Barreras (Cuba) d. Paola Guerra (Venezuela), 15-9, 15-9
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) BYE
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Ana Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-1
Carolina Gomez (Colombia) d. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Rep.), 15-6, 15-9
Angela Grisar (Chile) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-13, 15-9
Sharon Jackson (USA) d. Melania Sauma Masis (Costa Rica), 15-12, 15-9
Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-5
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya (Col), 7-15, 15-4, 11-6
Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) d. Claudine Garcia (Dominican Rep.), 15-8, 15-14
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Disney Linares Barreras (Cuba), 15-2, 15-5
Women's Singles - Quarter finals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Carolina Gomez (Colombia)
Sharon Jackson (USA) v. Angela Grisar (Chile)
Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
PARC - 2013 Pan American Championships - Elimination round draws
The elimination draws are out for the 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia, and the elimination round will begin on Wednesday. The men's draw will likely have players from two different countries, as the top American and top Mexican players are on the same sides of the draw.
Mexico's situation is worse, as Javier Moreno and Polo Gutierrez will likely meet in the Round of 16, although Gutierrez needs to defeat Colombian Sebastian Franco to get there; Moreno has a bye in the first round, as he's in the 3rd seed slot.
Marco Rojas - current U18 Junior World Champion - has the 1st seed slot, but Jansen Allen is also on the top side of the draw, so they could meet in the semi-finals. Thus, only one will have a shot at gold.
Carlos Keller of Bolivia - former U18 Junior World Champion - is the 2nd seed and countryman Felipe Mercado is the 4th seed, so while there can't be an all-American or all-Mexican final, an all-Bolivian final is possible.
On the women's side, there's a possibility of two Mexico-USA semi-finals, as the four seeds are Paola Longoria (Mexico) at #1, Rhonda Rajsich (USA) #2, Samantha Salas (Mexico) #3, and Sharon Jackson (USA) #4.
The Mexican teams of Moreno and Gutierrez on the men's side, and Longoria and Salas on the women's side are the clear favourites in the doubles competitions, although in both cases they could face the American teams - Allen and Rojas (men's) and Rajsich and Jackson (women's) - in the final.
No Ecuador team
We mentioned how there's no Canadians in Cali, but overlooked was the fact that there's no team from Ecuador either. Last year, Fernando Rios of Ecuador was the silver medalist. No word on why they aren't there this year.
However, on the positive side Angela Grisar, who'd had a leg injury, is back playing for Chile and Disney Linares Barreras is representing Cuba. It's the first time in a few years that Cuba has had players at the Pan American Championships.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is streaming matches live from Cali via its website.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles
Marco Rojas (USA) BYE
Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico) v. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Rep.)
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) v. Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
Francisco Gomez (Colombia) BYE
Luis Perez (Dominican Rep.) BYE
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) v. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala)
Jansen Allen (USA) v. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala)
Felipe Mercado (Bolivia) BYE
Javier Moreno (Mexico) BYE
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Raul Banegas (Honduras) v. Bernardo Zamora (Nicaragua)
Felipe Camacho Martin (Costa Rica) BYE
Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica) BYE
Santiago Canedo (Chile) v. Daniel Maggi (Argentina)
Juan Martinez III (Puerto Rico) v. Roberto Santander (Venezuela)
Carlo Keller (Bolivia) v. BYE
Men's Doubles
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) BYE
Kadim Carrasco & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) v. Juan Martinez III & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico)
Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) BYE
Sebastian Franco & Juan Herrera (Colombia) BYE
Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) BYE
Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) v. Felipe Camacho Martin & Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica)
Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) v. Santiago Canedo & Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA) BYE
Women's Singles
Paola Longoria (Mexico) BYE
Cecilia Cerqutti (Argentina) v. Ana Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala)
Carolina Gomez (Col) v. Dafne Macrino (Argentina)
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Rep.) BYE
Angela Grisar (Chile) BYE
Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Diana Maura (Panama)
Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Melania Sauma Masis (Costa Rica)
Sharon Jackson (USA) BYE
Samantha Salas (Mexico) BYE
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) v. Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica)
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) v. Martha Cañellas (Puerto Rico)
Cristina Amaya (Col) BYE
Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) BYE
Claudine Garcia (Dom) v. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico)
Paola Guerra (Venezuela) v. Disney Linares Barreras (Cuba)
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) BYE
Women's Doubles
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) BYE
Melania Sauma Masis & Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica) v. Natalia Corti & Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina)
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) BYE
Maria Cespedes & Claudine Garcia (Dominican Rep.) BYE
Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) BYE
Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Ana Gabriela Martinez & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala)
Paola Guerra & Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) v. Johan Collazo & Raquel Perez (Puerto Rico)
Jenny Daza & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Mexico's situation is worse, as Javier Moreno and Polo Gutierrez will likely meet in the Round of 16, although Gutierrez needs to defeat Colombian Sebastian Franco to get there; Moreno has a bye in the first round, as he's in the 3rd seed slot.
Marco Rojas - current U18 Junior World Champion - has the 1st seed slot, but Jansen Allen is also on the top side of the draw, so they could meet in the semi-finals. Thus, only one will have a shot at gold.
Carlos Keller of Bolivia - former U18 Junior World Champion - is the 2nd seed and countryman Felipe Mercado is the 4th seed, so while there can't be an all-American or all-Mexican final, an all-Bolivian final is possible.
On the women's side, there's a possibility of two Mexico-USA semi-finals, as the four seeds are Paola Longoria (Mexico) at #1, Rhonda Rajsich (USA) #2, Samantha Salas (Mexico) #3, and Sharon Jackson (USA) #4.
The Mexican teams of Moreno and Gutierrez on the men's side, and Longoria and Salas on the women's side are the clear favourites in the doubles competitions, although in both cases they could face the American teams - Allen and Rojas (men's) and Rajsich and Jackson (women's) - in the final.
No Ecuador team
We mentioned how there's no Canadians in Cali, but overlooked was the fact that there's no team from Ecuador either. Last year, Fernando Rios of Ecuador was the silver medalist. No word on why they aren't there this year.
However, on the positive side Angela Grisar, who'd had a leg injury, is back playing for Chile and Disney Linares Barreras is representing Cuba. It's the first time in a few years that Cuba has had players at the Pan American Championships.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is streaming matches live from Cali via its website.
2013 Pan American Championships
Cali, Colombia
Men's Singles
Marco Rojas (USA) BYE
Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico) v. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Rep.)
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) v. Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
Francisco Gomez (Colombia) BYE
Luis Perez (Dominican Rep.) BYE
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) v. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala)
Jansen Allen (USA) v. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala)
Felipe Mercado (Bolivia) BYE
Javier Moreno (Mexico) BYE
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Raul Banegas (Honduras) v. Bernardo Zamora (Nicaragua)
Felipe Camacho Martin (Costa Rica) BYE
Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica) BYE
Santiago Canedo (Chile) v. Daniel Maggi (Argentina)
Juan Martinez III (Puerto Rico) v. Roberto Santander (Venezuela)
Carlo Keller (Bolivia) v. BYE
Men's Doubles
Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) BYE
Kadim Carrasco & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) v. Juan Martinez III & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico)
Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) BYE
Sebastian Franco & Juan Herrera (Colombia) BYE
Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) BYE
Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) v. Felipe Camacho Martin & Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica)
Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) v. Santiago Canedo & Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
Jansen Allen & Marco Rojas (USA) BYE
Women's Singles
Paola Longoria (Mexico) BYE
Cecilia Cerqutti (Argentina) v. Ana Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala)
Carolina Gomez (Col) v. Dafne Macrino (Argentina)
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Rep.) BYE
Angela Grisar (Chile) BYE
Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Diana Maura (Panama)
Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Melania Sauma Masis (Costa Rica)
Sharon Jackson (USA) BYE
Samantha Salas (Mexico) BYE
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) v. Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica)
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) v. Martha Cañellas (Puerto Rico)
Cristina Amaya (Col) BYE
Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) BYE
Claudine Garcia (Dom) v. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico)
Paola Guerra (Venezuela) v. Disney Linares Barreras (Cuba)
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) BYE
Women's Doubles
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) BYE
Melania Sauma Masis & Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica) v. Natalia Corti & Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina)
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) BYE
Maria Cespedes & Claudine Garcia (Dominican Rep.) BYE
Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) BYE
Sharon Jackson & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Ana Gabriela Martinez & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala)
Paola Guerra & Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) v. Johan Collazo & Raquel Perez (Puerto Rico)
Jenny Daza & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, March 25, 2013
PARC - 2013 Pan American Championships - Pool play completed
The pool play part of the 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia ended on Monday and there were some results of note. Perhaps the biggest one is Carlos Keller of Bolivia defeating American Jansen Allen, 8-15, 15-8, 11-5.
In men's singles action, Joaquin Solera of Costa Rica came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Colombian Francisco Gomez, 5-15, 15-12, 11-10. Also, Honduran Raul Banegas narrowly beat Francisco Troncoso of Chile, 15-14, 15-14.
Felipe Camacho Martin of Costa Rica defeated Cesar Castillo of Venezuela, 15-13, 13-15, 11-7, and veteran Luis Perez of the Dominican Republic had a bounce back win, as he defeated Colombian Sebastian Franco, 15-11, 15-7.
In two women's doubles matches of note, Jenny Daza and Maria Riveros of Bolivia knocked off Americans Rhonda Rajsich and Sharon Jackson, 6-15, 15-13, 11-7, and Costa Ricans Sauma Masis and Soly Saborio beat Rodriguez and Martinez of Guatemala, 15-14, 15-14.
Finally, in men's doubles Cesar Castro and Cesar Castillo of Venezuela got another win, as they beat Kadim Carrasco and Ricardo Monroy of Bolivia, 15-7, 15-12.
The elimination round begins Wednesday. Matches are being streamed live via the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) website.
Follow the bouncing ball....
In men's singles action, Joaquin Solera of Costa Rica came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Colombian Francisco Gomez, 5-15, 15-12, 11-10. Also, Honduran Raul Banegas narrowly beat Francisco Troncoso of Chile, 15-14, 15-14.
Felipe Camacho Martin of Costa Rica defeated Cesar Castillo of Venezuela, 15-13, 13-15, 11-7, and veteran Luis Perez of the Dominican Republic had a bounce back win, as he defeated Colombian Sebastian Franco, 15-11, 15-7.
In two women's doubles matches of note, Jenny Daza and Maria Riveros of Bolivia knocked off Americans Rhonda Rajsich and Sharon Jackson, 6-15, 15-13, 11-7, and Costa Ricans Sauma Masis and Soly Saborio beat Rodriguez and Martinez of Guatemala, 15-14, 15-14.
Finally, in men's doubles Cesar Castro and Cesar Castillo of Venezuela got another win, as they beat Kadim Carrasco and Ricardo Monroy of Bolivia, 15-7, 15-12.
The elimination round begins Wednesday. Matches are being streamed live via the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) website.
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC - 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia
The 2013 Pan American Championships kicked off on the weekend in Cali, Colombia. Many of the top names are there. On the women's side, there's Mexicans Paola Longoria, last year's gold medalist, and Samantha Salas, American Rhonda Rajsich, and Chilean Angela Grisar.
On the men's side, Polo Gutierrez and Javier Moreno are representing Mexico with Carlos Keller, the U18 Junior World Champion playing for Bolivia. The Americans have Marco Rojas and Jansen Allen playing for them.
There will be a new men's gold medalist, as Canadian Mike Green, who won gold last year in Temuco, Chile, is not there. In fact, no Canadians made the trip to Cali. Word is that the Canadian government issued a travel advisory recommending against travel to Cali. Thus, Racquetball Canada chose not to send a team.
It's the first time Canada has missed a Pan Am Championship since 2000, when the event was cancelled completely due to civil unrest in Bolivia, which was to host the event.
Early Action
The event has three days of pool play prior to an elimination round, and the results from the pool play are used to seed players for the elimination round.
One result of note from the first day of competition was Marco Rojas (USA) defeating Polo Gutierrez (Mexico), 13-15, 15-9, 11-10. The other Saturday results were straight forward, although Javier Moreno (Mexico) needed a tie-breaker to defeat Shai Manzuri (Argentina), 15-12, 6-15, 11-6.
There was a minor upset on Sunday when Chilean Santiago Canedo beat veteran Dominican Republic player Luis Perez, 12-15, 15-8, 11-7.
There were three tight men's doubles matches Sunday, and it doesn't get any tighter than the win Guatemalans Pedro Manolo Sandoval and Edwin Galicia had over Costa Ricans Felipe Camacho Martin and Joaquin Solera, as the Guatemalans won 14-15, 15-14, 11-10.
Americans Rojas and Allen also had needed a 11-10 tie-breaker to defeat Bolivians Kadim Carrasco and Ricardo Monroy, as they won 15-11, 14-15, 11-10.
Finally, Cesar Castro and Cesar Castillo of Venezuela went the distance with Chileans Francisco Troncoso and Canedo, 15-2, 8-15, 11-9.
Pool play wraps up Monday and the elimination round will begin on Wednesday. Matches are being streamed live via the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) website.
Follow the bouncing ball....
On the men's side, Polo Gutierrez and Javier Moreno are representing Mexico with Carlos Keller, the U18 Junior World Champion playing for Bolivia. The Americans have Marco Rojas and Jansen Allen playing for them.
There will be a new men's gold medalist, as Canadian Mike Green, who won gold last year in Temuco, Chile, is not there. In fact, no Canadians made the trip to Cali. Word is that the Canadian government issued a travel advisory recommending against travel to Cali. Thus, Racquetball Canada chose not to send a team.
It's the first time Canada has missed a Pan Am Championship since 2000, when the event was cancelled completely due to civil unrest in Bolivia, which was to host the event.
Early Action
The event has three days of pool play prior to an elimination round, and the results from the pool play are used to seed players for the elimination round.
One result of note from the first day of competition was Marco Rojas (USA) defeating Polo Gutierrez (Mexico), 13-15, 15-9, 11-10. The other Saturday results were straight forward, although Javier Moreno (Mexico) needed a tie-breaker to defeat Shai Manzuri (Argentina), 15-12, 6-15, 11-6.
There was a minor upset on Sunday when Chilean Santiago Canedo beat veteran Dominican Republic player Luis Perez, 12-15, 15-8, 11-7.
There were three tight men's doubles matches Sunday, and it doesn't get any tighter than the win Guatemalans Pedro Manolo Sandoval and Edwin Galicia had over Costa Ricans Felipe Camacho Martin and Joaquin Solera, as the Guatemalans won 14-15, 15-14, 11-10.
Americans Rojas and Allen also had needed a 11-10 tie-breaker to defeat Bolivians Kadim Carrasco and Ricardo Monroy, as they won 15-11, 14-15, 11-10.
Finally, Cesar Castro and Cesar Castillo of Venezuela went the distance with Chileans Francisco Troncoso and Canedo, 15-2, 8-15, 11-9.
Pool play wraps up Monday and the elimination round will begin on Wednesday. Matches are being streamed live via the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) website.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, March 24, 2013
IRT - Carson defeats Waselenchuk to win Mile High Pro-Am
Rocky Carson defeated Kane Waselenchuk for only the second time in their last 21 meetings in the final of an International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event winning the Mile High Pro-Am at the Denver Athletic Club, although like Carson's other victory it was a match that Waselenchuk was unable to finish, as he hurt his right knee in the third game and did not come out to play the fourth, which made the final score line 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, injury forfeit.
Waselenchuk started the match well, going up 5-1 in game one using drive serves that in Denver's mile high altitude were flying across the court. But Carson came back and tied it at 5-5.
Waselenchuk held Carson at 5 and scored six unanswered points to take the game 11-5, as Carson skipped a shot at the end of a long rally to give Waselenchuk the game.
Momentum shifted in game two, as Carson jumped out to an 8-0 lead. Waselenchuk stopped Carson there, and cut the lead to 8-4. But Carson then got two points off drive serves to the left - Waselenchuk's forehand. Waselenchuk was able to score two more points before Carson finished off the game at 11-6.
In game three, Carson was again ahead early at 5-2, when during a long rally Waselenchuk threw himself to the back wall to keep the ball in play. It didn't seem like the ball would make the front wall, but it did, and Carson covered it, hitting a winner cross court to the right only to find that Waselenchuk had stayed down from his get at the back wall.
He stayed down for a few minutes, and then limped off the court without putting any pressure on his right leg. Waselenchuk took several minutes of injury time before continuing the match.
However, it was clear that he wasn't fully fit. Yet Waselenchuk still scored points on Carson and got within three at 7-10. But Carson stopped him with a diving kill shot off a Waselenchuk pinch to the front left corner, and then won the game on the next rally as Waselenchuk made an error on a touch shot.
Waselenchuk made the decision to forfeit the match before game four began. An injury to his right knee kept Waselenchuk out of tournaments earlier this season.
A sad ending to the match, but when Carson was asked afterwards if people can finally say that he has beaten Waselenchuk, Carson said "I don't care what you say." He added "some wins feel better than others."
"Kane is great at being great," said Carson, "so it's my job to make him be great for five games." Sadly for Waselenchuk, he wasn't able to do that on Sunday.
Asked whether his drive serve was stronger in this tournament, Carson attributed it to the altitude, and said Waselenchuk's also seemed to be moving faster. Carson seemed to add a jam serve into the left wall to his game, and said he was just trying to keep his opponents off balance and keep the ball moving. "If you can't kill the ball, then you're playing my game," said Carson.
"It's not always the prettiest racquetball," said Carson.
But as the saying goes, they don't ask how, they only ask how many, and on Sunday Carson's not pretty racquetball style was able to outlast Waselenchuk's more creative style.
The next IRT event is the St Louis Party with the Pros April 11-14.
2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Denver, Colorado
Final
Rocky Carson d. Kane Waselenchuk, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, injury forfeit
Follow the bouncing ball....
Waselenchuk started the match well, going up 5-1 in game one using drive serves that in Denver's mile high altitude were flying across the court. But Carson came back and tied it at 5-5.
Waselenchuk held Carson at 5 and scored six unanswered points to take the game 11-5, as Carson skipped a shot at the end of a long rally to give Waselenchuk the game.
Momentum shifted in game two, as Carson jumped out to an 8-0 lead. Waselenchuk stopped Carson there, and cut the lead to 8-4. But Carson then got two points off drive serves to the left - Waselenchuk's forehand. Waselenchuk was able to score two more points before Carson finished off the game at 11-6.
In game three, Carson was again ahead early at 5-2, when during a long rally Waselenchuk threw himself to the back wall to keep the ball in play. It didn't seem like the ball would make the front wall, but it did, and Carson covered it, hitting a winner cross court to the right only to find that Waselenchuk had stayed down from his get at the back wall.
He stayed down for a few minutes, and then limped off the court without putting any pressure on his right leg. Waselenchuk took several minutes of injury time before continuing the match.
However, it was clear that he wasn't fully fit. Yet Waselenchuk still scored points on Carson and got within three at 7-10. But Carson stopped him with a diving kill shot off a Waselenchuk pinch to the front left corner, and then won the game on the next rally as Waselenchuk made an error on a touch shot.
Waselenchuk made the decision to forfeit the match before game four began. An injury to his right knee kept Waselenchuk out of tournaments earlier this season.
A sad ending to the match, but when Carson was asked afterwards if people can finally say that he has beaten Waselenchuk, Carson said "I don't care what you say." He added "some wins feel better than others."
"Kane is great at being great," said Carson, "so it's my job to make him be great for five games." Sadly for Waselenchuk, he wasn't able to do that on Sunday.
Asked whether his drive serve was stronger in this tournament, Carson attributed it to the altitude, and said Waselenchuk's also seemed to be moving faster. Carson seemed to add a jam serve into the left wall to his game, and said he was just trying to keep his opponents off balance and keep the ball moving. "If you can't kill the ball, then you're playing my game," said Carson.
"It's not always the prettiest racquetball," said Carson.
But as the saying goes, they don't ask how, they only ask how many, and on Sunday Carson's not pretty racquetball style was able to outlast Waselenchuk's more creative style.
The next IRT event is the St Louis Party with the Pros April 11-14.
2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Denver, Colorado
Final
Rocky Carson d. Kane Waselenchuk, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, injury forfeit
Follow the bouncing ball....
Knoth & Bailey win USA Racquetball Intercollegiates
Taylor Knoth (Oregon State) won his 2nd Intercollegiate Championship in three years Saturday at the 2013 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, as he defeated Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo) by injury forfeit.
Knoth also won the doubles title with partner Joel Bradshow as they beat Montalbano and Jake Bredenbeck, 15-5, 7-15, 11-5.
On the women's side, Kelani Bailey of Shenandoah University won her first Intercollegiate title by defeating the 2011 champion Danielle Key (Arizona State), 15-11, 15-13.
But Key did win the doubles title with Devon Pimentelli, as they defeated Amanda Lindsay and Beatty of Oregon State University, 15-10, 15-7 in the final.
2013 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Men's Singles
Final
Taylor Knoth (Oregon State) d. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo), injury forfeit
3rd place
Cole Burr (Brigham Young) d. Jordan Matthews (North Carolina State), 15-14, 15-0
Women's Singles
Final
Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah) d. Danielle Key (Arizona State), 15-11, 15-13
3rd place
Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State) d. Kelly Gremley (Purdue), 15-9, 14-15, 11-6
Men's Doubles
Final
Taylor Knoth & Joel Bradshow (Oregon State) d. Nick Montalbano & Jake Bredenbeck (Colorado State, Pueblo), 15-5, 7-15, 11-5
3rd place
Cole Burr & Brian Zundel (Brigham Young) d. Alex Fischler & Joe Koch (Missouri), 15-12, 13-15, 11-5
Women's Doubles
Final
Danielle Key & Devon Pimentelli (Arizona State) d. Amanda Lindsay & Karissa Beatty (Oregon State), 15-10, 15-7
3rd place
Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona) d. Eliza Culverwell & Mary Culverwell (Brigham Young), 15-4, 15-8
Follow the bouncing ball....
Knoth also won the doubles title with partner Joel Bradshow as they beat Montalbano and Jake Bredenbeck, 15-5, 7-15, 11-5.
On the women's side, Kelani Bailey of Shenandoah University won her first Intercollegiate title by defeating the 2011 champion Danielle Key (Arizona State), 15-11, 15-13.
But Key did win the doubles title with Devon Pimentelli, as they defeated Amanda Lindsay and Beatty of Oregon State University, 15-10, 15-7 in the final.
2013 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Men's Singles
Final
Taylor Knoth (Oregon State) d. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo), injury forfeit
3rd place
Cole Burr (Brigham Young) d. Jordan Matthews (North Carolina State), 15-14, 15-0
Women's Singles
Final
Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah) d. Danielle Key (Arizona State), 15-11, 15-13
3rd place
Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State) d. Kelly Gremley (Purdue), 15-9, 14-15, 11-6
Men's Doubles
Final
Taylor Knoth & Joel Bradshow (Oregon State) d. Nick Montalbano & Jake Bredenbeck (Colorado State, Pueblo), 15-5, 7-15, 11-5
3rd place
Cole Burr & Brian Zundel (Brigham Young) d. Alex Fischler & Joe Koch (Missouri), 15-12, 13-15, 11-5
Women's Doubles
Final
Danielle Key & Devon Pimentelli (Arizona State) d. Amanda Lindsay & Karissa Beatty (Oregon State), 15-10, 15-7
3rd place
Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona) d. Eliza Culverwell & Mary Culverwell (Brigham Young), 15-4, 15-8
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, March 23, 2013
IRT - Mile High Pro-Am - Waselenchuk & Carson to meet for 21st time
Two familiar faces will meet in the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), as IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk and #2 Rocky Carson both won their respective semi-finals in the Mile High Pro-Am Saturday in Denver. Waselenchuk and Carson have meet 20 times in the finals over the past five seasons, and Waselenchuk's won all but one, when he couldn't finish the final of the 2012 New York City event due to a back injury.
Thus, they have some history together.
But they didn't get to the final in quite the same way. Waselenchuk was dominant in his semi-final against Jose Rojas, winning 11-0, 11-1, 11-7. Rojas didn't get a point in the match until Waselenchuk scored 20, as Rojas's first point made it 9-1 in the second game in Waselenchuk's favour.
Nonetheless, it looked like Rojas might win game three, when he had a lead at 7-6. However, Waselenchuk refocussed and held Rojas at seven as he got five unanswered points to win the game and close out the match in three straight.
Carson's semi-final win over Ben Croft wasn't as straight forward, as he needed four games to prevail, winning 2-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-1. Game three was the key game of the match and it was a streaky one.
Carson scored the first five points of game three to lead 5-0. But then Croft got the nine of the next ten to lead 9-6. But momentum shifted back to Carson, as he got three points on three straight rallies to tie it 9-9.
Croft called time out, as he had at 9-9 in three of his quarter final games against Alvaro Beltran on Friday. And it worked, as he got the serve back when play resumed. On his serve, Croft got an opportunity on his forehand, and didn't hit a winner.
Carson took advantage and won that rally, and then scored two points to win the game 11-9 and level the match at a game apiece. The winning shot was a soft off speed side wall front wall shot that was maybe an inch high on the front wall.
So for the 21st time in the past five seasons, it'll be Waselenchuk versus Carson in an IRT final. The sensible prediction is Waselenchuk to win, although some people picked Florida Gulf Coast University to beat Georgetown in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, so probably not everyone's on Waselenchuk's side.
However, Waselenchuk does look like he's back to full fitness after missing two events this season due to injury. Has Carson improved enough to earn the win? Carson does seem to be serving better, but will that be enough to carry the day on Sunday?
The IRT Network will be web-casting the Mile High Pro/Am final at noon MDT Sunday afternoon.
2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Denver, Colorado
Semi-finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Rojas, 11-0, 11-1, 11-7
Rocky Carson d. Ben Croft, 2-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-1
Final
Kane Waselenchuk v. Rocky Carson
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thus, they have some history together.
But they didn't get to the final in quite the same way. Waselenchuk was dominant in his semi-final against Jose Rojas, winning 11-0, 11-1, 11-7. Rojas didn't get a point in the match until Waselenchuk scored 20, as Rojas's first point made it 9-1 in the second game in Waselenchuk's favour.
Nonetheless, it looked like Rojas might win game three, when he had a lead at 7-6. However, Waselenchuk refocussed and held Rojas at seven as he got five unanswered points to win the game and close out the match in three straight.
Carson's semi-final win over Ben Croft wasn't as straight forward, as he needed four games to prevail, winning 2-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-1. Game three was the key game of the match and it was a streaky one.
Carson scored the first five points of game three to lead 5-0. But then Croft got the nine of the next ten to lead 9-6. But momentum shifted back to Carson, as he got three points on three straight rallies to tie it 9-9.
Croft called time out, as he had at 9-9 in three of his quarter final games against Alvaro Beltran on Friday. And it worked, as he got the serve back when play resumed. On his serve, Croft got an opportunity on his forehand, and didn't hit a winner.
Carson took advantage and won that rally, and then scored two points to win the game 11-9 and level the match at a game apiece. The winning shot was a soft off speed side wall front wall shot that was maybe an inch high on the front wall.
So for the 21st time in the past five seasons, it'll be Waselenchuk versus Carson in an IRT final. The sensible prediction is Waselenchuk to win, although some people picked Florida Gulf Coast University to beat Georgetown in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, so probably not everyone's on Waselenchuk's side.
However, Waselenchuk does look like he's back to full fitness after missing two events this season due to injury. Has Carson improved enough to earn the win? Carson does seem to be serving better, but will that be enough to carry the day on Sunday?
The IRT Network will be web-casting the Mile High Pro/Am final at noon MDT Sunday afternoon.
2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Denver, Colorado
Semi-finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Rojas, 11-0, 11-1, 11-7
Rocky Carson d. Ben Croft, 2-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-1
Final
Kane Waselenchuk v. Rocky Carson
Follow the bouncing ball....
USA Intercollegiates - It could be 2011 all over again
The 2013 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships are once again taking place on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona,
and it could be a case of 2011 all over again as that year's men's and women's winners - Taylor Knoth (Oregon State) and Danielle Key (Arizona State), respectively - are in the finals again this year.
Knoth defeated Cole Burr of Brigham Young University, "212, 10" [sic] in the semi-finals to advance to final against Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo), as Montalbano beat Jordan Matthews of North Carolina State, 15-3, 15-8 in the other semi.
On the women's side, Key reached the final with a win over Kelly Gremley of Purdue University, 15-2, 15-9. She'll face Kelani Bailey of Shenandoah University in the final. Bailey defeated Amanda Lindsay of Oregon State University, 15-2, 15-1 in the semis.
2013 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Men's Singles
Semi-finals
Taylor Knoth (Oregon State) d. Cole Burr (Brigham Young), "212, 10" [sic]
Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo) d. Jordan Matthews (North Carolina State), 15-3, 15-8
Women's Singles
Semi-finals
Danielle Key (Arizona State) d. Kelly Gremley (Purdue), 15-2, 15-9
Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah) d. Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State), 15-2, 15-1
Follow the bouncing ball....
and it could be a case of 2011 all over again as that year's men's and women's winners - Taylor Knoth (Oregon State) and Danielle Key (Arizona State), respectively - are in the finals again this year.
Knoth defeated Cole Burr of Brigham Young University, "212, 10" [sic] in the semi-finals to advance to final against Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo), as Montalbano beat Jordan Matthews of North Carolina State, 15-3, 15-8 in the other semi.
On the women's side, Key reached the final with a win over Kelly Gremley of Purdue University, 15-2, 15-9. She'll face Kelani Bailey of Shenandoah University in the final. Bailey defeated Amanda Lindsay of Oregon State University, 15-2, 15-1 in the semis.
2013 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Men's Singles
Semi-finals
Taylor Knoth (Oregon State) d. Cole Burr (Brigham Young), "212, 10" [sic]
Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo) d. Jordan Matthews (North Carolina State), 15-3, 15-8
Women's Singles
Semi-finals
Danielle Key (Arizona State) d. Kelly Gremley (Purdue), 15-2, 15-9
Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah) d. Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State), 15-2, 15-1
Follow the bouncing ball....
IRT - Mile High Pro-Am - Controversy in the quarters
For perhaps the first time ever on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) two players were given technicals simultaneously, as Alvaro Beltran and Ben Croft were t-ed up as they had an altercation following a hinder call in their quarter final match at the Mile High Pro-Am in Denver on Friday. Their match was tight all the way, and in game five Beltran was serving at 6-2, when he and Croft got tangled up.
After the hinder call, Beltran claimed that Croft had pushed him and demonstrated the contact on Croft who took exception to that and pushed back. It looked like it might boil over but cooler heads were able to prevail. But both players were given technicals, so each lost a point and when play resumed it was Beltran serving 5-1.
That was only part of an incredible tie-breaker that Croft managed to win 14-12 to take the match, 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 4-11, 14-12.
The first three games of the match were almost identical, as both games one and two had ties at 4-4, a Croft lead at 8-5, and a 9-9 tie, when Croft called time out in each game and proceeded to win the next two points to take the games.
Game three also had an early tie at 3-3 and a Croft lead at 7-4, and a 9-9 tie, when Croft once again called time out. However, Beltran got the last two points of that game to force a fourth game, which he won comfortably, 11-4, setting up the dramatic tie-breaker.
In the tie-breaker, Beltran led all the way, including a 10-6 advantage late. But then Croft put together a run of points, including three consecutive drive serve aces - the first to the right, Beltran's forehand, and then two to the left, his opponent's backhand, and Croft found himself with a match point at 11-10.
But on the next rally Croft skipped a set up on his forehand side, a rare event as that's his better side. On his next match point, Croft double faulted, serving short twice.
Beltran then put together a couple of points to get another match point; his first came at 10-6. But Croft fought that one off and two more before tying the game at 12-12.
He got to 13-12, and then on his fourth match point, Croft drove serve - as he had all match; this time to the right and it got a weak return from Beltran and then Croft splat killed the ball with his forehand, which led to a scream of joy and relief from Croft.
With the win, Croft moves into the semi-finals, where he'll face IRT #2 Rocky Carson. Carson was a winner over Tony Carson (no relation) in four games, 11-4, 6-11, 11-0, 11-5. Rocky drove serve much of the match, including jam serves to the left side that kicked out from about the five foot line.
Top seed Kane Waselenchuk advanced to the semis with a straight game win over Andy Hawthorne, 11-1, 11-5, 11-4. Hawthorne actually lead 5-2 in game two before Waselenchuk scored nine straight points to take a commanding two game to zero lead.
Waselenchuk's semi-final opponent will be Jose Rojas, who defeated Chris Crowther in four games, 9-11, 12-10, 11-1, 11-7. Rojas dropped the first game 11-9, and looked in danger of doing the same thing in game two, when Crowther led 10-6.
However, Crowther's first game point opportunity ended with a ceiling ball skip, and he couldn't convert his second either, which came at 10-7.
Rojas made it 10-9, and even a Crowther time out at that point couldn't prevent Rojas from levelling the match at a game a piece as he won game two 12-10.
Game three was all Rojas, as he won comfortably 11-1, including three drive serve aces.
Crowther was neck and neck with Rojas in game four, however, as they were tied at 4-4, 6-6, and 7-7. But that was as many points as Rojas would led Crowther have as Rojas closed it out with four unanswered points including a cross court backhand winner on match point.
The IRT Network will be web-casting the Mile High Pro/Am semi-finals beginning at 4 PM MDT Saturday afternoon.
2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Denver, Colorado
Quarter finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-1, 11-5, 11-4
Jose Rojas d. Chris Crowther, 9-11, 12-10, 11-1, 11-7
Ben Croft d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 4-11, 14-12
Rocky Carson d. Tony Carson, 11-4, 6-11, 11-0, 11-5
Semi-finals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Rojas
Rocky Carson v. Ben Croft
Follow the bouncing ball....
After the hinder call, Beltran claimed that Croft had pushed him and demonstrated the contact on Croft who took exception to that and pushed back. It looked like it might boil over but cooler heads were able to prevail. But both players were given technicals, so each lost a point and when play resumed it was Beltran serving 5-1.
That was only part of an incredible tie-breaker that Croft managed to win 14-12 to take the match, 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 4-11, 14-12.
The first three games of the match were almost identical, as both games one and two had ties at 4-4, a Croft lead at 8-5, and a 9-9 tie, when Croft called time out in each game and proceeded to win the next two points to take the games.
Game three also had an early tie at 3-3 and a Croft lead at 7-4, and a 9-9 tie, when Croft once again called time out. However, Beltran got the last two points of that game to force a fourth game, which he won comfortably, 11-4, setting up the dramatic tie-breaker.
In the tie-breaker, Beltran led all the way, including a 10-6 advantage late. But then Croft put together a run of points, including three consecutive drive serve aces - the first to the right, Beltran's forehand, and then two to the left, his opponent's backhand, and Croft found himself with a match point at 11-10.
But on the next rally Croft skipped a set up on his forehand side, a rare event as that's his better side. On his next match point, Croft double faulted, serving short twice.
Beltran then put together a couple of points to get another match point; his first came at 10-6. But Croft fought that one off and two more before tying the game at 12-12.
He got to 13-12, and then on his fourth match point, Croft drove serve - as he had all match; this time to the right and it got a weak return from Beltran and then Croft splat killed the ball with his forehand, which led to a scream of joy and relief from Croft.
With the win, Croft moves into the semi-finals, where he'll face IRT #2 Rocky Carson. Carson was a winner over Tony Carson (no relation) in four games, 11-4, 6-11, 11-0, 11-5. Rocky drove serve much of the match, including jam serves to the left side that kicked out from about the five foot line.
Top seed Kane Waselenchuk advanced to the semis with a straight game win over Andy Hawthorne, 11-1, 11-5, 11-4. Hawthorne actually lead 5-2 in game two before Waselenchuk scored nine straight points to take a commanding two game to zero lead.
Waselenchuk's semi-final opponent will be Jose Rojas, who defeated Chris Crowther in four games, 9-11, 12-10, 11-1, 11-7. Rojas dropped the first game 11-9, and looked in danger of doing the same thing in game two, when Crowther led 10-6.
However, Crowther's first game point opportunity ended with a ceiling ball skip, and he couldn't convert his second either, which came at 10-7.
Rojas made it 10-9, and even a Crowther time out at that point couldn't prevent Rojas from levelling the match at a game a piece as he won game two 12-10.
Game three was all Rojas, as he won comfortably 11-1, including three drive serve aces.
Crowther was neck and neck with Rojas in game four, however, as they were tied at 4-4, 6-6, and 7-7. But that was as many points as Rojas would led Crowther have as Rojas closed it out with four unanswered points including a cross court backhand winner on match point.
The IRT Network will be web-casting the Mile High Pro/Am semi-finals beginning at 4 PM MDT Saturday afternoon.
2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Denver, Colorado
Quarter finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-1, 11-5, 11-4
Jose Rojas d. Chris Crowther, 9-11, 12-10, 11-1, 11-7
Ben Croft d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 4-11, 14-12
Rocky Carson d. Tony Carson, 11-4, 6-11, 11-0, 11-5
Semi-finals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Rojas
Rocky Carson v. Ben Croft
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, March 22, 2013
IRT - Mile High Pro-Am - All higher seeds win in the 16s
Another tie-breaker in the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Mile High Pro-Am in Denver Friday as the 8/9 game went the distance before 8th seed Andy Hawthorne defeated 9th seed Jose Diaz, 11-7, 7-11, 5-11, 11-3, 11-5.
Four of the five games had a similar pattern, as one player went up early and stayed ahead. Game two was the exception was Diaz came back from 6-2 down to win 9 of 10 points to win the game and level the match.
In game three, Diaz went up 5-0 and stayed ahead. In that game he used kiss lob serves to the left side - Hawthorne's forehand. But at the end of that game he switched to straight drive serves and didn't use the kiss lob, which may have been a mistake as Hawthorne came back from 2-1 down to win the match in five games.
Hawthorne will play IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the quarter finals later on Friday after Waselenchuk defeated hometown player and US Junior Team member Adam Manilla, 11-5, 11-2, 11-0, in what was a battle of left-handers.
IRT #2 Rocky Carson also won his Round of 16 match easily, as he beat Andrew Gale three straight, 11-3, 11-3, 11-8. In the quarters, it will be Carson v. Carson, as Rocky will play Tony, although they aren't related.
Tony Carson beat Alex Ackermann, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10, 11-3, in the 16s. Game three of that match was long, including eight rallies at 4-4. Ackermann got up late at 10-7, and served for the game four times, but Carson fought all those game points off.
Then he made a slight change to his serving position. Carson had been hitting a lot of straight drives down the right side to Ackermann's forehand from a position on the right side of the service box. But that had lost its effectiveness, so Carson moved into the middle to hit that serve and that little change made the serve more effective and helped him come back and pull out game three and then win game four going away.
In what we thought was going to be the highlight match of the 16s, Chris Crowther had a relatively straight forward win over Daniel De La Rosa, winning in three straight games, 11-1, 12-10, 11-4. It wasn't due to a lack of effort by De La Rosa, who threw himself around the court in an effort to make Crowther play another shot.
De La Rosa almost levelled the match at 1-1, when he came back in game two from 10-6 to 10-10 using off speed Z serves to the left side that were tight to the back wall. But Crowther got the serve back and drove serve himself out of trouble, winning game two 12-10 and then comfortably winning game three.
Crowther will play Jose Rojas in the quarters, as Rojas defeated Brad Schopieray.
Finally, Alvaro Beltran will play Ben Croft in the quarter finals, as Beltran defeated Arthur Schmeiser, 11-3, 11-6, 11-3, and Croft beat Anthony Herrera, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6.
The IRT Network will be web-casting the Mile High Pro/Am quarter-finals beginning at 4 PM MDT Friday afternoon.
2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Denver, Colorado
Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk d. Adam Manilla, 11-5, 11-2, 11-0
Andy Hawthorne d. Jose Diaz, 11-7, 7-11, 5-11, 11-3, 11-5
Jose Rojas d. Brad Schopieray
Chris Crowther d. Daniel De La Rosa, 11-1, 12-10, 11-4
Alvaro Beltran d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-3, 11-6, 11-3
Ben Croft d. Anthony Herrera, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6
Tony Carson d. Alex Ackermann, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10, 11-3
Rocky Carson d. Andrew Gale, 11-3, 11-3, 11-8
Quarter-finals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Andy Hawthorne
Chris Crowther v. Jose Rojas
Alvaro Beltran v. Ben Croft
Rocky Carson v. Tony Carson
Follow the bouncing ball....
Four of the five games had a similar pattern, as one player went up early and stayed ahead. Game two was the exception was Diaz came back from 6-2 down to win 9 of 10 points to win the game and level the match.
In game three, Diaz went up 5-0 and stayed ahead. In that game he used kiss lob serves to the left side - Hawthorne's forehand. But at the end of that game he switched to straight drive serves and didn't use the kiss lob, which may have been a mistake as Hawthorne came back from 2-1 down to win the match in five games.
Hawthorne will play IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the quarter finals later on Friday after Waselenchuk defeated hometown player and US Junior Team member Adam Manilla, 11-5, 11-2, 11-0, in what was a battle of left-handers.
IRT #2 Rocky Carson also won his Round of 16 match easily, as he beat Andrew Gale three straight, 11-3, 11-3, 11-8. In the quarters, it will be Carson v. Carson, as Rocky will play Tony, although they aren't related.
Tony Carson beat Alex Ackermann, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10, 11-3, in the 16s. Game three of that match was long, including eight rallies at 4-4. Ackermann got up late at 10-7, and served for the game four times, but Carson fought all those game points off.
Then he made a slight change to his serving position. Carson had been hitting a lot of straight drives down the right side to Ackermann's forehand from a position on the right side of the service box. But that had lost its effectiveness, so Carson moved into the middle to hit that serve and that little change made the serve more effective and helped him come back and pull out game three and then win game four going away.
In what we thought was going to be the highlight match of the 16s, Chris Crowther had a relatively straight forward win over Daniel De La Rosa, winning in three straight games, 11-1, 12-10, 11-4. It wasn't due to a lack of effort by De La Rosa, who threw himself around the court in an effort to make Crowther play another shot.
De La Rosa almost levelled the match at 1-1, when he came back in game two from 10-6 to 10-10 using off speed Z serves to the left side that were tight to the back wall. But Crowther got the serve back and drove serve himself out of trouble, winning game two 12-10 and then comfortably winning game three.
Crowther will play Jose Rojas in the quarters, as Rojas defeated Brad Schopieray.
Finally, Alvaro Beltran will play Ben Croft in the quarter finals, as Beltran defeated Arthur Schmeiser, 11-3, 11-6, 11-3, and Croft beat Anthony Herrera, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6.
The IRT Network will be web-casting the Mile High Pro/Am quarter-finals beginning at 4 PM MDT Friday afternoon.
2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Denver, Colorado
Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk d. Adam Manilla, 11-5, 11-2, 11-0
Andy Hawthorne d. Jose Diaz, 11-7, 7-11, 5-11, 11-3, 11-5
Jose Rojas d. Brad Schopieray
Chris Crowther d. Daniel De La Rosa, 11-1, 12-10, 11-4
Alvaro Beltran d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-3, 11-6, 11-3
Ben Croft d. Anthony Herrera, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6
Tony Carson d. Alex Ackermann, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10, 11-3
Rocky Carson d. Andrew Gale, 11-3, 11-3, 11-8
Quarter-finals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Andy Hawthorne
Chris Crowther v. Jose Rojas
Alvaro Beltran v. Ben Croft
Rocky Carson v. Tony Carson
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, March 21, 2013
IRT - Mile High Pro-Am Preliminary Results
The preliminary round action at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Mile High Pro-Am in Denver had a few tie-breakers happen. The first on was Parker Bremner defeating left-hander Derek Izzi, 7-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7. However, Bremner fell to Daniel De La Rosa in the last round of qualifying for a spot in the 16s.
De La Rosa will face Chris Crowther in the Round of 16 on Friday in what should be a great match.
The other five game matches came on the bottom of the draw, as Alex Ackermann and Andrew Gale were both pushed a fifth game before they could advance.
Ackermann won the first game against young Bolivian Diego Crespo, 11-9, but then he dropped the next two - 6-11, 7-11 - to put him in a must win situation in game four. Ackermann was able to take it up a notch and that comfortably, 11-2, to set up a tie-breaking fifth game.
In the fifth, Crespo took a big lead at 9-3, and it looked like there would be an upset. However, Ackermann clawed his way back into the match and tied it at 9-9.
Crespo did get to 10-9, but failed to convert what would be his only match point. Ackermann got the next two points to get his first match point opportunity at 11-10. However, Crespo fought off four match points and then tied the game 11-11.
But again Ackermann pushed ahead and won the game on his fifth match point opportunity, winning the fifth 13-11. Ackermann will play Tony Carson in the 16s on Friday.
Tim Prigo was up 2-0 on Andrew Gale and had a match point opportunity in game three after he came back from a 7-4 deficit. However, at that point Prigo chose to lob serve despite the success he was having with alternating drive serves to the left and right sides.
Prigo lost that rally, and although the game went into extra points, Prigo never got another game point opportunity, as Gale won game three 16-14, and then denied Prigo any other match point opportunities in games four and five, as he went on to win the match.
Gale will play 2nd seed Rocky Carson in the Round of 16 on Friday.
The IRT Network will be web-casting the Mile High Pro/Am Round of 16 from 10 AM MDT Friday.
2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Denver, Colorado
Round 2
Q8: Adam Manilla d. Mike Orr, 11-8, 11-6, 11-2
Q1: Jose Diaz d. Andrew Clarke, 11-1, 12-10, 11-9
Q4: Brad Schopieray d. Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5
Q5: Daniel De La Rosa d. Parker Bremner, 11-3, 11-3, 11-5
Q6: Arthur Schmeiser d. Mike O'Brien, 11-8, 10-12, 11-6, 11-7
Q3: Anthony Herrera d. John Rhodes, 11-1, 11-9, 11-1
Q2: Alex Ackermann d. Diego Crespo, 11-9, 6-11, 7-11, 11-2, 13-11
Q7: Andrew Gale d. Tim Prigo, 7-11, 4-11, 16-14, 11-6, 11-4
Main Draw - Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk v. Adam Manilla
Andy Hawthorne v. Jose Diaz
Jose Rojas v. Brad Schopieray
Chris Crowther v. Daniel De La Rosa
Alvaro Beltran v. Arthur Schmeiser
Ben Croft v. Anthony Herrera
Tony Carson v. Alex Ackermann
Rocky Carson v. Andrew Gale
Round 1
Andrew Clarke d. Alexi Hayes, 11-13, 11-0, 11-1, 11-4
Robert Collins d. Nathan Torres, 11-7, 11-9, 11-7
Parker Bremner d. Derek Izzi, 7-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7
Mike O'Brien d. Brian Pineda, 11-5, 11-2, 11-5
John Rhodes d. Tyler Thellen, 11-1, 6-11, 11-3, 11-3
Diego Crespo d. Nicholas Riffel, 11-4, 11-5, 4-11, 11-2
Tim Prigo d. Clinton Mehta, 11-4, 8-11, 11-3, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball....
De La Rosa will face Chris Crowther in the Round of 16 on Friday in what should be a great match.
The other five game matches came on the bottom of the draw, as Alex Ackermann and Andrew Gale were both pushed a fifth game before they could advance.
Ackermann won the first game against young Bolivian Diego Crespo, 11-9, but then he dropped the next two - 6-11, 7-11 - to put him in a must win situation in game four. Ackermann was able to take it up a notch and that comfortably, 11-2, to set up a tie-breaking fifth game.
In the fifth, Crespo took a big lead at 9-3, and it looked like there would be an upset. However, Ackermann clawed his way back into the match and tied it at 9-9.
Crespo did get to 10-9, but failed to convert what would be his only match point. Ackermann got the next two points to get his first match point opportunity at 11-10. However, Crespo fought off four match points and then tied the game 11-11.
But again Ackermann pushed ahead and won the game on his fifth match point opportunity, winning the fifth 13-11. Ackermann will play Tony Carson in the 16s on Friday.
Tim Prigo was up 2-0 on Andrew Gale and had a match point opportunity in game three after he came back from a 7-4 deficit. However, at that point Prigo chose to lob serve despite the success he was having with alternating drive serves to the left and right sides.
Prigo lost that rally, and although the game went into extra points, Prigo never got another game point opportunity, as Gale won game three 16-14, and then denied Prigo any other match point opportunities in games four and five, as he went on to win the match.
Gale will play 2nd seed Rocky Carson in the Round of 16 on Friday.
The IRT Network will be web-casting the Mile High Pro/Am Round of 16 from 10 AM MDT Friday.
2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Denver, Colorado
Round 2
Q8: Adam Manilla d. Mike Orr, 11-8, 11-6, 11-2
Q1: Jose Diaz d. Andrew Clarke, 11-1, 12-10, 11-9
Q4: Brad Schopieray d. Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5
Q5: Daniel De La Rosa d. Parker Bremner, 11-3, 11-3, 11-5
Q6: Arthur Schmeiser d. Mike O'Brien, 11-8, 10-12, 11-6, 11-7
Q3: Anthony Herrera d. John Rhodes, 11-1, 11-9, 11-1
Q2: Alex Ackermann d. Diego Crespo, 11-9, 6-11, 7-11, 11-2, 13-11
Q7: Andrew Gale d. Tim Prigo, 7-11, 4-11, 16-14, 11-6, 11-4
Main Draw - Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk v. Adam Manilla
Andy Hawthorne v. Jose Diaz
Jose Rojas v. Brad Schopieray
Chris Crowther v. Daniel De La Rosa
Alvaro Beltran v. Arthur Schmeiser
Ben Croft v. Anthony Herrera
Tony Carson v. Alex Ackermann
Rocky Carson v. Andrew Gale
Round 1
Andrew Clarke d. Alexi Hayes, 11-13, 11-0, 11-1, 11-4
Robert Collins d. Nathan Torres, 11-7, 11-9, 11-7
Parker Bremner d. Derek Izzi, 7-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7
Mike O'Brien d. Brian Pineda, 11-5, 11-2, 11-5
John Rhodes d. Tyler Thellen, 11-1, 6-11, 11-3, 11-3
Diego Crespo d. Nicholas Riffel, 11-4, 11-5, 4-11, 11-2
Tim Prigo d. Clinton Mehta, 11-4, 8-11, 11-3, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
IRT - 2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Preliminary Round
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is back in the Mile High City for the first time since September 2009, when they played outdoors with the portable court in downtown Denver. But this weekend the historic Denver Athletic Club will host the IRT and IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk will try to extend his current winning streak.
Waselenchuk's first opponent this weekend will be the winner of perhaps the most interesting preliminary round match, in which veteran Mike Orr will play left-handed Adam Manilla, who's a US Junior Team member. They play Thursday night with the winner going into the Round of 16 on Friday against Waselenchuk.
Likely the two most interesting match ups in the 16s will be Andy Hawthorne versus Jose Diaz and Chris Crowther versus Daniel De La Rosa. Crowther needed five games to defeat De La Rosa in the quarter finals of last year's US Open.
The IRT Network will be web-casting the Mile High Pro/Am beginning on Friday with the Round of 16.
2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Denver, Colorado
Round 1
Alexi Hayes v. Andrew Clarke
Robert Collins v. Nathan Torres
Derek Izzi v. Parker Bremner
Brian Pineda v. Mike O'Brien
Tyler Thellen v. John Rhodes
Nicholas Riffel v. Diego Crespo
Tim Prigo v. Clinton Mehta
Round 2
Q8: Mike Orr v. Adam Manilla
Q1: Jose Diaz v. Alexi Hayes or Andrew Clarke
Q4: Brad Schopieray v. Robert Collins or Nathan Torres
Q5: Daniel De La Rosa v. Derek Izzi or Parker Bremner
Q6: Arthur Schmeiser v. Brian Pineda or Mike O'Brien
Q3: Anthony Herrera v. Tyler Thellen or John Rhodes
Q2: Alex Ackermann v. Nicholas Riffel or Diego Crespo
Q7: Andrew Gale v. Tim Prigo or Clinton Mehta
Main Draw - Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Andy Hawthorne v. Q1
Jose Rojas v. Q4
Chris Crowther v. Q5
Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
Ben Croft v. Q3
Tony Carson v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Waselenchuk's first opponent this weekend will be the winner of perhaps the most interesting preliminary round match, in which veteran Mike Orr will play left-handed Adam Manilla, who's a US Junior Team member. They play Thursday night with the winner going into the Round of 16 on Friday against Waselenchuk.
Likely the two most interesting match ups in the 16s will be Andy Hawthorne versus Jose Diaz and Chris Crowther versus Daniel De La Rosa. Crowther needed five games to defeat De La Rosa in the quarter finals of last year's US Open.
The IRT Network will be web-casting the Mile High Pro/Am beginning on Friday with the Round of 16.
2013 Mile High Pro/Am - Denver, Colorado
Round 1
Alexi Hayes v. Andrew Clarke
Robert Collins v. Nathan Torres
Derek Izzi v. Parker Bremner
Brian Pineda v. Mike O'Brien
Tyler Thellen v. John Rhodes
Nicholas Riffel v. Diego Crespo
Tim Prigo v. Clinton Mehta
Round 2
Q8: Mike Orr v. Adam Manilla
Q1: Jose Diaz v. Alexi Hayes or Andrew Clarke
Q4: Brad Schopieray v. Robert Collins or Nathan Torres
Q5: Daniel De La Rosa v. Derek Izzi or Parker Bremner
Q6: Arthur Schmeiser v. Brian Pineda or Mike O'Brien
Q3: Anthony Herrera v. Tyler Thellen or John Rhodes
Q2: Alex Ackermann v. Nicholas Riffel or Diego Crespo
Q7: Andrew Gale v. Tim Prigo or Clinton Mehta
Main Draw - Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Andy Hawthorne v. Q1
Jose Rojas v. Q4
Chris Crowther v. Q5
Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
Ben Croft v. Q3
Tony Carson v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, March 18, 2013
Weekend Round Up - Herrera and Knoth double winners
Here are a few results from the weekend. Juan Herrera won the 28th Annual Shamrock Shootout in Lombard, Illinois - a Tier 4 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event. Herrera beat Brian Simpson in the final, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4.
In the semi-finals, Herrera defeated Filip Vesely, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5, while Simpson saw off Trevor Snyders, 11-9, 11-7, 12-10.
Herrera and Snyders teamed up to win the Open Doubles division, defeating Brent Huff and David Bachar in the final, 15-10, 15-7. Herrera and Snyder beat Geoffrey Goldblatt and George Pappas in the semis, 15-13, 15-5, while Huff and Bachar defeated Clint Hickman and Eric Mathews, 13-15, 15-10, 11-4.
Also on the weekend, Taylor Knoth won the 42nd Annual Northwest Open in Bellingham, Washington by defeating Jeff Stark, 15-9, 1-15, 11-4, in the final. Knoth beat Josh Hungerford in the semi-finals, 15-3, 15-5, and Stark defeated Jimmy Lowe, 15-12, 15-6.
Lowe beat Hungerford for 3rd place, 15-5, 15-4.
Knoth and Hungerford teamed up to win the Open Doubles title, where they defeated Stark and Lowe in the final, 10-15, 15-10, 11-8. In the semi-finals, Knoth and Hungerford were winners over Bill Napier and Paul Julbes, 15-7, 15-1, while Stark and Lowe won against Devin Drury and Tracy Drury, 15-13, 15-5.
Napier and Julbes won the 3rd place match, beating Drury and Drury, 7-15, 15-6, 11-10.
Two big event to look forward to this week: the IRT has a Tier 1 event in Denver, where the Denver Athletic Club will host the Mile High Pro-Am, and Arizona State Univrsity in Tempe, Arizona will host the USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships.
28th Annual Shamrock Shootout, Lombard, Illinois - IRT Tier 4
Men's Open
Final - Juan Herrera d. Brian Simpson, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4
Semi-finals - Juan Herrera d. Filip Vesely, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5
Brian Simpson d. Trevor Snyders, 11-9, 11-7, 12-10
Men's Open Doubles
Final - Juan Herrera & Trevor Snyders d. Brent Huff and David Bachar, 15-10, 15-7
Semi-finals - Juan Herrera & Trevor Snyder d. Geoffrey Goldblatt & George Pappas, 15-13, 15-5
Brent Huff & David Bachar d. Clint Hickman & Eric Mathews, 13-15, 15-10, 11-4.
42nd Annual Northwest Open, Bellingham, Washington
Men's Open
Final - Taylor Knoth d. Jeff Stark, 15-9, 1-15, 11-4
Semi-finals - Taylor Knoth d. Josh Hungerford, 15-3, 15-5
Jeff Stark d. Jimmy Lowe, 15-12, 15-6
3rd Place - Jimmy Lowe d. Josh Hungerford, 15-5, 15-4
Men's Open Doubles
Final - Taylor Knoth & Josh Hungerford d. Jeff Stark & Jimmy Lowe, 10-15, 15-10, 11-8
Semi-finals - Taylor Knoth & Josh Hungerford d. Bill Napier & Paul Julbes, 15-7, 15-1
Jeff Stark & Jimmy Lowe d. Devin Drury & Tracy Drury, 15-13, 15-5
3rd Place - Bill Napier & Paul Julbes d. Drury and Drury, 7-15, 15-6, 11-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the semi-finals, Herrera defeated Filip Vesely, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5, while Simpson saw off Trevor Snyders, 11-9, 11-7, 12-10.
Herrera and Snyders teamed up to win the Open Doubles division, defeating Brent Huff and David Bachar in the final, 15-10, 15-7. Herrera and Snyder beat Geoffrey Goldblatt and George Pappas in the semis, 15-13, 15-5, while Huff and Bachar defeated Clint Hickman and Eric Mathews, 13-15, 15-10, 11-4.
Also on the weekend, Taylor Knoth won the 42nd Annual Northwest Open in Bellingham, Washington by defeating Jeff Stark, 15-9, 1-15, 11-4, in the final. Knoth beat Josh Hungerford in the semi-finals, 15-3, 15-5, and Stark defeated Jimmy Lowe, 15-12, 15-6.
Lowe beat Hungerford for 3rd place, 15-5, 15-4.
Knoth and Hungerford teamed up to win the Open Doubles title, where they defeated Stark and Lowe in the final, 10-15, 15-10, 11-8. In the semi-finals, Knoth and Hungerford were winners over Bill Napier and Paul Julbes, 15-7, 15-1, while Stark and Lowe won against Devin Drury and Tracy Drury, 15-13, 15-5.
Napier and Julbes won the 3rd place match, beating Drury and Drury, 7-15, 15-6, 11-10.
Two big event to look forward to this week: the IRT has a Tier 1 event in Denver, where the Denver Athletic Club will host the Mile High Pro-Am, and Arizona State Univrsity in Tempe, Arizona will host the USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships.
28th Annual Shamrock Shootout, Lombard, Illinois - IRT Tier 4
Men's Open
Final - Juan Herrera d. Brian Simpson, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4
Semi-finals - Juan Herrera d. Filip Vesely, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5
Brian Simpson d. Trevor Snyders, 11-9, 11-7, 12-10
Men's Open Doubles
Final - Juan Herrera & Trevor Snyders d. Brent Huff and David Bachar, 15-10, 15-7
Semi-finals - Juan Herrera & Trevor Snyder d. Geoffrey Goldblatt & George Pappas, 15-13, 15-5
Brent Huff & David Bachar d. Clint Hickman & Eric Mathews, 13-15, 15-10, 11-4.
42nd Annual Northwest Open, Bellingham, Washington
Men's Open
Final - Taylor Knoth d. Jeff Stark, 15-9, 1-15, 11-4
Semi-finals - Taylor Knoth d. Josh Hungerford, 15-3, 15-5
Jeff Stark d. Jimmy Lowe, 15-12, 15-6
3rd Place - Jimmy Lowe d. Josh Hungerford, 15-5, 15-4
Men's Open Doubles
Final - Taylor Knoth & Josh Hungerford d. Jeff Stark & Jimmy Lowe, 10-15, 15-10, 11-8
Semi-finals - Taylor Knoth & Josh Hungerford d. Bill Napier & Paul Julbes, 15-7, 15-1
Jeff Stark & Jimmy Lowe d. Devin Drury & Tracy Drury, 15-13, 15-5
3rd Place - Bill Napier & Paul Julbes d. Drury and Drury, 7-15, 15-6, 11-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, March 15, 2013
IRT Rankings - Crowther up to #4
There's been a bit of movement in the latest International Racquetball Tour (IRT) rankings, but the top three remain the same: Kane Waselenchuk at #1, Rocky Carson #2, and Alvaro Beltran #3.
Moving up is Chris Crowther, who jumped ahead of Jose Rojas into the 4th spot with Rojas in 5th. Ben Croft's finals appearance in Florida helped him move up two spots to 6th, going ahead of Tony Carson and Shane Vanderson, who are now 7th and 8th, respectively.
Holding steady in 9 and 10 are Javier Morneo and Andy Hawthorne, but Jose Diaz and Alex Ackermann have jumped up five spots each to sit at 11 and 12, respectively. Only one point separate Diaz and Ackermann, and Anthony Herrera is only a point back of Ackermann.
The next Tier 1 IRT event is next week in Denver, where the Denver Athletic Club will host the Mile High Pro/Am March 21-24.
IRT Rankings - 12 March 2013
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3570
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3242
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 2652
4 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 2016
5 Jose ROJAS (USA) 1836
6 Ben CROFT (USA) 1688
7 Tony CARSON (USA) 1593
8 Shane VANDERSON (USA) 1469
9 Javier MORENO (Mexico) 1081
10 Andy HAWTHORNE (USA) 896
11 Jose DIAZ (USA) 751
12 Alex ACKERMANN (USA) 750
13 Anthony HERRERA (USA) 749
14 Brad SCHOPIERAY (USA) 720
15 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 709
16 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 656
17 Marco ROJAS (USA) 644
18 Charlie PRATT (USA) 604
19 Nick MONTALBANO (USA) 600
20 Juan HERRERA (Colombia) 585
Follow the bouncing ball....
Moving up is Chris Crowther, who jumped ahead of Jose Rojas into the 4th spot with Rojas in 5th. Ben Croft's finals appearance in Florida helped him move up two spots to 6th, going ahead of Tony Carson and Shane Vanderson, who are now 7th and 8th, respectively.
Holding steady in 9 and 10 are Javier Morneo and Andy Hawthorne, but Jose Diaz and Alex Ackermann have jumped up five spots each to sit at 11 and 12, respectively. Only one point separate Diaz and Ackermann, and Anthony Herrera is only a point back of Ackermann.
The next Tier 1 IRT event is next week in Denver, where the Denver Athletic Club will host the Mile High Pro/Am March 21-24.
IRT Rankings - 12 March 2013
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3570
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3242
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 2652
4 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 2016
5 Jose ROJAS (USA) 1836
6 Ben CROFT (USA) 1688
7 Tony CARSON (USA) 1593
8 Shane VANDERSON (USA) 1469
9 Javier MORENO (Mexico) 1081
10 Andy HAWTHORNE (USA) 896
11 Jose DIAZ (USA) 751
12 Alex ACKERMANN (USA) 750
13 Anthony HERRERA (USA) 749
14 Brad SCHOPIERAY (USA) 720
15 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 709
16 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 656
17 Marco ROJAS (USA) 644
18 Charlie PRATT (USA) 604
19 Nick MONTALBANO (USA) 600
20 Juan HERRERA (Colombia) 585
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, March 10, 2013
IRT - Waselenchuk wins Florida Spring Break Tournament
Kane Waselenchuk weathered an early storm by Ben Croft to win the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Florida Spring Break tournament in Tampa, Florida, 10-12, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3. Waselenchuk's won five of the seven IRT events this season, and didn't play in the other two due to injury.
Waselenchuk started well in game one, as he went out to a 9-4 lead, but Croft dug in and came back to win 12-10. Waselenchuk had two game points but didn't convert either.
Croft's strategy was clear: drive serve down the right side, which is the left-handed Waselenchuk's backhand. Croft did mix in a few drives to the left and some drive Z serves to the right, but he tried to ride the straight drive to the right to victory.
And it worked for one game.
It looked like it might work for more, as Croft also had a lead in game two at 7-4. However, Waselenchuk got the serve back and got five points on five rallies to go up 9-7. Croft called a time out then, and did get the serve back when play resumed. But Croft couldn't capitalize on the advantage, and Waselenchuk went on to win 11-7, which evened the match at 1-1.
Waselenchuk started well in game four, going up 4-0, but Croft got within one at 4-3. Slowly but surely Waselenchuk built the lead up to 7-3, when Croft called a time out.
Croft's time out was only a pause in Waselenchuk's momentum, as he went on to win game four 11-4.
Game five was similar to four, as Waselenchuk took a 4-0 lead, and then Croft was called for an avoidable hinder. He strongly disagreed with the call, and was assessed a technical, which made the score 5-(-1). Waselenchuk pushed the score to 9-(-1), and although Croft got himself into positive digits, there wasn't any doubt as to the outcome, as Waselenchuk went on to win 11-3.
Thus, after some initial excitement at the prospect of an upset, another IRT final match came out as it has so many times in the past few years with Kane Waselenchuk coming out on top. The win is Waselenchuk's 66th, putting him four behind Cliff Swain's IRT career leading win total of 70.
The Mile High Racquetball Pro/Am will be the next IRT Tier 1 event, and that happens March 21-24 in Denver.
2013 Florida Spring Break, Tampa, Florida
Final - Sunday
Kane Waselenchuk d. Ben Croft, 10-12, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball....
Waselenchuk started well in game one, as he went out to a 9-4 lead, but Croft dug in and came back to win 12-10. Waselenchuk had two game points but didn't convert either.
Croft's strategy was clear: drive serve down the right side, which is the left-handed Waselenchuk's backhand. Croft did mix in a few drives to the left and some drive Z serves to the right, but he tried to ride the straight drive to the right to victory.
And it worked for one game.
It looked like it might work for more, as Croft also had a lead in game two at 7-4. However, Waselenchuk got the serve back and got five points on five rallies to go up 9-7. Croft called a time out then, and did get the serve back when play resumed. But Croft couldn't capitalize on the advantage, and Waselenchuk went on to win 11-7, which evened the match at 1-1.
Waselenchuk started well in game four, going up 4-0, but Croft got within one at 4-3. Slowly but surely Waselenchuk built the lead up to 7-3, when Croft called a time out.
Croft's time out was only a pause in Waselenchuk's momentum, as he went on to win game four 11-4.
Game five was similar to four, as Waselenchuk took a 4-0 lead, and then Croft was called for an avoidable hinder. He strongly disagreed with the call, and was assessed a technical, which made the score 5-(-1). Waselenchuk pushed the score to 9-(-1), and although Croft got himself into positive digits, there wasn't any doubt as to the outcome, as Waselenchuk went on to win 11-3.
Thus, after some initial excitement at the prospect of an upset, another IRT final match came out as it has so many times in the past few years with Kane Waselenchuk coming out on top. The win is Waselenchuk's 66th, putting him four behind Cliff Swain's IRT career leading win total of 70.
The Mile High Racquetball Pro/Am will be the next IRT Tier 1 event, and that happens March 21-24 in Denver.
2013 Florida Spring Break, Tampa, Florida
Final - Sunday
Kane Waselenchuk d. Ben Croft, 10-12, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, March 9, 2013
IRT - Florida Spring Break - Waselenchuk & Croft win semis
Ben Croft, by his own admission, has had his worst season in awhile, but he's in the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Florida Spring Break tournament in Tampa, Florida after defeating 2nd seed Rocky Carson, 11-5, 11-7, 1-11, 4-11, 11-4, in the semi-finals. Prior to this, Croft hadn't made it past the quarter finals this season.
Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 IRT player, will be Croft's opponent in the final, as Waselenchuk defeated Jose Rojas, 11-6, 11-2, 11-3, in the other semi-final.
Croft started strong, hitting drive serves down the right side to Carson's forehand, and going up 7-1 in game one, which he won comfortably.
Game two was streaky, as Croft continued to do well going up 4-0. But then there was an avoidable hinder call against Croft as Carson went for a serve return, and Croft disputed the call. His frustration grew as Carson put points together and took a 6-4 lead.
But to his credit, Croft pulled it together again, and went on to win game two, 11-7.
In game three, Carson went to his usual strategy of hitting Z serves to the left with varying pace to try to put Croft off balance, and it worked. Carson won game three 11-1, although at one point it was 9-(-1), as Croft got called for a technical at 9-0, as he repeatedly hit the ball straight in after a rally as if he was practicing his down the line kill shot.
But that wasn't the only technical called in the match, as Carson got two called on him in game four, and we're not exactly sure what the calls were for. They both came early in game four, which took a long time to play. It seemed like they'd been at it for half an hour and only reached 3-3.
Then Carson put together a few points and took a 7-3 lead, so Croft called a time out. But that was to no avail, as Carson went on to win the game, 11-4.
Afterwards, Croft said he "tried to save some energy" in game four when it looked like it was going to go tie-breaker.
In the breaker, Croft took an early 3-0 lead, but Carson came back and they were tied at 3-3 and 4-4. Then Croft took an 8-4 lead, causing Carson to call time out. But Croft went on to win and make his first final of the season.
In the other semi-final, it was all Waselenchuk, who looks fully fit after missing two of the last three IRT tournaments due to injury. Rojas was close in game one, as they were tied 6-6. But three Rojas points were off serve return errors by Waselenchuk as Rojas hit nick lobs serves to the right side - Waselenchuk's backhand side.
Waselenchuk also lob served in game one, and asked about it afterwards he said he needed to "work his way into the match," because, at 31, Waselenchuk's not as young as he was when he'd just come out banging the ball.
Games two and three were comfortable wins for Waselenchuk. The match winning point was an ace drive serve straight down the left side that cracked out just past the service box.
Waselenchuk said the season's been "a struggle" but it's "nice to be playing healthy" again.
If Waselenchuk's 100%, Croft will have his hands full in the final on Sunday.
The IRT Network will web-cast the final at noon Sunday, and remember that clocks in North America are turned ahead overnight one hour for daylight savings.
2013 Florida Spring Break, Tampa, Florida
Semi-finals - Saturday
Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Rojas, 11-6, 11-2, 11-3
Ben Croft d. Rocky Carson, 11-5, 11-7, 1-11, 4-11, 11-4
Final - Sunday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Ben Croft
Follow the bouncing ball....
Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 IRT player, will be Croft's opponent in the final, as Waselenchuk defeated Jose Rojas, 11-6, 11-2, 11-3, in the other semi-final.
Croft started strong, hitting drive serves down the right side to Carson's forehand, and going up 7-1 in game one, which he won comfortably.
Game two was streaky, as Croft continued to do well going up 4-0. But then there was an avoidable hinder call against Croft as Carson went for a serve return, and Croft disputed the call. His frustration grew as Carson put points together and took a 6-4 lead.
But to his credit, Croft pulled it together again, and went on to win game two, 11-7.
In game three, Carson went to his usual strategy of hitting Z serves to the left with varying pace to try to put Croft off balance, and it worked. Carson won game three 11-1, although at one point it was 9-(-1), as Croft got called for a technical at 9-0, as he repeatedly hit the ball straight in after a rally as if he was practicing his down the line kill shot.
But that wasn't the only technical called in the match, as Carson got two called on him in game four, and we're not exactly sure what the calls were for. They both came early in game four, which took a long time to play. It seemed like they'd been at it for half an hour and only reached 3-3.
Then Carson put together a few points and took a 7-3 lead, so Croft called a time out. But that was to no avail, as Carson went on to win the game, 11-4.
Afterwards, Croft said he "tried to save some energy" in game four when it looked like it was going to go tie-breaker.
In the breaker, Croft took an early 3-0 lead, but Carson came back and they were tied at 3-3 and 4-4. Then Croft took an 8-4 lead, causing Carson to call time out. But Croft went on to win and make his first final of the season.
In the other semi-final, it was all Waselenchuk, who looks fully fit after missing two of the last three IRT tournaments due to injury. Rojas was close in game one, as they were tied 6-6. But three Rojas points were off serve return errors by Waselenchuk as Rojas hit nick lobs serves to the right side - Waselenchuk's backhand side.
Waselenchuk also lob served in game one, and asked about it afterwards he said he needed to "work his way into the match," because, at 31, Waselenchuk's not as young as he was when he'd just come out banging the ball.
Games two and three were comfortable wins for Waselenchuk. The match winning point was an ace drive serve straight down the left side that cracked out just past the service box.
Waselenchuk said the season's been "a struggle" but it's "nice to be playing healthy" again.
If Waselenchuk's 100%, Croft will have his hands full in the final on Sunday.
The IRT Network will web-cast the final at noon Sunday, and remember that clocks in North America are turned ahead overnight one hour for daylight savings.
2013 Florida Spring Break, Tampa, Florida
Semi-finals - Saturday
Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Rojas, 11-6, 11-2, 11-3
Ben Croft d. Rocky Carson, 11-5, 11-7, 1-11, 4-11, 11-4
Final - Sunday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Ben Croft
Follow the bouncing ball....
IRT - Florida Spring Break - Quarter final results
The two sides of the draw at the Florida Spring Break tournament in Tampa, Florida had different quarter finals, as those on top of the draw went three straight and those on the bottom of the draw were five game matches, where the victory came back after dropping the first two games.
The International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) top player Kane Waselenchuk defeated Tony Carson in three straight games, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4, and 4th seed Jose Rojas also won in straight games, beating Jose Diaz, 11-7, 11-3, 11-2. They'll meet in one of the semi-finals on Saturday.
IRT #2 Rocky Carson and Ben Croft will face off in the other semi-final, after both came back from two game deficits to win their respective quarter finals. Carson beat Chris Crowther, 10-12, 6-11, 11-0, 11-7, 12-10, and Croft defeated 3rd seed Alvaro Beltan, 8-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-7.
Croft's win was an upset by the seedings, but for much of the match it was Croft who was upset, as he felt several calls by the referee were incorrect. His frustration got the better of him in game two, as he was behind 8-6, but then proceeded to be assessed technicals on three consecutive rallies for hitting the ball into the back glass wall in the direction of the referee.
Nevertheless, Croft built a big lead in game three, as he went up 9-3 and then 10-4. Beltran fought back and pecked away at Croft's lead, including fighting off three game points, as he cut the score to 10-8. But that was as close as Beltran got to winning the game and the match, as Croft finished off the third game, 11-8, and then used that momentum to win games four and five.
Crowther started out well in his match with Rocky Carson, as he won the first two games using his strong drive serve, which he often hit to the right side - Carson's forehand. But momentum changed in game three, as Carson ran the table winning 11-0.
In game four, Crowther led 7-5, when Carson was assessed a technical for disputing a call, making the score 7-4. But that seemed to inspire Carson, as he went on a four point run to take an 8-7 lead, at which point Crowther called time out.
The time out was to no avail, however, as Carson closed out the game, 11-7, to force a tie-breaker. In the breaker, Carson led through the early part of the game at 4-1 and 8-4. But then Crowther put a six point streak together to give him match point at 10-8.
Yet Crowther couldn't close it out in two opportunities, as Carson held him off and put a four point streak of his own to win the game, 12-10, and take the match in five games.
The IRT Network will web-cast the semi-final matches from Tampa beginning at 4 PM EST Saturday. The final will be noon on Sunday, but remember that is the day clocks in North America are turned ahead one hour for daylight savings.
2013 Florida Spring Break, Tampa, Florida
Quarter finals - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk d. Tony Carson, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4
Jose Rojas d. Jose Diaz, 11-7, 11-3, 11-2
Ben Croft d. Alvaro Beltran, 8-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-7
Rocky Carson d. Chris Crowther, 10-12, 6-11, 11-0, 11-7, 12-10
Semi-finals - Saturday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Rojas - 5 PM EST
Rocky Carson v. Ben Croft - 4 PM EST
Follow the bouncing ball....
The International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) top player Kane Waselenchuk defeated Tony Carson in three straight games, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4, and 4th seed Jose Rojas also won in straight games, beating Jose Diaz, 11-7, 11-3, 11-2. They'll meet in one of the semi-finals on Saturday.
IRT #2 Rocky Carson and Ben Croft will face off in the other semi-final, after both came back from two game deficits to win their respective quarter finals. Carson beat Chris Crowther, 10-12, 6-11, 11-0, 11-7, 12-10, and Croft defeated 3rd seed Alvaro Beltan, 8-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-7.
Croft's win was an upset by the seedings, but for much of the match it was Croft who was upset, as he felt several calls by the referee were incorrect. His frustration got the better of him in game two, as he was behind 8-6, but then proceeded to be assessed technicals on three consecutive rallies for hitting the ball into the back glass wall in the direction of the referee.
Nevertheless, Croft built a big lead in game three, as he went up 9-3 and then 10-4. Beltran fought back and pecked away at Croft's lead, including fighting off three game points, as he cut the score to 10-8. But that was as close as Beltran got to winning the game and the match, as Croft finished off the third game, 11-8, and then used that momentum to win games four and five.
Crowther started out well in his match with Rocky Carson, as he won the first two games using his strong drive serve, which he often hit to the right side - Carson's forehand. But momentum changed in game three, as Carson ran the table winning 11-0.
In game four, Crowther led 7-5, when Carson was assessed a technical for disputing a call, making the score 7-4. But that seemed to inspire Carson, as he went on a four point run to take an 8-7 lead, at which point Crowther called time out.
The time out was to no avail, however, as Carson closed out the game, 11-7, to force a tie-breaker. In the breaker, Carson led through the early part of the game at 4-1 and 8-4. But then Crowther put a six point streak together to give him match point at 10-8.
Yet Crowther couldn't close it out in two opportunities, as Carson held him off and put a four point streak of his own to win the game, 12-10, and take the match in five games.
The IRT Network will web-cast the semi-final matches from Tampa beginning at 4 PM EST Saturday. The final will be noon on Sunday, but remember that is the day clocks in North America are turned ahead one hour for daylight savings.
2013 Florida Spring Break, Tampa, Florida
Quarter finals - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk d. Tony Carson, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4
Jose Rojas d. Jose Diaz, 11-7, 11-3, 11-2
Ben Croft d. Alvaro Beltran, 8-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-7
Rocky Carson d. Chris Crowther, 10-12, 6-11, 11-0, 11-7, 12-10
Semi-finals - Saturday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Rojas - 5 PM EST
Rocky Carson v. Ben Croft - 4 PM EST
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, March 8, 2013
IRT - Florida Spring Break - Round of 16 results
Jose Diaz had the only upset in the Round of 16 at the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) Florida Spring Break tournament in Tampa, Florida, as he defeated Shane Vanderson in four games, 2-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-5. Diaz will play fellow Stockton, California player Jose Rojas in the quarter finals later on Friday. Rojas beat Alex Ackermann in three straight games, 11-9, 12-10, 11-5.
The top seeds advanced easily. IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk beat Jansen Allen, 11-2, 11-3, 11-1, and #2 Rocky Carson defeated Aaron Metcalf, 11-2, 11-4, 11-2. Waselenchuk will face Tony Carson in the quarters, as Tony Carson beat Javier Moreno, 11-5, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9. Rocky Carson's next opponent will be Chris Crowther, who was a winner over Mike Harmon, 11-1, 11-7, 11-1.
The IRT Network will web-cast the quarter final matches from Tampa beginning at 3 PM EST Friday.
2013 Florida Spring Break, Tampa, Florida
Round of 16 - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk d. Jansen Allen, 11-2, 11-3, 11-1
Tony Carson d. Javier Moreno, 11-5, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9
Jose Diaz d. Shane Vanderson, 2-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-5
Jose Rojas d. Alex Ackermann, 11-9, 12-10, 11-5
Alvaro Beltran d. Marco Rojas, 11-3, 11-6, 11-6
Ben Croft d. Brad Schopieray, 11-8, 11-2, 11-1
Chris Crowther d. Mike Harmon, 11-1, 11-7, 11-1
Rocky Carson d. Aaron Metcalf, 11-2, 11-4, 11-2
Quarter finals - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Tony Carson
Jose Rojas v. Jose Diaz
Alvaro Beltran v. Ben Croft
Rocky Carson v. Chris Crowther
Follow the bouncing ball....
The top seeds advanced easily. IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk beat Jansen Allen, 11-2, 11-3, 11-1, and #2 Rocky Carson defeated Aaron Metcalf, 11-2, 11-4, 11-2. Waselenchuk will face Tony Carson in the quarters, as Tony Carson beat Javier Moreno, 11-5, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9. Rocky Carson's next opponent will be Chris Crowther, who was a winner over Mike Harmon, 11-1, 11-7, 11-1.
The IRT Network will web-cast the quarter final matches from Tampa beginning at 3 PM EST Friday.
2013 Florida Spring Break, Tampa, Florida
Round of 16 - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk d. Jansen Allen, 11-2, 11-3, 11-1
Tony Carson d. Javier Moreno, 11-5, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9
Jose Diaz d. Shane Vanderson, 2-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-5
Jose Rojas d. Alex Ackermann, 11-9, 12-10, 11-5
Alvaro Beltran d. Marco Rojas, 11-3, 11-6, 11-6
Ben Croft d. Brad Schopieray, 11-8, 11-2, 11-1
Chris Crowther d. Mike Harmon, 11-1, 11-7, 11-1
Rocky Carson d. Aaron Metcalf, 11-2, 11-4, 11-2
Quarter finals - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Tony Carson
Jose Rojas v. Jose Diaz
Alvaro Beltran v. Ben Croft
Rocky Carson v. Chris Crowther
Follow the bouncing ball....
IRT - Florida Spring Break Preliminary Round Results
Two surprises from the qualifying rounds of the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) Florida Spring Break tournament in Tampa, Florida. Mike Harmon defeated veteran Andy Hawthorne, 11-2, 12-10, 6-11, 13-11, on Thursday to advance to Friday's Round of 16, when he'll play Chris Crowther.
Also, Aaron Metcalf won two matches to reach the 16s. He defeated Arthur Schmeiser, 4-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4, and David Stincer, 11-5, 11-3, 11-9. Metcalf will face IRT #2 Rocky Carson on Friday.
The IRT Network will be web-casting the Round of 16 and the quarter final matches from Tampa beginning Friday March 8 at 10 AM EST.
2013 Florida Spring Break, Tampa, Florida
Round 2 - Thursday
Q8: Jansen Allen d. David Horn, 11-4, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7
Q1: Javier Moreno d. Joe Delfino, 11-5, 11-2, 11-8
Q4: Jose Diaz d. Scott Gargasz, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4
Q5: Alex Ackermann d. Cesar Castillo, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5
Q6: Marco Rojas d. Andrew Gale, 8-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-1
Q3: Brad Schopieray d. Roberto Santander, 11-1, 11-1, 11-4
Q2: Mike Harmon d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-2, 12-10, 6-11, 13-11
Q7: Aaron Metcalf d. David Stincer, 11-5, 11-3, 11-9
Main Draw - Round of 16 - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Jansen Allen
Tony Carson v. Javier Moreno
Shane Vanderson v. Jose Diaz
Jose Rojas v. Alex Ackermann
Alvaro Beltran v. Marco Rojas
Ben Croft v. Brad Schopieray
Chris Crowther v. Mike Harmon
Rocky Carson v. Aaron Metcalf
Round 1 - Thursday
David Horn d. Allan Hernandez, 11-3, 12-10, 8-11, 11-4
Jansen Allen d. Dan Fowler, WBF
Joe Delfino d. Wesley Miller, 11-9, 10-12, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8
Scott Gargasz d. Franciso Troncoso, 11-4, 11-7, 2-11, 11-8
Cesar Castillo d. Nick Hand, 11-3, 11-2, 11-3
Andrew Gale d. Andrew Depiro
Roberto Santander d. Alec Wasilonsky, 11-2, 11-1, 11-8
Mike Harmon d. Joe Workman, 11-5, 11-4, 11-3
Aaron Metcalf d. Arthur Schmeiser, 4-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4
David Stincer d. Luis Reveron
Follow the bouncing ball....
Also, Aaron Metcalf won two matches to reach the 16s. He defeated Arthur Schmeiser, 4-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4, and David Stincer, 11-5, 11-3, 11-9. Metcalf will face IRT #2 Rocky Carson on Friday.
The IRT Network will be web-casting the Round of 16 and the quarter final matches from Tampa beginning Friday March 8 at 10 AM EST.
2013 Florida Spring Break, Tampa, Florida
Round 2 - Thursday
Q8: Jansen Allen d. David Horn, 11-4, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7
Q1: Javier Moreno d. Joe Delfino, 11-5, 11-2, 11-8
Q4: Jose Diaz d. Scott Gargasz, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4
Q5: Alex Ackermann d. Cesar Castillo, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5
Q6: Marco Rojas d. Andrew Gale, 8-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-1
Q3: Brad Schopieray d. Roberto Santander, 11-1, 11-1, 11-4
Q2: Mike Harmon d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-2, 12-10, 6-11, 13-11
Q7: Aaron Metcalf d. David Stincer, 11-5, 11-3, 11-9
Main Draw - Round of 16 - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Jansen Allen
Tony Carson v. Javier Moreno
Shane Vanderson v. Jose Diaz
Jose Rojas v. Alex Ackermann
Alvaro Beltran v. Marco Rojas
Ben Croft v. Brad Schopieray
Chris Crowther v. Mike Harmon
Rocky Carson v. Aaron Metcalf
Round 1 - Thursday
David Horn d. Allan Hernandez, 11-3, 12-10, 8-11, 11-4
Jansen Allen d. Dan Fowler, WBF
Joe Delfino d. Wesley Miller, 11-9, 10-12, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8
Scott Gargasz d. Franciso Troncoso, 11-4, 11-7, 2-11, 11-8
Cesar Castillo d. Nick Hand, 11-3, 11-2, 11-3
Andrew Gale d. Andrew Depiro
Roberto Santander d. Alec Wasilonsky, 11-2, 11-1, 11-8
Mike Harmon d. Joe Workman, 11-5, 11-4, 11-3
Aaron Metcalf d. Arthur Schmeiser, 4-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4
David Stincer d. Luis Reveron
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, March 7, 2013
IRT - 2013 Florida Spring Break - Waselenchuk returns
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is back this weekend after almost a two month hiatus with the Florida Spring Break tournament in Tampa, Florida. IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk, who missed the second event of 2013 due to injury, is back and looking to extend his winning streak. IRT #2 Rocky Carson went five games with Waselenchuk in the final of the California Open in January, but it was a losing effort. Carson will be looking to come out on top this time.
Carson won the last IRT event the New York City Pro-Am on Long Island, where he defeated Jose Rojas. Rojas is seeded 4th and will have to go through Waselenchuk if he's going to reach the final in Florida. Alvaro Beltran is the 3rd seed.
There are also some good young players in the qualifying draw, including Jansen Allen, Alex Ackermann, Jose Diaz and Brad Schopieray, who will all be looking to get to the Round of 16 and cause some upsets.
The IRT Network will be web-casting matches from Tampa beginning Thursday March 7 at 7 PM EST.
2013 Florida Spring Break, Tampa, Florida
Round 1 - Thursday
David Horn v. Allan Hernandez
Jansen Allen v. Dan Fowler
Joe Delfino v. Wesley Miller
Franciso Troncoso v. Scott Gargasz
Cesar Castillo v. Nick Hand
Andrew Gale v. Andrew Depiro
Roberto Santander v. Alec Wasilonsky
Mike Harmon v. Joe Workman
Arthur Schmeiser v. Aaron Metcalf
Luis Reveron v. David Stincer
Round 2 - Thursday
Q8: David Horn or Allan Hernandez v. Jansen Allen or Dan Fowler
Q1: Javier Moreno v. Joe Delfino or Wesley Miller
Q4: Jose Diaz v. Franciso Troncoso or Scott Gargasz
Q5: Alex Ackermann v. Cesar Castillo or Nick Hand
Q6: Marco Rojas v. Andrew Gale or Andrew Depiro
Q3: Brad Schopieray v. Roberto Santander or Alec Wasilonsky
Q2: Andy Hawthorne v. Mike Harmon or Joe Workman
Q7: Arthur Schmeiser or Aaron Metcalf v. Luis Reveron or David Stincer
Main Draw - Round of 16 - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Tony Carson v. Q1
Shane Vanderson v. Q4
Jose Rojas v. Q5
Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
Ben Croft v. Q3
Chris Crowther v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Carson won the last IRT event the New York City Pro-Am on Long Island, where he defeated Jose Rojas. Rojas is seeded 4th and will have to go through Waselenchuk if he's going to reach the final in Florida. Alvaro Beltran is the 3rd seed.
There are also some good young players in the qualifying draw, including Jansen Allen, Alex Ackermann, Jose Diaz and Brad Schopieray, who will all be looking to get to the Round of 16 and cause some upsets.
The IRT Network will be web-casting matches from Tampa beginning Thursday March 7 at 7 PM EST.
2013 Florida Spring Break, Tampa, Florida
Round 1 - Thursday
David Horn v. Allan Hernandez
Jansen Allen v. Dan Fowler
Joe Delfino v. Wesley Miller
Franciso Troncoso v. Scott Gargasz
Cesar Castillo v. Nick Hand
Andrew Gale v. Andrew Depiro
Roberto Santander v. Alec Wasilonsky
Mike Harmon v. Joe Workman
Arthur Schmeiser v. Aaron Metcalf
Luis Reveron v. David Stincer
Round 2 - Thursday
Q8: David Horn or Allan Hernandez v. Jansen Allen or Dan Fowler
Q1: Javier Moreno v. Joe Delfino or Wesley Miller
Q4: Jose Diaz v. Franciso Troncoso or Scott Gargasz
Q5: Alex Ackermann v. Cesar Castillo or Nick Hand
Q6: Marco Rojas v. Andrew Gale or Andrew Depiro
Q3: Brad Schopieray v. Roberto Santander or Alec Wasilonsky
Q2: Andy Hawthorne v. Mike Harmon or Joe Workman
Q7: Arthur Schmeiser or Aaron Metcalf v. Luis Reveron or David Stincer
Main Draw - Round of 16 - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Tony Carson v. Q1
Shane Vanderson v. Q4
Jose Rojas v. Q5
Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
Ben Croft v. Q3
Chris Crowther v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
LPRT Rankings - Acosta 3rd, highest ranking ever
Susy Acosta has reached a career high in the latest Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) rankings, as she sits 3rd behind #1 Paola Longoria and #2 Rhonda Rajsich.
Acosta moved ahead of Cheryl Gudinas based on her semi-final result at last month's Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas, where Gudinas lost in the quarter finals.
Also moving up is Adrienne Fisher, who's 5th ahead of Krystal Csuk in 6th. Holding steady are Kerri Wachtel in 7th, Samantha Salas 8th, and Jennifer Saunders 9th.
Rounding out the top 10 is Grace Hughes, who breaks into the top 10 for the first time in her career. Her rise pushes Cristina Amaya back to 11th.
The next LPRT event will be held in conduction with the Southern California Regionals in Reseda, California April 12-14.
LPRT Rankings - February 26, 2013
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1932.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1280.40
3 Susy Acosta (Mexico) 493.50
4 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 487.50
5 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 443.75
6 Krystal Csuk (USA) 418.20
7 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 391.75
8 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 388.50
9 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 307.50
10 Grace Hughes (USA) 304.90
11 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 303.75
12 Da'monique Davis (USA) 253.35
13 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 249.75
14 Jackie Paraiso (USA) 210.00
15 Kristen Bellows (USA) 190.75
16 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 149.75
17 Laura Brandt (USA) 138.75
18 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 112.50
19 Keely Franks (USA) 104.75
20 Linda Scales (USA) 103.50
Follow the bouncing ball....
Acosta moved ahead of Cheryl Gudinas based on her semi-final result at last month's Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas, where Gudinas lost in the quarter finals.
Also moving up is Adrienne Fisher, who's 5th ahead of Krystal Csuk in 6th. Holding steady are Kerri Wachtel in 7th, Samantha Salas 8th, and Jennifer Saunders 9th.
Rounding out the top 10 is Grace Hughes, who breaks into the top 10 for the first time in her career. Her rise pushes Cristina Amaya back to 11th.
The next LPRT event will be held in conduction with the Southern California Regionals in Reseda, California April 12-14.
LPRT Rankings - February 26, 2013
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1932.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1280.40
3 Susy Acosta (Mexico) 493.50
4 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 487.50
5 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 443.75
6 Krystal Csuk (USA) 418.20
7 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 391.75
8 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 388.50
9 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 307.50
10 Grace Hughes (USA) 304.90
11 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 303.75
12 Da'monique Davis (USA) 253.35
13 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 249.75
14 Jackie Paraiso (USA) 210.00
15 Kristen Bellows (USA) 190.75
16 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 149.75
17 Laura Brandt (USA) 138.75
18 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 112.50
19 Keely Franks (USA) 104.75
20 Linda Scales (USA) 103.50
Follow the bouncing ball....
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