IRT Rankings - Carson rises to #1, ahead of Waselenchuk

Only one change in the top 10 in the latest International Racquetball Tour (IRT) rankings, but it's a doozy, as Rocky Carson moves up to #1 ahead of Kane Waselenchuk, who drops to #2. The difference is only 10 points, and it's mainly due to inactivity by Waselenchuk, who wasn't in last week's Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan.

But it does speak to Carson's durability and high level of play, as you have to go back to Florida in 2012 to find the last time Carson didn't reach the semi-finals of a tournament (he lost to Alvaro Beltan in the quarters there), and he hasn't missed any tournaments in the span either. That's a long record of excellence.

Waselenchuk will still be the favourite to win the next event he enters, regardless of where he's ranked, which might not be as #1, because Waselenchuk won't be in this weekend's 23rd Turkey Shoot tournament in Garden City, Kansas, citing an injury as the reason for his absence. Of course, it also depends on how Carson does this weekend.

In the next ten, Jose Diaz continues to rise up the rankings, and is now #11. Also, the veteran Cliff Swain, bolstered by his semi-final finish last weekend, is up to #16.

The IRT's fourth event of 2013-14 is the 23rd Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas beginning tomorrow November 14 and running to Sunday November 17.

IRT Rankings - November 12, 2013

Rank - Player - Country - Points

1 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3454
2 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3444
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 2572
4 Jose ROJAS (USA) 2210
5 Ben CROFT (USA) 2164

6 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 1690
7 Tony CARSON (USA) 1418
8 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 1561
9 Marco ROJAS (USA) 1102
10 Jansen ALLEN (USA) 1019

11 Jose DIAZ (USA) 914
12 Andy HAWTHORNE (USA) 868
13 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 800
14 Alex ACKERMANN (USA) 760
15 Javier MORENO (Mexico) 749

16 Brad SCHOPIERAY (USA) 689
17 Cliff Swain (USA) 662
18 Anthony HERRERA (USA) 644
19 Shane VANDERSON (USA) 544
20 David HORN (USA) 521

Follow the bouncing ball....