Sunday, May 22, 2016

Waselenchuk wins 2016 IRT Coast to Coast California Open

Kane Waselenchuk closed out the 2015-16 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) with a decisive win at the Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California Saturday. Waselenchuk beat IRT #3 Daniel De La Rosa in the final, 11-4, 11-2, 11-0, for his 10th win of the season. Waselencuk won 10 of the 14 IRT events this season, so will be the #1 player in the final rankings for a record extending 11th time.

Some may look at De La Rosa as the main rival to Waselenchuk for next season, as De La Rosa was a finalist in four of the last five events. However, current IRT #2 Rocky Carson won two of the last four events, so Carson is still a solid #2.

But cracks have shown in Carson in the second half of the season, including this weekend, as De La Rosa beat Carson in the semi-finals, 11-7, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9. Also, time is on De La Rosa's side, as he's only 22 while Carson turned 37 on Saturday.

They will likely both represent their respective countries - USA for Carson and Mexico for De La Rosa - in the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in July in Cali, Colombia, where Carson will try to win a 5th straight World Championship. If De La Rosa could prevent that, it would bode well for the next IRT season beginning in the fall.

2016 IRT Coast to Coast California Open, May 19-21
Reseda, California


Final - Saturday

1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 3) Daniel De La Rosa, 11-4, 11-2, 11-0

Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 4) Alvaro Beltran, 11-3, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6
3) Daniel De La Rosa d. 2) Rocky Carson, 11-7, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9

Follow the bouncing ball….

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