Preview - 2018 IRT Florida Regional Championships

The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) ends its 2017-18 this weekend in Sarasota, Florida with the IRT Florida Regional Championships. There’s a large field of 38 players, which is highlighted by the return of Kane Waselenchuk, who hasn’t played since the Los Angeles Open in early January due to a knee injury. Waselenchuk, who has won four events this season, is 2nd seed behind Rocky Carson, as he’s dropped points due to his injury. Carson is slightly ahead of Waselenchuk in the rankings, so he could finish #1 for the first time since 2008. Waselenchuk has been #1 for the last nine seasons.

With two wins this season, Alejandro Landa has risen to #4, dropping Alvaro Beltran to #5, and in Florida Beltran is 7th seed, as they the rankings to seedings are randomized for the 5-8 ranked players in the draw. Thus, Beltran could face Waselenchuk in the quarterfinals, although he’ll likely face Andree Parrilla, another IRT event winner this season in the Round of 16.

Also notable in the draw is former top 10 player, Shane Vanderson. He’ll need to win two matches to reach the Round of 16, where he’d play Carson.

Look to the IRT Network, or the IRT Facebook page, for this weekend’s action. The Round of 16 begins Friday morning at 10 AM with the quarter finals Friday evening from 6 PM. The semi-finals will be Saturday morning at 11 AM and noon with the final Saturday at 7 PM. All times Eastern.

2018 IRT Florida Regional Championships, April 26-29, 2018
Sarasota, Florida   

Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday

Robert Collins v. Christian Longoria
Thomas Carter v. Shane Vanderson

Jansen Allen - BYE
Francisco Troncoso v. Andrés Gómez

Set Cubillos v. Sergio Acuña
Jose Diaz v. Pablo Alvarado

Felipe Camacho v. Mike Isbell
Andres Acuña v. Jose Ubilla

Sebastian Fernandez v. Ward Myers
Charlie Pratt v. Scott Graves

David Horn v. Brady Fritzgerald
Edwin Galicia v. Miguel Rodriguez Jr

Andree Parrilla - BYE
Troy Warigon v. Christian Wer

Jake Bredenbeck v. Mike Harmon
Scott McClellan v. Maurice Miller

Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday

Q8) Robert Collins or Christian Longoria v. Thomas Carter or Shane Vanderson
Q1) Jansen Allen v. Francisco Troncoso or Andrés Gómez

Q4) Set Cubillos or Sergio Acuña v. Jose Diaz or Pablo Alvarado
Q5) Felipe Camacho or Mike Isbell v. Andres Acuña or Jose Ubilla

Q6) Sebastian Fernandez or Ward Myers v. Charlie Pratt or Scott Graves
Q3) David Horn or Brady Fritzgerald v. Edwin Galicia or Miguel Rodriguez Jr

Q2) Andree Parrilla v. Troy Warigon or Christian Wer
Q7) Jake Bredenbeck or Mike Harmon v. Scott McClellan or Maurice Miller

Round of 16  - Friday

1) Rocky Carson v. Q8 - 10 AM
8) Mario Mercado v. Q1 - 10 AM

5) Sebastian Franco v. Q4 - 10 AM
4) Alejandro Landa v. Q5 - 10 AM

3) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q6 - 11 AM
6) Samuel Murray v. Q3 - 11 AM

7) Alvaro Beltran   v. Q2 - 11 AM
2) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q7 - 11 AM

Follow the bouncing ball….