USA Racquetball is running both its National Doubles and Singles Championships together this week at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. But for National Team Qualifying purposes they will only be competing in Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles divisions. USA Racquetball will have National Team Qualifying for Men’s and Women’s Singles May 25-28 in Lombard, Illinois.
Last year’s champions are the top seeds this year - Rocky Carson and Charlie Pratt in Men’s Doubles, Kelani Lawrence and Hollie Scott in Women’s Doubles and Michelle De La Rosa and Alejandro Landa in Mixed Doubles - but perhaps the most interesting - and baffling - name in the draw is Daniel De La Rosa. Yes, THAT Daniel De La Rosa.
De La Rosa is baffling, because he represented Mexico just last year, so we don’t think he would be eligible to represent the USA this year. Players can switch national allegiance, and Alejandro Landa, who is De La Rosa’s partner in Men’s Doubles, did so a few years ago. But our understanding is there needs to be a gap in international competitions of at least a year.
Now, this year’s biggest international event is the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile in October. Last year’s International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico - De La Rosa’s hometown - were in August, so there will be over 12 months between the 2022 World Championships and the 2023 Pan American Games. Perhaps that means De La Rosa would be eligible to represent the USA in Chile, although being in a major event for one nation in one calendar year and then for another country in the next calendar year seems to be stretching - if not actually breaking - the eligibility rule.
De La Rosa is also playing Mixed Doubles, although not with his wife Michelle, who as mentioned is the defending Mixed Doubles champion with Landa. Daniel De La Rosa is playing with Hollie Scott. They are the 4th seeds, so there could be a De La Rosa showdown in the Mixed Doubles semi-finals.
There are some notable names the Women’s Doubles draw. Former IRF World Champions Aimee Roehler and Janel Tisinger-Ledkins are the 4th seeds, and Rhonda Rajsich is back playing with Sheryl Lotts, and they are seeded 2nd. The semi-finals could be Roehler and Tisinger-Ledkins versus top seeds Lawrence and Scott, and Rajsich and Lotts versus 3rd seeds Erika Manilla and Michelle De La Rosa.
Mixed Doubles play begins Thursday, while Men’s and Women’s Doubles will begin Friday. The Mixed final will be Saturday night, while the Men’s and Women’s finals will be on Sunday. Check out the action live from Tempe via the USA Racquetball YouTube channel. Note the match times below are Mountain Standard time.
2023 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
February 1-5, 2023 - Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's Doubles
Round of 16
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt - BYE
8) Robert Collins & Danny Lavely d. 9) Jack Goldberg & Charles Rankin, forfeit
5) Jason Samora & Jeff Stark - BYE
4) Wayne Antone & Adam Manilla - BYE
3) Daniel De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa - BYE
6) Thomas Gerhardt & Brent Walters - BYE
7) Iain Dunn & Paul Saraceno - BYE
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck - BYE
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt v. 8) Robert Collins & Danny Lavely - 5:40 PM
4) Wayne Antone & Adam Manilla v. 5) Jason Samora & Jeff Stark - 3:30 PM
3) Daniel De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa v. 6) Thomas Gerhardt & Brent Walters - 7:40 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck v. 7) Iain Dunn & Paul Saraceno - 1:20 PM
Women's Doubles
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott v. 8) Carlee Jansz & Katie Neils - 6:40 PM
4) Aimee Roehler & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins v. 5) Annie Roberts & Erin Slutzky - 12:20 PM
3) Erika Manilla & Michelle De La Rosa v. 6) Naomi Ros & Lexi York — 2:30 PM
2) Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts v. 7) Erin Boadway & Fran Transfiguracion - 4:40 PM
Mixed Doubles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Michelle De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa - BYE
8) Robert Collins & Annie Roberts v. 9) Iain Dunn & Estefania Perez Picon - 11:15 AM
5) Thomas Carter & Kelani Lawrence - BYE
4) Daniel De La Rosa & Hollie Scott - BYE
3) Sam Bredenbeck & Lexi York - BYE
6) Sheryl Lotts & Charlie Pratt - BYE
7) Jake Bredenbeck & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - BYE
2) Adam Manilla & Erika Manilla - BYE
Quarterfinals - Thursday
1) Michelle De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa v. 8) Robert Collins & Annie Roberts or 9) Iain Dunn & Estefania Perez Picon - 7:25 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa & Hollie Scott v. 5) Thomas Carter & Kelani Lawrence - 1:15 PM
3) Sam Bredenbeck & Lexi York v. 6) Sheryl Lotts & Charlie Pratt - 3:25 PM
2) Adam Manilla & Erika Manilla v. 7) Jake Bredenbeck & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - 5:25 PM
Follow the bouncing ball....
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