Kane Waselenchuk beat Conrrado Moscoso, 15-9, 15-6, to win the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 39th Annual Papa Nicholas Shamrock Shootout in Lombard, Illinois, Sunday. It’s his second consecutive title, and the first time since 2020 that he’s won back to back IRT titles. Moscoso came in as the #1 IRT player, and Waselenchuk #8, although the win should move Waselenchuk up a couple of spots in the rankings.
It was #1 versus #2 in the doubles final, as top seeds Adam Manilla and Andree Parrilla squared off against 2nd seeds Rodrigo Montoya and Erick Trujillo. Manilla and Parrilla won, but they needed three games to claim the victory, winning 15-7, 7-15, 11-6. It’s also Manilla and Parrilla’s second consecutive doubles title.
At the start of game one of the singles final, it looked like Moscoso might win, as he took an early 3-0 lead. Waselenchuk then scored five straight points to lead 5-3. Moscoso tied it at 5-5, and they were also tied at 6-6.
Then Waselenchuk went ahead, and when he got to 10-4, Moscoso called a timeout. He managed to get back within two points at 11-9, but a winning serve return by Waselenchuk off a Moscoso drive serve to the left side - the lefthanded Waselenchuk’s forehand - then led to four straight points on as many rallies, which ended game one at 15-9.
Mosocso also had a lead early in game two at 4-3. But Waselenchuk tied it at 4-4, and pushed on to lead 10-4, and put the writing on the wall.
He finished the match off with back to back drive serve aces to the left side of the court (Mosoco’s backhand).
”I felt like I was in control the whole match,” Waselenchuk said afterwards. “It’s nice to be champ again. Funny to think that no one thought I’d … [win again], and here I am [winning] two tournaments in a row. Boy, were you guys wrong. I like proving everybody wrong.”
Could Waselenchuk finish #1 again on tour? He said “I like the competition. I like the challenge. It’s a new challenge for me,” and he has to play guys “half my age.”
We never advised of betting against Waselenchuk when he was in his prime, and we don’t advise betting against him now.
The next confirmed IRT main event is the Costa Rica Open, June 12-15, although after the doubles match Manilla said that he’d see everyone in southern California in late May, and there is a “TBD” event listed on the IRT site for May 23-26. If you missed any of the action from Illinois - and Waselenchuk’s performances are worth seeing or seeing again - check out the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. All times Central.
39th Annual Papa Nicholas IRT Shamrock Shootout
Lombard, Illinois - March 14-17, 2024
IRT Singles - Final - Sunday
6) Kane Waselenchuk d. 1) Conrrado Moscoso, 15-9, 15-6
IRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Conrrado Moscoso d. 4) Andree Parrilla, 15-12, 15-5
6) Kane Waselenchuk d. 7) Andrés Acuña, 15-4, 15-11
IRT Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Adam Manilla & Andree Parrilla d. 2) Rodrigo Montoya & Erick Trujillo, 15-7, 7-15, 11-6
IRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Adam Manilla & Andree Parrilla d. 4) Andrés Acuña & Alan Natera, 15-11, 15-10
2) Rodrigo Montoya & Erick Trujillo d. 3) Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso, 15-14, 15-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
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