Wednesday, May 21, 2025

USAR Indoor Championships - Ros’s 1st title, Carson’s 12th

The 2025 USA Racquetball (USAR) National Indoor Championships concluded Sunday in Pleasanton, California, and across the five national team divisions there was only one multiple winner, and that due to the recent addition of mixed doubles. Erika Manilla won mixed doubles with Erik Garcia early in the event, and then won women’s doubles with Michelle Key.

But the women’s singles title went to Naomi Ros, who defeated Hollie Scott in a dramatic five game final, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10. It’s the first title for Ros, who is also the USAR’s U18 champion.

While the women’s singles champion was a surprise, the men’s singles champion was not, as Daniel De La Rosa defeated Jake Bredenbeck in four games, 7-11, 11-6, 13-11, 11-7.

In Men's Doubles, the veteran team of Rocky Carson and David Horn surprised the field but upsetting the 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Sam Bredenbeck in the final, 11-9, 5-11, 12-10, 8-11, 12-10, after knocking off top seeds De La Rosa and Sebastian Fernandez in the semi-finals. It’s Carson’s 12th US men’s doubles championship.

If you missed any of the action, check out the matches that were streamed via the USAR YouTube channel and International Racquetball Tour channel.

2025 USA Racquetball National Indoor Championships
Pleasanton, California
US National Team Divisions

Men's US Team Singles

Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Jake Bredenbeck d. 4) Thomas Carter, 11-1, 9-11, 11-0, 7-11, 11-1
3) Daniel De La Rosa d. 2) David Horn, 11-7, 11-5, 12-10

Final - Sunday

3) Daniel De La Rosa d. 1) Jake Bredenbeck, 7-11, 11-6, 13-11, 11-7

Men's US Team Doubles

Semi-finals - Friday

4) Rocky Carson & David Horn d. 1) Daniel De La Rosa & Sebastian Fernandez, 9-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck d. 3) Robert Collins & Charlie Pratt, 11-5, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7

Final - Saturday

4) Rocky Carson & David Horn d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck, 11-9, 5-11, 12-10, 8-11, 12-10

Women's US Team Singles

Semi-finals - Saturday

4) Hollie Scott d. 1) Erika Manilla, 12-10, 9-11, 5-11, 11-5, 11-5
2) Naomi Ros d. 6) Annie Sanchez, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5

Final - Sunday

2) Naomi Ros d. 4) Hollie Scott, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10

Women's US Team Doubles

Round robin

Lexi York & Hollie Scott d. Naomi Ros & Annie Sanchez, 11-5, 11-7, 10-12, 5-11, 11-6
Michelle Key & Erika Manilla d. Naomi Ros & Annie Sanchez, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-5
Michelle Key & Erika Manilla d. Lexi York & Hollie Scott, 10-12, 11-3, 10-12, 11-8, 11-7

Standings

1) Michelle Key & Erika Manilla - 2-0
2) Lexi York & Hollie Scott - 1-1
3) Naomi Rios & Annie Sanchez - 0-2

Follow the bouncing ball....

Friday, May 16, 2025

2025 USAR National Indoor Championships - Early rounds

The 2025 USA Racquetball (USAR) National Indoor Championships are underway in Pleasanton, California, and already one national champion has been named, and it’s a bit of a surprise. Third seeds Erika Manilla and Erik Garcia came back from a game down to defeat 5th seeds Robert Collins and Annie Sanchez, 11-5, 7-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7, and win the Mixed Doubles title.

That final result isn’t a surprise as it’s not an upset when a 3rd seed defeats a 5th seed. The surprises came in the semi-finals, as Collins and Sanchez knocked off the top seeds Daniel De La Rosa and Hollie Scott in four games, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6. Then Manilla and Garcia did the same to 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Michelle Key, 2-11, 11-7, 11-4, 12-10.

There was also a surprise in Men's Doubles, as 4th seeds Rocky Carson and David Horn upset top seeds Daniel De La Rosa and Sebastian Fernandez, 9-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8, in the semi-finals Friday. They'll face the winner of 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Sam Bredenbeck and 3rd seeds Robert Collins and Charlie Pratt, in the final on Saturday.

No surprises so far in singles play. In the men’s quarterfinals, top seed Jake Bredenbeck beat 9th seed Erik Garcia, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9, and will face 4th seed Thomas Carter in the semi-finals, as Carter defeated 5th seed Charles Pratt, 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9.

The other semi-final will be David Horn versus Daniel De La Rosa, although both of them needed five games to win their respective quarterfinals. Horn, the 2nd seed, went down 2-0 to 7th seed Robert Collins, but turned it around to win in five games, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7. De La Rosa came back from a game down to eke out a win in the tie-breaker and defeat 6th seed Sam Bredenbeck, 11-8, 5-11, 8-11, 11-4, 12-10.

In the women’s quarters, top seed Erika Manilla needed five games to fend off 8th seed Michelle Key, 11-3, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-9. She’ll play 4th seed Hollie Scott in the semi-finals, as Scott defeated veteran Rhonda Rajsich, 11-13, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7.

In the other semi, 2nd seed Naomi Ros will play 6th seed Annie Sanchez. Ros narrowly defeated 7th seed Lexi York, 11-13, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 12-10, in the quarters, while Sanchez had a walk-over win against Kelani Lawrence.

There are just three teams in Women’s Doubles: Key and Manilla are top seeds, York and Scott are 2nd seeds, with Ros and Sanchez 3rd seeds. Only one match has happened so far with York and Scott coming back from 2-1 down to defeat Ros and Sanchez, 11-5, 11-7, 10-12, 5-11, 11-6.

Matches are being streamed via the USAR YouTube channel and International Racquetball Tour channel.

2025 USA Racquetball National Indoor Championships
Pleasanton, California
US National Team Divisions

Men's US Team Singles

Round of 16

1) Jake Bredenbeck d. 16) John Wolfe, 11-2, 11-7, 11-4
9) Erik Garcia d. 8) Cole Sendrey, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 10-12, 11-3

5) Charles Pratt d. 12) Scott Burr, forfeit
4) Thomas Carter d. 13) Seth Sullivan, 11-0, 11-4, 11-5

3) Daniel De La Rosa d. 14) Alan Sharma, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5
6) Sam Bredenbeck d. 11) Tyler Breaden, 11-7, 11-6, 11-4

7) Robert Collins d. 10) Danny Lavely, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8
2) David Horn d. 15) Tony Jammal, 11-4, 11-3, 11-3

Quarterfinals

1) Jake Bredenbeck d. 9) Erik Garcia, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9
4) Thomas Carter d. 5) Charles Pratt, 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9

3) Daniel De La Rosa d. 6) Sam Bredenbeck, 11-8, 5-11, 8-11, 11-4, 12-10
2) David Horn d. 7) Robert Collins, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7

Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Jake Bredenbeck v. 4) Thomas Carter - Noon
2) David Horn v. 3) Daniel De La Rosa - 2 PM

Men's US Team Doubles

Quarterfinals

1) Daniel De La Rosa & Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
4) Rocky Carson & David Horn d. 5) Danny Lavely & Cole Sendrey, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5

3) Robert Collins & Charlie Pratt - BYE
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck - BYE

Semi-finals - Friday

4) Rocky Carson & David Horn d. 1) Daniel De La Rosa & Sebastian Fernandez, 9-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck v. 3) Robert Collins & Charlie Pratt - 8 PM

Final - Saturday

2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck or 3) Robert Collins & Charlie Pratt v. 4) Rocky Carson & David Horn - 5 PM

Women's US Team Singles

Round of 16

1) Erika Manilla - BYE
8) Michelle Key d. 9) Erica Williams, 11-7, 11-0, 11-2

5) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
4) Hollie Scott - BYE

3) Kelani Lawrence - BYE
6) Annie Sanchez - BYE

7) Lexi York - BYE
2) Naomi Ros - BYE

Quarterfinals

1) Erika Manilla d. 8) Michelle Key, 11-3, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-9
4) Hollie Scott d. 5) Rhonda Rajsich, 11-13, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7

6) Annie Sanchez d. 3) Kelani Lawrence, forfeit
2) Naomi Ros d. 7) Lexi York, 11-13, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 12-10

Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Erika Manilla v. 4) Hollie Scott - 1 PM
2) Naomi Ros v. 6) Annie Sanchez - 3 PM

Women's US Team Doubles

Round robin

Lexi York & Hollie Scott d. Naomi Ros & Annie Sanchez, 11-5, 11-7, 10-12, 5-11, 11-6
Michelle Key & Erika Manilla v. Naomi Ros & Annie Sanchez - Friday 6 PM
Michelle Key & Erika Manilla v. Lexi York & Hollie Scott - Saturday 6 PM

Standings

1) Lexi York & Hollie Scott - 1-0
2) Michelle Key & Erika Manilla - 0-0
3) Naomi Rios & Annie Sanchez - 0-1

US Team Mixed Doubles

Quarterfinals

1) Daniel De La Rosa & Hollie Scott - BYE
5) Robert Collins & Annie Sanchez d. 4) Sam Bredenbeck & Lexi York, 11-8, 11-9, 4-11, 11-8

3) Erika Manilla & Erik Garcia d. 6) Naomi Ros & Cole Sendero, 11-7, 11-3, 9-11, 7-11, 11-2
Jake Bredenbeck & Michelle Key d. 7) Jesse Rita & Erica Williams, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5

Semi-finals

5) Robert Collins & Annie Sanchez d. 1) Daniel De La Rosa & Hollie Scott, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6
3) Erika Manilla & Erik Garcia d. Jake Bredenbeck & Michelle Key, 2-11, 11-7, 11-4, 12-10

Final

3) Erika Manilla & Erik Garcia d. 5) Robert Collins & Annie Sanchez, 11-5, 7-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7

Follow the bouncing ball....

Thursday, April 24, 2025

2025 Pan American Racquetball Championships - Medal Summary

The XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships wrapped up last weekend in Guatemala City, so it’s time for a review of what happened. Players from four countries took home gold medals. There were two to Argentina, Bolivia and Mexico, and one to Chile.

Carla Muñoz and Alan Natera won Chile’s gold medal in Mixed Doubles. It was the veteran Muñoz’s first gold medal, and the first won by Chile at the Pan American Championships.

Argentina’s Natalia Mendez also won gold in Guatemala, as well as three other medals. A whole set plus one. She won gold in Women’s Doubles with Valeria Centellas, and they were silver medalists in the Women’s Team event, and Mendez was also runner up to Mexican Montserrat Mejia in Women’s Singles. Finally, she got bronze in Mixed Doubles with Gerson Miranda Martinez.

Two athletes won three medals. Conrrado Moscoso of Bolivia won gold in Men’s Doubles with Kadim Carrasco and gold in the Men’s Team event (with Carrasco and Carlos Keller), as well as bronze in Men’s Singles. Alexandra Herrera took home gold in the Women’s Team event (with Mejia and Samantha Salas), as well as silver in Women’s Doubles (with Salas) and bronze in Women’s Singles.

If there were any surprise medalists they might be the Costa Ricans Larissa Faeth and Jimena Gomez, got earned bronze in Women’s Doubles. They defeated Chileans Muñoz and Paula Mansilla in the quarterfinals to get on the podium, losing to Mexican veterans Herrera and Salas in the semi-finals. It’s an impressive result for two teenagers.

Upcoming international events

Racquetball will be contested at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China this August. Racquetball will be played in the second part of the games with play beginning on August 13 and finishing on the last day of the games, August 17.

The World Games will have Men’s and Women’s Singles as well as Mixed Doubles, which is a first. There was doubles racquetball at the first World Games in 1981, but since then only singles has been offered in the games.

The XX Bolivarian Games will be held in Lima, Peru, November 22 to December 7, and the 2025 World Junior Racquetball Championships will be in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in December. The dates haven’t been set for World Juniors yet, and may be influenced by the Bolivarian Games, as some countries may want to send junior athletes to Lima (especially as juniors go up the U21 now), so not want any time conflict with World Juniors.

If you missed any of the action from Guatemala last week, and there were several good matches, check out the International Racquetball Federation YouTube channel for matches.

XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 12-19, 2025

Women's Singles Medalists

Gold: Montserrat Mejia (Mexico)
Silver: Natalia Mendez (Argentina)
Bronze: Lexi York (USA) & Alexandra Herrera (Mexico)

Men's Singles Medalists

Gold: Diego Garcia (Argentina)
Silver: Javier Mar (Mexico)
Bronze: Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) & Samuel Murray (Canada)

Women's Doubles - Medalists

Gold: Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina)
Silver: Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico)
Bronze: Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA) and Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica)

Men's Doubles - Medalists

Gold: Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
Silver: Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina)
Bronze: Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) and Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica)

Mixed Doubles - Medalists

Gold: Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile)
Silver: Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala)
Bronze: Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) and Gerson Miranda Martinez & Natalia Mendez (Argentina)

Women's Team - Medalists

Gold: Mexico - Alexandra Herrera, Montserrat Mejia & Samantha Salas
Silver: Argentina - Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez
Bronze: Canada - Chloe Jauvin, Frédérique Lambert, Juliette Parent & Ofelia Wilscam
Bronze: USA - Michelle Key & Lexi York

Men's Team - Medalists

Gold: Bolivia - Kadim Carrasco, Carlos Keller & Conrrado Moscoso
Silver: USA - Jake Bredenbeck, Sam Bredenbeck & Thomas Carter
Bronze: Mexico - Sebastian Hernández, Javier Mar, Rodrigo Montoya & Erick Trujillo
Bronze: Costa Rica - Andrés Acuña, Felipe Camacho & Gabriel Garcia

Follow the bouncing ball….

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Bolivia & Mexico take gold in team events at 2025 Pan American Racquetball Championships

Bolivia and Mexico won the Men’s and Women’s Team competitions, respectively, Saturday at the XXXVI Pan American Championships in Guatemala City. The Bolivians defeated the USA in two straight matches, while the Mexicans needed three matches to see off Argentina.

In the men’s final, Carlos Keller of Bolivia beat American Thomas Carter, 11-9, 11-7, 11-4, and Conrrado Moscoso defeated Jake Bredenbeck, 13-11, 11-4, 11-9, so they didn’t have to play the doubles match.

In the women’s final, Argentina’s Valeria Centellas got them a lead by defeating Mexican Alexandra Herrera, 11-9, 12-10, 3-11, 11-8, but Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) levelled the final at 1-1 by beating Natalia Mendez (Argentina), 11-7, 11-2, 11-9. That meant the gold medal would come down to doubles with Herrera and Samantha Salas taking on Centellas and Mendez.

The Mexicans won the first two games, and it looked like it would be a sweep. However, Argentina fought back and won games three and four to force a fifth game tie-breaker.

Argentina got the first two points of the breaker, but Mexico responded with seven straight points to go up 7-2. They held on to win it, making the final score 11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 2-11, 11-5.

This is the third time the team competition has happened at Pan Am Championships. Bolivia’s win is their second team title with the first coming in 2022. Mexico’s win is its first, as Argentina won the last two women’s team titles.

There were some great matches at the 2025 Pan American Racquetball Championships, so you should check out the IRF YouTube channel to see some of the action. The draws are available through the R2 Sports website.

XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 12-19, 2025

Women's Team Event

Final - Saturday

1) Mexico d. 3) Argentina - 2-1

Valeria Centellas (Argentina) d. Alexandra Herrera (Mexico), 11-9, 12-10, 3-11, 11-8
Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. Natalia Mendez (Argentina), 11-7, 11-2, 11-9
Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina), 11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 2-11, 11-5

Men's Team Event

Final - Saturday

1) Bolivia d. 2) USA - 2-0

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Thomas Carter (USA), 11-9, 11-7, 11-4
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Jake Bredenbeck (USA), 13-11, 11-4, 11-9
Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA), not played

Follow the bouncing ball….

Friday, April 18, 2025

Team finals set for Saturday at 2025 Pan American Racquetball Championships

The team competition is underway at the XXXVI Pan American Championships in Guatemala City, and as in the past it can be difficult to play well in the team competition after doing well in the individual competition. So it was for the Argentina men, who were in both the singles and the doubles final on Thursday, but failed to reach the podium in the team competition, as they lost to Mexico in the quarterfinals.

In that quarterfinal, Mexico defeated Argentina in two straight matches. Javier Mar ousted Diego Garcia, 11-8, 12-10, 11-7, in what was a rematch of the Men’s Singles gold medal final that Garcia won. Then Rodrigo Montoya defeated Gerson Miranda Martinez, 11-9, 11-9, 11-8, to put Mexico into the semi-finals.

However, in the semis, Mexico lost to Bolivia in three matches, as Carlos Keller beat Mar, 11-7, 13-11, 11-8, but Mar and Montoya defeated Kadim Carrasco and Conrrado Moscoso, 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4, which forced a deciding third match between Moscoso and Montoya, which Moscoso won, 11-5, 11-7, 11-8.

The USA will be Bolivia’s opponent in the final, and they also needed three matches to win their semi-final against Costa Rica. In the first match, Andrés Acuña of Costa Rica defeated American Thomas Carter, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9, but in the second match the Bredenbeck brothers - Jake and Sam - beat Acuña and Gabriel Garcia, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7, to set up a deciding match. In that match, Jake Bredenbeck defeated Felipe Camacho, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7, to send the USA to the final.

Unlike the men’s competition, the Women’s Team event has been similar to the individual events, as Mexico will face Argentina in the final, and both Women’s Singles and Doubles finals were Mexico v. Argentina battles with each country winning one.

In one semi-final, top seeds Mexico defeated Canada in two straight matches. Alexandra Herrera defeated Frédérique Lambert in three close games, 12-10, 11-9, 12-10, and then she teamed up with Samantha Salas to beat Chloe Jauvin and Ofelia Wilscam, 11-3, 11-3, 11-2.

In the other semi-final, Argentina defeated the USA in two matches. Valeria Centellas eked out a five game win over Lexi York, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 10-12, 11-9, and then teamed up with Natalia Mendez to defeat York and Michelle Key, 11-5, 13-11, 11-7.

The draws are available through the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches. Times below are mountain daylight time.

XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 12-19, 2025

Women's Team Event

Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Mexico - BYE

Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) - BYE
Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - BYE
Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - BYE
5) Canada d. 4) Costa Rica, 2-0

Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica), 3-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-1, 11-4
Juliette Parent (Canada) d. Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-5, 6-11, 11-5, 11-8

3) Argentina d. 6) Chile - 2-1

Valeria Centellas (Argentina) d. Paula Mansilla, 11-0, 11-3, 11-4
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Natalia Mendez (Argentina), forfeit
Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile), 11-5, 11-7, 11-8

2) USA d. 7) Guatemala - 2-1

Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Michelle Key (USA), 11-5, 13-11, 11-9
Lexi York (USA) d. Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala), 11-7, 11-4, 11-7
Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA) d. Jamileth Sipac & Isabella Wer (Guatemala), 11-8, 11-8, 11-6

Semi-finals - Friday

1) Mexico d. 5) Canada - 2-0

Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) d. Frédérique Lambert (Canada), 12-10, 11-9, 12-10
Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Chloe Jauvin & Ofelia Wilscam (Canada), 11-3, 11-3, 11-2
Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) v. Juliette Parent (Canada)

3) Argentina d. 2) USA - 2-0

Valeria Centellas (Argentina) d. Lexi York (USA), 7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 10-12, 11-9
Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA), 11-5, 13-11, 11-7
Michelle Key (USA) v. Natalia Mendez (Argentina)

Final - Saturday

1) Mexico v. 3) Argentina

Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) v. Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 12:15 PM
Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) v. Valeria Centellas - 10:45 AM
Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 1:45 PM

Men's Team Event

Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Bolivia - BYE
8) Canada d. 9) Dominican Republic

5) Mexico d. 12) Cuba
4) Argentina - BYE

3) Guatemala - BYE
6) Costa Rica d. 11) Peru

10) Ecuador d. 7) Chile
2) USA - BYE

Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Bolivia d. 8) Canada - 2-0

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Kurtis Cullen (Canada), 11-5, 11-6, 11-9
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Leyton Gouldie (Canada), 11-3, 11-4, 11-5

5) Mexico d. 4) Argentina - 2-0

Javier Mar (Mexico) d. Diego Garcia (Argentina), 11-8, 12-10, 11-7
Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) d. Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina), 11-9, 11-9, 11-8

6) Costa Rica d. 3) Guatemala - 2-1

Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11-5, 11-6, 11-6
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 11-3, 11-3, 11-6
Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11-1, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5

2) USA d. 10) Ecuador - 2-0

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 11-3, 11-6, 11-8
Thomas Carter (USA) d. Martin Carchi (Ecuador), 11-8, 11-9, 11-3

Semi-finals - Friday

1) Bolivia d. 5) Mexico - 1-1

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Javier Mar (Mexico), 11-7, 13-11, 11-8
Rodrigo Montoya & Javier Mar (Mexico) d. Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico), 11-5, 11-7, 11-8

2) USA d. 6) Costa Rica - 2-1

Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Thomas Carter (USA), 11-6, 11-7, 11-9
Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) d. Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica), 11-7, 11-7, 11-7
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 11-7, 11-6, 11-7

Final - Saturday

1) Bolivia v. 2) USA

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Thomas Carter (USA) - 10 AM
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - 11:30 AM
Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) - 1 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Gold medals spread around at 2025 Pan American Championships

Argentina’s Diego Garcia and Natalia Mendez both had chances to win two gold medals Thursday at the XXXVI Pan American Championships in Guatemala City, but each had to settle with one: Garcia in singles and Mendez in doubles, as Argentina won two gold medals at the Pan Am Championships for a second year in a row.

But in what might be the biggest win of the day, Carla Muñoz and Alan Natera won Chile’s first gold medal at the Pan Am Championships by taking the Mixed Doubles title with a five game defeat of the Guatemala’s Edwin Galicia and Gabriela Martinez, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9. It's also the first international gold medal for the veteran Muñoz.

Garcia won his first Pan American Championship and the first ever men’s title for Argentina at these championships by beating top seed Javier Mar of Mexico, 11-7, 11-8, 11-8, in the final. Garcia led for most of the match, using very good drive serves to both sides. Match point came as he drove serve to the left side, and it came out of the left corner and Mar was jammed as he took his shot, which skipped.

Mexican Montserrat Mejia won gold in Women’s Singles by defeating Mendez, 11-4, 12-10, 11-8, for her 2nd Pan American Championship. She also won singles in 2023. Overall, Mejia and Mendez have faced off 8 times across all tours with Mejia winning 7 of them.

They were back and forth after game one, and game two or three (or both) might have gone Mendez’s way, but she made a few loose shots late in those games that gave Mejia another chance, which she put away. That looseness against a player of Mejia’s quality can be killer, and so it was today.

Argentina successfully defended the Women’s Doubles title they won a year ago, although this time Mendez was partnered with Valeria Centellas, rather than Maria Jose Vargas. Nonetheless, they defeated Mexicans Alexandra Herrera and Samantha Salas, 11-4, 12-10, 11-8. It’s the third win in four years for Mendez, and the first for Centellas at the Pan American Championships.

Bolivians Kadim Carrasco and Conrrado Moscoso won Men’s Doubles, defeating Argentina’s Garcia and Gerson Miranda Martinez, 11-4, 11-4, 7-11, 11-2, and denying Garcia a second gold medal. It’s the 3rd time Bolivia has won Men’s Doubles and the second time for Moscoso, who last won in 2019 with Roland Keller.

The draws are available through the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 12-19, 2025

Women's Singles

Medal Round Final - Thursday

6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. 1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina), 11-4, 12-10, 11-8

Playoff #2 - Final - Thursday

2) Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. 4) Juliette Parent (Canada), 11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-9

Medal Round Final - Thursday

3) Diego Garcia (Argentina) d. 1) Javier Mar (Mexico), 11-7, 11-8, 11-8

Playoff #2 - Final - Thursday

10) Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. 4) Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile), injury forfeit

Women's Doubles - Medal Round

Final - Thursday

1) Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico), 11-4, 12-10, 11-8

Men's Doubles - Medal Round

Final - Thursday

3) Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. 4) Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina), 11-4, 11-4, 7-11, 11-2

Mixed Doubles - Medal Round

Final - Thursday

2) Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) d. 5) Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9

Follow the bouncing ball….

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Argentina in 4 finals at 2025 Pan American Racquetball Championships

Six countries will have a chance at gold on Thursday at the XXXVI Pan American Championships in Guatemala City, with Argentina having a chance to win four gold and Mexico three. Only the Mixed Doubles final doesn’t involve either of those countries.

Mixed Doubles had the biggest surprise Wednesday. Chile’s Carla Muñoz and Alan Natera knocked off the OG Mixed Doubles team of Mexicans Rodrigo Montoya and Samantha Salas, 11-7, 11-7, 3-11, 11-6. Montoya and Salas won the first Pan American Mixed Doubles titles in 2022 as well as the first Mixed Doubles titles at that year’s World Championships.

Chile will play Guatemalans Edwin Galicia and Gabriela Martinez in the Mixed Doubles final Thursday, as Guatemala prevented a possible Argentina gold medal sweep by coming back to defeat Argentina’s Gerson Miranda Martinez and Natalia Mendez, 8-11, 14-12, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, in the other Mixed Doubles semi-final.

In Men’s Singles, top seed Javier Mar of Mexico will play Argentina’s Diego Garcia in the final on Thursday, as Mar came back from 2-1 down to defeat 4th seed Samuel Murray of Canada, , 9-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-3, 11-4, while 3rd seeded Garcia knocked of two time Pan Am champion Conrrado Moscoso of Bolivia, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8.

In Women’s Singles, top seed Natalia Mendez of Argentina will play former Pan Am champion Montserrat Mejia of Mexico in the final. Mendez defeated Mexican Alexandra Herrera, 11-8, 10-12, 11-7, 11-8, in one semi-final, while Mejia beat American Lexi York, 11-4, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, in the other.

It’ll be #1 versus #2 in Women’s Doubles on Thursday, when Argentina and Mexico face off in the final. Top seeds Valeria Centellas and Natalia Mendez of Argentina needed five games to get past the American team of Michelle Key and Lexi York, 14-12, 11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 11-4, while Mexicans Alexandra Herrera and Samantha Salas, the 2nd seeds, beat the young Costa Rica team of Larissa Faeth and Jimena Gomez, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5.

The top four seeds were in the Men’s Doubles semi-finals, but the final will be #3 versus #4. The top seeds and defending champions Andrés Acuña and Gabriel Garcia of Costa Rica were up 2-0 on 4th seeds Diego Garcia and Gerson Miranda Martinez of Argentina, but could not close out the match, as the Argentinians came back to win in five games, 8-11, 4-11, 11-4, 13-11, 11-5.

In the other semi-final Bolivia defeated the USA, as 3rd seeds Kadim Carrasco and Conrrado Moscoso defeated the 2nd seeded American team of brothers Jake and Sam Bredenbeck, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5. If Argentina wins Thursday, it will be the country’s first Men’s Doubles title at Pan Ams, while a Bolivia win would their 3rd Pan Am title, and first since 2019, when Moscoso and Roland Keller were champions.

Those are the finals of the individual event competitions. The team event will begin later on Thursday, and that will wrap up on Saturday.

The draws are available through the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches. Note: the times below at Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).

XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 12-19, 2025

Women's Singles

Medal Round Semi-finals - Wednesday

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. 4) Alexandra Herrera (Mexico), 11-8, 10-12, 11-7, 11-8
6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. 2) Lexi York (USA), 11-4, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6

Medal Round Final - Thursday

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. 6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - 9:15 AM

Playoff #2 - Semi-finals - Wednesday

4) Juliette Parent (Canada) d. 1) Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala), 14-16, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6
2) Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. 3) Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic), 11-3, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-6

Playoff #2 - Final - Thursday

2) Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. 4) Juliette Parent (Canada) - 9:15 AM

Men's Singles

Medal Round Semi-finals - Wednesday

1) Javier Mar (Mexico) d. 4) Samuel Murray (Canada), 9-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-3, 11-4
3) Diego Garcia (Argentina) d. 2) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8

Medal Round Final - Thursday

1) Javier Mar (Mexico) v. 3) Diego Garcia (Argentina) - 10 AM

Playoff #2 - Semi-finals - Wednesday

4) Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) d. 1) Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina), forfeit
10) Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. 3. Sebastian Hernández (Mexico), 11-8, 11-6, 11-8

Playoff #2 - Final - Thursday

4) Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) v. 10) Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 9:15 AM

Women's Doubles - Medal Round

Semi-finals - Wednesday

1) Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. 4) Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA), 14-12, 11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 11-4
2) Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. 6) Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-7, 11-6, 11-5

Final - Thursday

1) Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - 10:45 AM

Men's Doubles - Medal Round

Semi-finals - Wednesday

4) Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) d. 1) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica), 8-11, 4-11, 11-4, 13-11, 11-5
3) Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA), 11-8, 11-8, 11-5

Final - Thursday

3) Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. 4) Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - 11:30 AM

Mixed Doubles - Medal Round

Semi-finals - Wednesday

5) Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. 9) Gerson Miranda Martinez & Natalia Mendez (Argentina), 8-11, 14-12, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4
2) Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) d. 3) Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico), 11-7, 11-7, 3-11, 11-6

Final - Thursday

2) Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) v. 5) Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - 1 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Medal round begins at 2025 Pan American Racquetball Championships

Medal round play is underway at the XXXVI Pan American Championships in Guatemala City. Perhaps the biggest surprise came late in the day, as Argentina’s Gerson Miranda Martinez and Natalia Mendez knocked off the defending Mixed Doubles champions Sam Bredenbeck and Michelle Key of the USA, 12-10, 5-11, 11-5, 11-4, in the quarterfinals, so the defending champs won’t even be on the podium this year.

The Argentinians will play Guatemalans Edwin Galicia and Gabriela Martinez in the semi-finals Wednesday, as Guatemala defeated Costa Ricans Andrés Acuña and Larissa Faeth, 11-9, 4-11, 11-4, 11-7.

The other semi-final will be former Mixed Doubles Pan Am champions Rodrigo Montoya and Samantha Salas of Mexico against Chileans Carla Muñoz and Alan Natera. In the quarters, the Mexicans beat Canadians Frédérique Lambert and Samuel Murray, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4, while the Chileans got a walkover win against Martin Carchi and Maria Angela Villacreses of Ecuador.

The top four seeds all made it to the semi-finals in Men’s Singles. Mexican Javier Mar, the top seed, beat 8th seed Juan Salvatierra of Guatemala, 11-3, 12-10, 11-4, and will play 4th seed Samuel Murray of Canada in the semis, as Murray defeated 5th seed Andrés Acuña of Costa Rica, 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6.

Conrrado Moscoso, the 2nd seed, won the Bolivian showdown with team-mate Carlos Keller in the quarterfinals, 11-7, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6, and in the semis will play Argentina’s Diego Garcia, the 3rd seed, who defeated American Jake Bredenbeck, 11-6, 7-11, 11-2, 11-7.

The American showdown in the women’s quarters between Lexi York and Michelle Key went the full distance and then some, as York came back from a game down twice to prevail, 7-11, 11-6, 12-14, 11-6, 16-14. She’ll face Mexican Montserrat Mejia in the semi-finals, as Mejia beat Carla Muñoz of Chile, 11-8, 11-9, 11-4, in the quarters.

The other Women’s Singles semi-final will be between top see Natalia Mendez of Argentina and Mexican Alexandra Herrera. In the quarters, Mendez defeated Canadian Frédérique Lambert, 11-3, 11-8, 11-7, while Herrera beat Costa Rican Jimena Gomez, 11-3, 11-1, 11-0.

There was an upset in Women’s Doubles, as the young team of Costa Ricans Larissa Faeth and Jimena Gomez, seeded 6th, came back from a game down to defeat Chile’s Paula Mansilla and Carla Muñoz, the 3rd seeds, 11-13, 11-8, 11-6, 11-3. The Costa Ricans will have their work cut out for them in the semi-finals, however, as they’ll face Mexican veterans Alexandra Herrera and Samantha Salas, who have both won multiple Pan Am Championships in doubles. The Mexicans beat Guatemalans Jamileth Sipac and Isabella Wer, 11-6, 11-6, 11-3, in the quarterfinals.

The other semi will be between top seeds Valeria Centellas and Natalia Mendez of Argentina, and Americans Key and York, who defeated Canadians Chloe Jauvin and Ofelia Wilscam, 11-7, 11-6, 11-2, in the quarterfinals.

There was almost an upset in the Men’s Doubles quarterfinals, as top seeds and defending champions Andrés Acuña and Gabriel Garcia of Costa Rica were down 2-1 to Guatemalans Jose Caceres and Juan Salvatierra, the 8th seeds. However, the champs came back and pulled out the win in five games, 11-9, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4. It’s possible that the Guatemalans ran out of gas, as they’d needed five games to get to defeat Canadians Kurtis Cullen and Trevor Webb, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 14-16, 12-10, in the Round of 16 earlier on Tuesday.

The Costa Ricans will play 4th seeds Diego Garcia and Gerson Miranda Martinez of Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday, as the Argentines beat 5th seeds Alan Natera and Rodrigo Salgado Jr. of Chile, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9.

The other semi-final will be the USA versus Bolivia. The 2nd seeded American team of brothers Jake and Sam Bredenbeck defeated Ecuador’s Jose Daniel Ugalde and Juan Francisco Cueva, 11-3, 11-6, 11-6, while Bolivians Kadim Carrasco and Conrrado Moscoso, the 3rd seeds, beat Mexicans Sebastian Hernández and Erick Trujillo, 11-5, 11-4, 11-7.

Twelve countries are competing in Guatemala, and players from eight of those countries have earned medals. Now, what remains is to determine who gets which medals.

The draws are available through the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 12-19, 2025

Women's Singles

Medal Round of 16 - Tuesday

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE
9) Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. 8) Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica), 11-8, 11-9, 11-8

5) Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - BYE
4) Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) - BYE

3) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - BYE

10) Michelle Key (USA) d. 7) Valeria Centellas (Argentina), 11-6, 11-8, 11-8
2) Lexi York (USA) - BYE

Medal Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. 9) Frédérique Lambert (Canada), 11-3, 11-8, 11-7
4) Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) d. 5) Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-3, 11-1, 11-0

6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. 3) Carla Muñoz (Chile), 11-8, 11-9, 11-4
2) Lexi York (USA) d. 10) Michelle Key (USA), 7-11, 11-6, 12-14, 11-6, 16-14

Medal Semi-finals - Wednesday

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. 4) Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) - 10:45 AM
2) Lexi York (USA) v. 6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - 10:45 AM

Playoff #2 - Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala) - BYE
4) Juliette Parent (Canada) d. 5) Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), forfeit

3) Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) d. 6. Paula Mansilla (Chile), 11-4, 11-7, 11-7
2) Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. 7) Maria Angela Villascreses (Ecuador), 11-3, 11-6, 11-8

Playoff #2 - Semi-finals - Wednesday

1) Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala) v. 4) Juliette Parent (Canada) - 10 AM
2) Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. 3) Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) - 10 AM

Men's Singles

Medal Round of 16 - Tuesday

1) Javier Mar (Mexico) - BYE
9) Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. 8) Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 12-10, 12-10, 11-7

5) Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) d. 12) Thomas Carter (USA), 11-8, 11-7, 11-8
4) Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE

3) Diego Garcia (Argentina) - BYE
6) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. 11) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 11-5, 11-5, 11-4

10) Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. 7) Alan Natera (Chile), 6-11, 15-13, 11-6, 6-11, 13-11
2) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - BYE

Medal Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Javier Mar (Mexico) d. 8) Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11-3, 12-10, 11-4
4) Samuel Murray (Canada) d. 5) Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica), 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6

3) Diego Garcia (Argentina) d. 6) Jake Bredenbeck (USA), 11-6, 7-11, 11-2, 11-7
2) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. 10) Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 11-7, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6

Medal Semi-finals - Wednesday

1) Javier Mar (Mexico) v. 4) Samuel Murray (Canada) - 10 AM
2) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. 3) Diego Garcia (Argentina) - 11:30 AM

Playoff #2 - Round of 16 - Tuesday

1) Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - BYE
8) David Gonzalez (Peru) d. 9) Christian Menendez (Cuba), 11-9, 11-4, 12-10

5) Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) v. - 10 AM
4) Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) - BYE

3. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) - BYE
6) Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) d. 11) 12) Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic), 11-4, 11-9, 11-3

10) Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. 7) Erik Mendoza (Peru), 11-0, 12-10, 11-0
2) Leyton Gouldie (Canada) - BYE

Playoff #2 - Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) d. 8) David Gonzalez (Peru), 11-1, 11-3, 11-6
4) Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) d. 5) Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 12-10, 11-2, 8-11, 6-11, 11-9

3. Sebastian Hernández (Mexico) d. 6) Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 11-9, 12-10, 11-3
10) Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. 2) Leyton Gouldie (Canada), 11-8, 11-7, 11-7

Playoff #2 - Semi-finals - Wednesday

1) Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) v. 4) Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) - 10 AM
3. Sebastian Hernández (Mexico) v. 10) Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 10 AM

Women's Doubles - Medal Round

Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE
4) Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA) d. 5) Chloe Jauvin & Ofelia Wilscam (Canada), 11-7, 11-6, 11-2

6) Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) d. 3) Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile), 11-13, 11-8, 11-6, 11-3
2) Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. 7) Jamileth Sipac & Isabella Wer (Guatemala), 11-6, 11-6, 11-3

Semi-finals - Wednesday

1) Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. 4) Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA) - 1 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. 6) Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 1:45 PM

Men's Doubles - Medal Round

Round of 16 - Tuesday

1) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - BYE
8) Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. 9) Kurtis Cullen & Trevor Webb (Canada), 11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 14-16, 12-10

5) Alan Natera & Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) d. 12) Raul Martinez Gutierrez & Christhian Menendez (Cuba), 11-3, 11-7, 11-5
4) Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - BYE

3) Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - BYE
6) Sebastian Hernández & Erick Trujillo (Mexico) d. 11) David Gonzalez & Erik Mendoza (Peru), 11-3, 11-4, 11-6

10) Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) d. 7) Ramon De Leon & Ricardo Monroy (Dominican Republic), 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-5
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE

Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. 8) Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11-9, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4
4) Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) d. 5) Alan Natera & Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile), 11-8, 11-8, 11-9

3) Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. 6) Sebastian Hernández & Erick Trujillo (Mexico), 11-5, 11-4, 11-7
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) d. 10) Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 11-3, 11-6, 11-6

Semi-finals - Wednesday

1) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) v. 4) Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - 2:30 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) v. 3) Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 1:45 PM

Mixed Doubles - Medal Round

Round of 16 - Tuesday

1) Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) - BYE
9) Gerson Miranda Martinez & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. 8) Merynanyelly Delgado & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 11-6, 11-8, 11-4

5) Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - BYE
4) Andrés Acuña & Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - BYE

3) Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - BYE
6) Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE

7) Martin Carchi & Maria Angela Villacreses (Ecuador) - BYE
2) Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) - BYE

Quarterfinals - Tuesday

9) Gerson Miranda Martinez & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. 1) Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA), 12-10, 5-11, 11-5, 11-4
5) Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. 4) Andrés Acuña & Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica), 11-9, 4-11, 11-4, 11-7

3) Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. 6) Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (Canada), 11-7, 11-7, 11-4
2) Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) d. 7) Martin Carchi & Maria Angela Villacreses (Ecuador), forfeit

Semi-finals - Wednesday

5) Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. 9) Gerson Miranda Martinez & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 4:45 PM
2) Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) v. 3) Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - 4 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Monday, April 14, 2025

Medal round draws for 2025 Pan American Racquetball Championships

The draws are up for the medal rounds of the XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships in Guatemala City. The medal rounds will begin Tuesday, and some players will play twice in singles and twice in doubles, so if a player in playing both singles and doubles, they may play four times on Tuesday. That’s a lot of racquetball in one day.

Some aspects of the draws are probably disappointing, as team-mates play each other early in both men’s and women’s singles. On the women’s side, Americans Lexi York and Michelle Key may face off in the quarterfinals, if Key defeats Argentina’s Valeria Centellas in the Round of 16. Thus, only one of them can make the podium.

Similarly on the men’s side, Guatemalans Edwin Galicia and Juan Salvatierra face each other right of the bat in the Round of 16 with the winner to play top seed Javier Mar of Mexico in the quarters.

Also, if Carlos Keller of Bolivia beats Alan Natera of Chile in the 16s, he’ll play his team-mate Conrrado Moscoso in the quarterfinals. Both Keller and Moscoso have won gold at Pan Am Championships, but this year only one of them can make the podium (and neither may, if Natera defeats them both).

The draws are available through the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 12-19, 2025

Women's Singles

Medal Round of 16 - Tuesday

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE
8) Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) v. 9) Frédérique Lambert (Canada) - 9:15 AM

5) Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - BYE
4) Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) - BYE

3) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - BYE

7) Valeria Centellas (Argentina) v. 10) Michelle Key (USA) - 9:15 AM
2) Lexi York (USA) - BYE

Medal Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. 8) Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) or 9) Frédérique Lambert (Canada) - 1 PM
4) Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) v. 5) Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 1 PM

3) Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. 6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - 1 PM
2) Lexi York (USA) v. 7) Valeria Centellas (Argentina) or 10) Michelle Key (USA) - 1 PM

Playoff #2 - Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala) - BYE
4) Juliette Parent (Canada) v. 5) Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 10 AM

3) Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) v. 6. Paula Mansilla (Chile) - 10 AM
2) Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. 7) Maria Angela Villascreses (Ecuador) - 10 AM

Men's Singles

Medal Round of 16 - Tuesday

1) Javier Mar (Mexico) - BYE
8) Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) v. 9) Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 9:15 AM

5) Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) v. 12) Thomas Carter (USA) - 9:15 AM
4) Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE

3) Diego Garcia (Argentina) - BYE
6) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. 11) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 9:15 AM

7) Alan Natera (Chile) v. 10) Carlos Keller (Bolivia) - 9:15 AM
2) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - BYE

Medal Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Javier Mar (Mexico) v. 8) Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) or 9) Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 11:30 AM
4) Samuel Murray (Canada) v. 5) Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) or 12) Thomas Carter (USA) - 11:30 AM

3) Diego Garcia (Argentina) v. 6) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) or 11) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 11:30 AM
2) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. 7) Alan Natera (Chile) or 10) Carlos Keller (Bolivia) - 11:30 AM

Playoff #2 - Round of 16 - Tuesday

1) Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - BYE
8) Erik Mendoza (Peru) v. 9) David Gonzalez (Peru) - 10 AM

5) Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) v. 12) Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 10 AM
4) Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) - BYE

3. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) - BYE
6) Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) v. 11) Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 10 AM

10) Christian Menendez (Cuba) - BYE
2) Leyton Gouldie (Canada) - BYE

Playoff #2 - Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) v. 8) Erik Mendoza (Peru) or 9) David Gonzalez (Peru) - 12:15 PM
4) Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) v. 5) Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) or 12) Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 12:15 PM

3. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) v. 6) Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) or 11) Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 12:15 PM
2) Leyton Gouldie (Canada) v. 10) Christian Menendez (Cuba) - 12:15 PM

Women's Doubles - Medal Round

Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE
4) Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA) v. 5) Chloe Jauvin & Ofelia Wilscam (Canada) - 3:15 PM

3) Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. 6) Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 3:15 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. 7) Jamileth Sipac & Isabella Wer (Guatemala) - 3:15 PM

Men's Doubles - Medal Round

Round of 16 - Tuesday

1) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - BYE
8) Ramon De Leon & Ricardo Monroy (Dominican Republic) v. 9) Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - 1:45 PM

5) Sebastian Hernandez & Erick Trujillo (Mexico) v. 12) David Gonzalez & Erik Mendoza (Peru) - 1:45 PM
4) Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - BYE

3) Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - BYE
6) Alan Natera & Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) v. 11) Raul Martinez Gutierrez & Christhian Menendez (Cuba) - 1:45 PM

7) Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) v. 10) Kurtis Cullen & Trevor Webb (Canada) - 1:45 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE

Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) v. 8) Ramon De Leon & Ricardo Monroy (Dominican Republic) or 9) Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - 4 PM
4) Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) v. 5) Sebastian Hernandez & Erick Trujillo (Mexico) or 12) David Gonzalez & Erik Mendoza (Peru) - 4 PM

3) Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. 6) Alan Natera & Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) or 11) Raul Martinez Gutierrez & Christhian Menendez (Cuba) - 4 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) v. 7) Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) or 10) Kurtis Cullen & Trevor Webb (Canada) - 4 PM

Mixed Doubles - Medal Round

Round of 16 - Tuesday

1) Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) - BYE
8) Merynanyelly Delgado & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) v. 9) Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 4:45 PM

5) Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - BYE
4) Andrés Acuña & Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - BYE

3) Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - BYE
6) Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE

7. Martin Carchi & Maria Angela Villacreses (Ecuador) - BYE
2) Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) - BYE

Quarterfinals - Tuesday

1) Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) v. 8) Merynanyelly Delgado & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) or 9) Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 6:15 PM
4) Andrés Acuña & Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) v. 5) Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - 5:30 PM

3) Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. 6) Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (Canada) - 5:30 PM
2) Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) v. 7) Martin Carchi & Maria Angela Villacreses (Ecuador) - 6:15 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Last day of group stage at 2025 Pan American Racquetball Championships

The final day of the group stage at the XXXVI Pan American Championships saw the top seeds playing off on Monday in Guatemala City. Perhaps the biggest singles match of the day was between two time Pan American Champion Carlos Keller of Bolivia and two time winner on the International Racquetball Tour Canadian Samuel Murray, which turned out to be not as close as anticipated, with Murray winning in three straight games, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4.

Other notable matches in Men’s Singles were American Jake Bredenbeck’s win over Costa Rican Felipe Camacho, 8-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-6, while their team-mates reversed the outcome, as Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) beat Thomas Carter (USA), 12-10, 11-6, 12-10.

In the only tie-breaker match in Men’s Singles, Dominican Ramon De Leon came back to defeat Ecuadoran Jose Daniel Ugalde, 5-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8.

In Women’s Singles, Argentina’s Natalia Mendez beat American Michelle Key, 11-8, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, in Group 1, so she’ll be the top seed in the medal round that will begin on Tuesday. Also, Canadian Frédérique Lambert defeated Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala, 7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5, and in the only five game match of the day, Ecuador’s Maria Angela Villascreses defeated Costa Rican Larissa Faeth, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8.

In Men’s Doubles, defending Pan Am champions Andrés Acuña and Gabriel Garcia of Costa Rica closed out group play with a win over Guatemalans Jose Caceres and Juan Salvatierra, 11-7, 11-6, 11-3, in Group 1, so they will be the top seeds going into the medal round.

American brothers Jake and Sam Bredenbeck defeated Mexicans Sebastian Hernandez & Erick Trujillo, 11-8, 3-11, 12-10, 11-8, to top Group 2, and Bolivians Kadim Carrasco and Conrrado Moscoso had to fight back from 2-1 down to beat Canadians Kurtis Cullen and Trevor Webb, 11-5, 9-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-2, and finish first in group 3.

No surprises in Women’s Doubles. Top seeds Valeria Centellas and Natalia Mendez of Argentina beat Jamileth Sipac and Isabella Wer of Guatemala, 11-8, 11-5, 11-1, to finish 1st in Group 1. Mexicans Alexandra Herrera and Samantha Salas defeated Americans Michelle Key and Lexi York, 12-10, 11-6, 11-5, to win Group 2. Thus, Argentina will be top seeds in the medal round and Mexico the 2nd seeds.

The draws are available through the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 12-19, 2025

Women's Singles

Group 1 - Monday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Michelle Key (USA), 11-8, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7
Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala) - BYE

Standings

1. Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 2-0
2. Michelle Key (USA) - 1-1
3. Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala) - 0-2

Group 2 - Monday

Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5
Lexi York (USA) - BYE

Standings

1 - Lexi York (USA) - 2-0
2 - Frédérique Lambert (Canada) - 1-1
3 - Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - 0-2

Group 3 - Monday

Valeria Centellas (Argentina) d. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic), 11-9, 11-0, 11-3
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE

Standings

1. Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 2-0
2. Valeria Centellas (Argentina) - 1-1
3. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) - 0-2

Group 4 - Monday

Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) d. Juliette Parent (Canada), 11-3, 11-2, 11-2
Maria Angela Villascreses (Ecuador) d. Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica), 10-12, 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8

Standings

1. Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) - 3-0
2. Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - 1-2
3. Juliette Parent (Canada) - 1-2
4. Maria Angela Villascreses (Ecuador) - 1-2

Group 5 - Monday

Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), injury forfeit
Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) d. Paula Mansilla (Chile), 11-9, 12-10, 5-11, 11-8

Standings

1. Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - 3-0
2. Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 2-1
2. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 1-2
4. Paula Mansilla (Chile) - 0-3

Men's Singles

Group 1 - Monday

Javier Mar (Mexico) d. Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina), 11-6, 11-6, 11-5
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) - BYE

Standings

1. Javier Mar (Mexico) - 2-0
2. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) - 1-1
3. Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - 0-2

Group 2 - Monday

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Leyton Gouldie (Canada), 11-3, 11-8, 11-4
Alan Natera (Chile) d. Erik Mendoza (Peru), 11-4, 11-3, 11-3

Standings

1. Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 3-0
2. Alan Natera (Chile) - 2-1
3. Leyton Gouldie (Canada) - 1-2
4. Erik Mendoza (Peru) - 0-3

Group 3 - Monday

Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. David Gonzalez (Peru), 11-4, 11-3, 11-7
Diego Garcia (Argentina) d. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico), 11-9, 11-7, 11-5

Standings

1. Diego Garcia (Argentina) - 3-0
2. Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 2-1
3. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) - 1-2
4. David Gonzalez (Peru) - 1-1

Group 4 - Monday

Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 11-8, 11-7, 11-4
Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) d. Christian Menendez (Cuba), 12-10, 11-3, 11-5

Standings

1. Samuel Murray (Canada) - 3-0
2. Carlos Keller (Bolivia) - 2-1
3. Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) - 1-2
4. Christian Menendez (Cuba) - 0-3

Group 5 - Monday

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 8-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-6
Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 5-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8

Standings

1. Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - 3-0
2. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 2-1
2. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) - 1-2
4. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 0-3

Group 6 - Monday

Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Thomas Carter (USA), 12-10, 11-6, 12-10
Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) d. Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic), 11-4, 11-5, 11-2

Standings

1. Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) - 3-0
2. Thomas Carter (USA) - 2-1
3. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - 1-2
4. Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 0-3

Women's Doubles

Group 1 - Monday

Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Jamileth Sipac & Isabella Wer (Guatemala), 11-8, 11-5, 11-1
Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 13-15, 11-8, 11-8, 12-10

Standings

1. Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 3-0
2. Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 2-1
3. Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 1-2
4. Jamileth Sipac & Isabella Wer (Guatemala) - 0-3

Group 2 - Monday

Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA), 12-10, 11-6, 11-5
Chloe Jauvin & Ofelia Wilscam (Canada) d. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), injury forfeit

Standings

1. Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - 3-0
2. Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA) - 2-1
3. Chloe Jauvin & Ofelia Wilscam (Canada) - 1-2
4. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 0-3

Men's Doubles

Group 1 - Monday

Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11-7, 11-6, 11-3
Alan Natera & Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) d. David Gonzalez & Erik Mendoza (Peru), 11-2, 11-6, 11-2

Standings

1. Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - 3-0
2. Alan Natera & Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) - 2-1
3. Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 1-2
4. David Gonzalez & Erik Mendoza (Peru) - 0-3

Group 2 - Monday

Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) d. Sebastian Hernandez & Erick Trujillo (Mexico), 11-8, 3-11, 12-10, 11-8
Ramon De Leon & Ricardo Monroy (Dominican Republic) d. Raul Martinez Gutierrez & Christhian Menendez (Cuba), 11-3, 11-6, 11-4

Standings

1. Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) - 3-0
2. Sebastian Hernandez & Erick Trujillo (Mexico) - 2-1
3. Ramon De Leon & Ricardo Monroy (Dominican Republic) - 1-2
4. Raul Martinez Gutierrez & Christhian Menendez (Cuba) - 0-3

Group 3 - Monday

Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Kurtis Cullen & Trevor Webb (Canada), 11-5, 9-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-2
Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 11-6, 11-4, 11-7

Standings

1. Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 3-0
2. Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - 2-1
3. Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - 1-2
4. Kurtis Cullen & Trevor Webb (Canada) - 0-3

Mixed Doubles

Group 1 - Monday

Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) d. Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 11-9, 12-10, 5-11, 11-8
Merynanyelly Delgado & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - BYE

Standings

1. Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) - 1-1
2. Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - 1-1
3. Merynanyelly Delgado & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 0-2

Group 2 - Monday

Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) d. Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (Canada), 12-10, 11-8, 11-8
Martin Carchi & Maria Angela Villacreses (Ecuador) - BYE

Standings

1. Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) - 2-0
2. Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (Canada) - 1-1
3. Martin Carchi & Maria Angela Villacreses (Ecuador) - 0-2

Group 3 - Monday

Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina), 14-12, 11-8, 9-11, 10-12, 11-4
Andrés Acuña & Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - BYE

Standings

1. Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - 2-0
2. Andrés Acuña & Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - 1-1
3. Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 0-2

Follow the bouncing ball….

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Day 2 of Pan American Racquetball Championships

Play continued in the group stage of the XXXVI Pan American Championships in Guatemala City Sunday, and American Lexi York claimed the #2 seed for the medal round with a comeback win over Canadian Frédérique Lambert, 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4 in Group 2 of Women’s Singles. York defeated Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala on Saturday, so she’ll finish on top of the three player group and thereby be seeded 2nd in the medal round.

There was another tie-breaker in Women’s Singles Sunday, as Chile’s Carla Muñoz had to hold off Argentina’s Valeria Centellas, 11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 10-12, 11-8, in Group 3.

The longest game of the tournament so far happened in the fifth game of the Women’s Doubles between Costa Ricans Larissa Faeth and Jimena Gomez and Guatemalans Jamileth Sipac and Isabella Wer, as Costa Rica came back to win in five games, 4-11, 11-8, 7-11, 12-10, 15-13.

But we think the match with the most points so far was in Men’s Doubles as Ecuador’s Jose Daniel Ugalde and Juan Francisco Cueva came back twice to defeat Canadians Kurtis Cullen and Trevor Webb, 10-12, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 13-11.

Following up on the Costa Rican Mixed Doubles team of Andrés Acuña and Larissa Faeth that we mentioned yesterday, on Sunday they faced former Mixed Doubles Pan Am Champions Rodrigo Montoya and Samantha Salas of Mexico, and more than held their own, as they won the first game, and narrowly lost games two and three, as Mexico prevailed in four games, 6-11, 11-9, 14-12, 11-6.

Faeth is no slouch, and cannot be more than 17 years old, as she played U16 at last year’s World Junior Championships. She made winners against Mexico, and won her singles match in three straight games over Canadian Juliette Parent, 11-5, 11-5, 11-1. She’s clearly one to watch going forward.

The draws are available through the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 12-19, 2025

Women's Singles

Sunday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala), 11-3, 11-7, 11-4
Michelle Key (USA) - BYE

Monday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. Michelle Key (USA) - 11:30 AM
Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala) - BYE

Standings

1. Michelle Key (USA) - 1-0
1. Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 1-0
3. Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala) - 0-2

Group 2 - Sunday

Lexi York (USA) d. Frédérique Lambert (Canada), 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE

Monday

Frédérique Lambert (Canada) v. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - 11:30 AM
Lexi York (USA) - BYE

Standings

1 - Lexi York (USA) - 2-0
2 - Frédérique Lambert (Canada) - 0-1
2 - Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - 0-1

Group 3 - Sunday

Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Valeria Centellas (Argentina), 11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 10-12, 11-8
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) - BYE

Monday

Valeria Centellas (Argentina) v. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) - 12:15 PM
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE

Standings

1. Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 2-0
2. Valeria Centellas (Argentina) - 0-1
2. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) - 0-1

Group 4 - Sunday

Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) d. Juliette Parent (Canada), 11-5, 11-5, 11-1
Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) d. Maria Angela Villascreses (Ecuador), 11-3, 11-5, 11-1

Monday

Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) v. Juliette Parent (Canada) - 11:30 AM
Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) v. Maria Angela Villascreses (Ecuador) - 11:30

Standings

1. Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) - 2-0
2. Juliette Parent (Canada) - 1-1
2. Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - 1-1
4. Maria Angela Villascreses (Ecuador) - 0-2

Group 5 - Sunday

Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. Paula Mansilla (Chile), 11-3, 11-4, 11-2
Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), injury forfeit

Monday

Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), injury forfeit
Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) v. Paula Mansilla (Chile) - 11:30 AM

Standings

1. Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - 3-0
2. Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 1-1
2. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 1-2
4. Paula Mansilla (Chile) - 0-2

Men's Singles

Group 1 - Sunday

Javier Mar (Mexico) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 11-2, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6
Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - BYE

Monday

Javier Mar (Mexico) v. Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - 10:45 AM
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) - BYE

Standings

1. Javier Mar (Mexico) - 1-0
2. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) - 1-1
3. Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - 0-1

Group 2 - Sunday

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Alan Natera (Chile), 11-8, 11-2, 7-11, 11-6
Leyton Gouldie (Canada) d. Erik Mendoza (Peru), 11-4, 11-2, 11-1

Monday

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Leyton Gouldie (Canada) - 10 AM
Alan Natera (Chile) v. Erik Mendoza (Peru) - 10:45 AM

Standings

1. Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 2-0
2. Alan Natera (Chile) - 1-1
2. Leyton Gouldie (Canada) - 1-1
4. Erik Mendoza (Peru) - 0-2

Group 3 - Sunday

Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico), 11-7, 11-6, 11-9
Diego Garcia (Argentina) d. David Gonzalez (Peru), 11-0, 11-3, 11-0

Monday

Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) v. David Gonzalez (Peru) - 10:45 AM
Diego Garcia (Argentina) v. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) - 10 AM

Standings

1. Diego Garcia (Argentina) - 2-0
2. Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 1-1
2. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) - 1-1
4. David Gonzalez (Peru) - 1-1

Group 4 - Sunday

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile), 11-3, 11-4, 11-6
Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Christian Menendez (Cuba), 11-2, 11-8, 11-2

Monday

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Samuel Murray (Canada) - 10 AM
Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) v. Christian Menendez (Cuba) - 10 AM

Standings

1. Carlos Keller (Bolivia) - 2-0
1. Samuel Murray (Canada) - 2-0
3. Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) - 0-2
3. Christian Menendez (Cuba) - 0-2

Group 5 - Sunday

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 11-7, 11-8, 11-5
Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9

Monday

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) - 10:45 AM
Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 10 AM

Standings

1. Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - 2-0
2. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 1-1
2. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) - 1-1
4. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 0-2

Group 6 - Sunday

Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic), 11-2, 11-1, 11-4
Thomas Carter (USA) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 11-3, 11-6, 12-10

Monday

Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) v. Thomas Carter (USA) - 10 AM
Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) v. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - 10:45 AM

Standings

1. Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) - 2-0
1. Thomas Carter (USA) - 2-0
3. Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 0-2
3. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - 0-2

Women's Doubles

Group 1 - Sunday

Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile), 11-4, 11-8, 11-4
Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) d. Jamileth Sipac & Isabella Wer (Guatemala), 4-11, 11-8, 7-11, 12-10, 15-13

Monday

Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. Jamileth Sipac & Isabella Wer (Guatemala) - 3:15 PM
Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 3:15 PM

Standings

1. Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 2-0
2. Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 1-1
2. Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 1-1
4. Jamileth Sipac & Isabella Wer (Guatemala) - 0-2

Group 2 - Sunday

Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), injury forfeit
Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA) d. Chloe Jauvin & Ofelia Wilscam (Canada), 11-6, 11-3, 11-7

Monday

Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA) - 3:15 PM
Chloe Jauvin & Ofelia Wilscam (Canada) v. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 3:15 PM

Standings

1. Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - 2-0
1. Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA) - 2-0
3. Chloe Jauvin & Ofelia Wilscam (Canada) - 0-2
3. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 0-2

Men's Doubles

Group 1 - Sunday

Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. Alan Natera & Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile), 11-9, 11-9, 11-5
Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. David Gonzalez & Erik Mendoza (Peru), 6-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-3

Monday

Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) v. Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 2:30 PM
Alan Natera & Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) v. David Gonzalez & Erik Mendoza (Peru) - 2:30 PM

Standings

1. Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - 2-0
2. Alan Natera & Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) - 1-1
2. Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 1-1
4. David Gonzalez & Erik Mendoza (Peru) - 0-2

Group 2 - Sunday

Sebastian Hernandez & Erick Trujillo (Mexico) d. Ramon De Leon & Ricardo Monroy (Dominican Republic), 11-7, 11-7, 11-6
Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) d. Raul Martinez Gutierrez & Christhian Menendez (Cuba), 11-5, 11-7, 11-4

Monday

Sebastian Hernandez & Erick Trujillo (Mexico) v. Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) - 2:30
Ramon De Leon & Ricardo Monroy (Dominican Republic) v. Raul Martinez Gutierrez & Christhian Menendez (Cuba) - 2:30 PM

Standings

1. Sebastian Hernandez & Erick Trujillo (Mexico) - 2-0
1. Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) - 2-0
3. Raul Martinez Gutierrez & Christhian Menendez (Cuba) - 0-2
3. Ramon De Leon & Ricardo Monroy (Dominican Republic) - 0-2

Group 3 - Sunday

Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina), 6-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8
Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) d. Kurtis Cullen & Trevor Webb (Canada), 10-12, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 13-11

Monday

Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Kurtis Cullen & Trevor Webb (Canada) - 2:30 PM
Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - 2:30 PM

Standings

1. Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 2-0
2. Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - 1-1
2. Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - 1-1
Kurtis Cullen & Trevor Webb (Canada) - 0-2

Mixed Doubles

Group 1 - Sunday

Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) d. Merynanyelly Delgado & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 11-8, 11-6, 11-2
Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - BYE

Monday

Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) - 5:30 PM
Merynanyelly Delgado & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - BYE

Standings

1. Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - 1-0
1. Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) - 1-0
3. Merynanyelly Delgado & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 0-2

Group 2 - Sunday

Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Martin Carchi & Maria Angela Villacreses (Ecuador), 11-4, 10-12, 11-5, 11-8
Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) - BYE

Monday

Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) v. Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (Canada) - 4:45 PM
Martin Carchi & Maria Angela Villacreses (Ecuador) - BYE

Standings

1. Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) - 1-0
1. Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (Canada) - 1-0
3. Martin Carchi & Maria Angela Villacreses (Ecuador) - 0-2

Group 3 - Sunday

Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Andrés Acuña & Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica), 6-11, 11-9, 14-12, 11-6
Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE

Monday

Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 4:45 PM
Andrés Acuña & Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - BYE

Standings

1. Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - 1-0
2. Andrés Acuña & Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - 1-1
3. Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 0-1

Follow the bouncing ball….

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Day 1 results from 2025 Pan American Racquetball Championships

The XXXVI Pan American Championships began in Guatemala City on Saturday. There weren’t any big surprises on day one, although there were some close matches.

In singles play, the only match to go to a tie-breaker was Canadian Samuel Murray’s win over Chilean Rodrigo Salgado Jr., 12-10, 11-13, 11-3, 7-11, 11-5. Two Women’s Singles matches went four games, as American Lexi York defeated Guatemalan Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, and Chilean Carla Muñoz beat Dominican Maria Cespedes, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 12-10.

There were two tie-breakers in Men’s Doubles. Americans Jake Bredenbeck and Sam Bredenbeck came back from 2-1 down to defeat Dominicans Ramon De Leon and Ricardo Monroy, 11-5, 7-11, 7-11, 11-3, 12-10. Also, Bolivians Kadim Carrasco and Conrrado Moscoso dropped the first game and then came back to lead 2-1 against Ecuador’s Jose Daniel Ugalde and Juan Francisco Cueva only to find themselves need to fight off a match point in the fifth game tie-breaker to win, 9-11, 11-2, 11-5, 4-11, 12-10.

Perhaps the only result that might be deemed a surprise came in Mixed Doubles with Costa Ricans Andrés Acuña and Larissa Faeth defeating Argentina’s Gerson Miranda and Natalia Mendez, 11-5, 3-11, 11-9, 11-6. It’s at least somewhat of a surprise, because Mendez is presumably a stronger player than Faeth, and often in mixed doubles the team with the better woman player wins. However, Acuña would have been the best player on the court, so perhaps that is what made the difference for Costa Rica.

Also of note, Merynanyelly Delgado of the Dominican Republic reportedly injured her right knee during her singles match - a win over Paula Mansilla of Chile, 11-7, 13-11, 11-6. While she and Maria Cespedes did begin to play their Women’s Doubles match against Americans Michelle Key and Lexi York, they retired after game two with the match level at a game a piece.

Delgado’s matches in singles and doubles on Sunday are now listed as forfeits. She's listed as playing her Mixed Doubles match with Ramon De Leon, although that was scheduled for later than the Women’s Doubles match. But we believe that Cespedes was allowed to substitute for Delgado. Nonetheless, the Dominicans lost that mixed match to Guatemalans Edwin Galicia and Gabriela Martinez, 11-3, 11-6, 11-13, 11-8.

So, that would suggest that Delgado will likely not participate in the event over the rest of the week. Perhaps, she’ll be able to recover for the medal round, but her longer term fitness needs to be considered. It would be sad if Delgado can't play in the rest of the tournament, as she's a solid player and was on the podium in singles, doubles and the team event at last year's Pan Am Championships.

The draws are available through the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 12-19, 2025

Women's Singles

Group 1 - Saturday

Michelle Key (USA) d. Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala), 11-3, 11-7, 11-5
Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE

Sunday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala) - 10 AM
Michelle Key (USA) - BYE

Group 2 - Saturday

Lexi York (USA) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 11-6, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) - BYE

Saturday

Frédérique Lambert (Canada) v. Lexi York (USA) - 10 AM
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE

Group 3 - Saturday

Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic), 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 12-10
Valeria Centellas (Argentina) - BYE

Sunday

Valeria Centellas (Argentina) v. Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 10 AM
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) - BYE

Group 4 - Saturday

Juliette Parent (Canada) d. Maria Angela Villascreses (Ecuador), 11-9, 11-5, 14-12
Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) d. Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica), 11-6, 11-4, 11-5

Sunday

Juliette Parent (Canada) d. Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - 10 AM
Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) v. Maria Angela Villascreses (Ecuador) - 10 AM

Group 5 - Saturday

Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-1, 11-1, 11-2
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Paula Mansilla (Chile), 11-7, 13-11, 11-6

Saturday

Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) v. Paula Mansilla (Chile)
Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), injury forfeit

Men's Singles

Group 1 - Saturday

Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina), 11-2, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6
Javier Mar (Mexico) - BYE

Sunday

Javier Mar (Mexico) v. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) - 10:45 AM
Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - BYE

Group 2 - Saturday

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Erik Mendoza (Peru), 11-4, 11-4, 11-3
Alan Natera (Chile) d. Leyton Gouldie (Canada), 11-4, 11-6, 11-5

Sunday

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Alan Natera (Chile) - 11:30 AM
Leyton Gouldie (Canada) v. Erik Mendoza (Peru) - 11:30 AM

Group 3 - Saturday

Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) d. David Gonzalez (Peru), 11-4, 11-6, 13-11
Diego Garcia (Argentina) d. Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11-2, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7

Sunday

Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) v. Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 11:30 AM
Diego Garcia (Argentina) v. David Gonzalez (Peru) - 10:45 AM

Group 4 - Saturday

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Christian Menendez (Cuba), 11-2, 11-2, 11-4
Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile), 12-10, 11-13, 11-3, 7-11, 11-5

Sunday

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) - 10:45 AM
Samuel Murray (Canada) v. Christian Menendez (Cuba) - 10:45 AM

Group 5 - Saturday

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 11-8, 11-6, 11-6
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 11-7, 11-8, 11-5

Sunday

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 11:30 AM
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) v. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 11:30 AM

Group 6 - Saturday

Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 11-9, 11-8, 11-5
Thomas Carter (USA) d. Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic), 11-3, 11-4, 11-4

Sunday

Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) v. Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 10:45 AM
Thomas Carter (USA) v. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - 12:15 PM

Women's Doubles

Group 1 - Saturday

Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-5, 11-5, 11-4
Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Jamileth Sipac & Isabella Wer (Guatemala), 4-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-7

Sunday

Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 2:30 PM
Jamileth Sipac & Isabella Wer (Guatemala) v. Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 2:30 PM

Group 2 - Saturday

Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Chloe Jauvin & Ofelia Wilscam (Canada), 11-3, 11-4, 11-4
Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA) d. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 9-11, 11-7, injury forfeit

Sunday

Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), injury forfeit
Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA) v. Chloe Jauvin & Ofelia Wilscam (Canada) - 2:30 PM

Men's Doubles

Group 1 - Saturday

Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. David Gonzalez & Erik Mendoza (Peru), 11-3, 11-2, 11-4
Alan Natera & Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) d. Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11–8, 12-10, 11-5

Sunday

Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) v. Alan Natera & Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) - 3:15 PM
Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) v. David Gonzalez & Erik Mendoza (Peru) - 2:30 PM

Group 2 - Saturday

Sebastian Hernandez & Erick Trujillo (Mexico) d. Raul Martinez Gutierrez & Christhian Menendez (Cuba), 11-3, 11-2, 12-10
Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) d. Ramon De Leon & Ricardo Monroy (Dominican Republic), 11-5, 7-11, 7-11, 11-3, 12-10

Sunday

Sebastian Hernandez & Erick Trujillo (Mexico) v. Ramon De Leon & Ricardo Monroy (Dominican Republic) - 3:15 PM
Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) v. Raul Martinez Gutierrez & Christhian Menendez (Cuba) - 3:15 PM

Group 3 - Saturday

Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) d. Kurtis Cullen & Trevor Webb (Canada), 11-5, 12-10, 13-11
Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 9-11, 11-2, 11-5, 4-11, 12-10

Sunday

Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) v. Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 3:15 PM
Kurtis Cullen & Trevor Webb (Canada) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - 3:15 PM

Mixed Doubles

Group 1 - Saturday

Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Merynanyelly Delgado & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 11-3, 11-6, 11-13, 11-8
Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) - BYE

Sunday

Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) v. Merynanyelly Delgado & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 4:45 PM
Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - BYE

Group 2 - Saturday

Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) d. Martin Carchi & Maria Angela Villacreses (Ecuador), 11-7, 11-3, 11-3
Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE

Sunday

Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (Canada) v. Martin Carchi & Maria Angela Villacreses (Ecuador) - 4:00 PM
Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) - BYE

Group 3 - Saturday

Andrés Acuña & Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) d. Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina), 11-5, 3-11, 11-9, 11-6
Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - BYE

Sunday

Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Andrés Acuña & Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - 4:45 PM
Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

Friday, April 11, 2025

36th Pan American Racquetball Championships begin Saturday

The XXXVI Pan American Championships begin in Guatemala City on Saturday. Twelve countries are competing compared with 10 last year, so the competition should be a bit higher. There were no Mexican women last year, or any Bolivians, but this year there is a full Mexican team, as well as Bolivian men and a full Ecuador team.

Mexicans Alexandra Herrera and Montserrat Mejia are medal favourites for women’s singles, along with Argentine Natalia Mendez, Chilean Carla Muñoz and Canadian Frédérique Lambert. Dark horses for the podium would include American Michelle Key, Guatemalan Maria Renee Rodriguez, Argentine Valeria Centellas and Dominican Merynanyelly Delgado.

In women’s doubles, Mexicans Herrera and Samantha Salas and Argentina’s Centellas and Mendez are likely finalists with Chile’s Paula Mansilla and Muñoz, Americans Key and Lexi York, and Dominicans Maria Cespedes and Delgado as possible medalists.

On the men’s side, the favourites in singles are Bolivians Carlos Keller and Conrrado Moscoso, who have both won two men’s singles Pan Am Championships. The main challengers to the Bolivians should be Costa Rican Andrés Acuña, American Jake Bredenbeck, Canadian Samuel Murray, Chilean Alan Natera, and the Mexicans Javier Mar and Sebastian Fernandez.

In doubles, last year’s champions - Costa Rican Acuña and Gabriel Garcia - are back, so they could repeat again, but will face stiff challenges from Bolivians Kadim Carrasco and Moscoso, Mexicans Sebastian Hernandez and Erick Trujillo, Ecuadorians Jose Daniel Ugalde and Juan Francisco Cueva, American brothers Jake and Sam Bredenbeck, as well as Canadians Kurtis Cullen and Trevor Webb and Argentina’s Diego Garcia and Gerson Miranda Martinez.

Interestingly, Ricardo Monroy is playing doubles for the Dominican Republic, with whom he’s coached for several years. But he’s won both singles and doubles at the Pan American Championships for his native Bolivia, doing so in 2010 and 2012, respectively. He’ll be teaming up with Ramon De Leon this year.

The draws are available through the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXVI Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 12-19, 2025

Women's Singles

Group 1 - Saturday

Michelle Key (USA) v. Jamileth Sipac (Guatemala) - 11:30 AM
Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE

Group 2 - Saturday

Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Lexi York (USA) - 11:30 AM
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) - BYE

Group 3 - Saturday

Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) v. Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 11:30 AM
Valeria Centellas (Argentina) - BYE

Group 4 - Saturday

Juliette Parent (Canada) v. Maria Angela Villascreses (Ecuador) - 11:30 AM
Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) v. Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - 11:30 AM

Group 5 - Saturday

Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) v. Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 10:45 AM
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) v. Paula Mansilla (Chile) - 11:30 AM

Men's Singles

Group 1 - Saturday

Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) v. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) - 10 AM
Javier Mar (Mexico) - BYE

Group 2 - Saturday

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Erik Mendoza (Peru) - 10 AM
Leyton Gouldie (Canada) v. Alan Natera (Chile) - 10 AM

Group 3 - Saturday

Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) v. David Gonzalez (Peru) - 10:45 AM
Diego Garcia (Argentina) v. Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 10:45 AM

Group 4 - Saturday

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Christian Menendez (Cuba) - 10 AM
Samuel Murray (Canada) v. Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) - 10:45 AM

Group 5 - Saturday

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 10 AM
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 10:45 AM

Group 6 - Saturday

Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) v. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - 10 AM
Thomas Carter (USA) v. Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 10:45 AM

Women's Doubles

Group 1 - Saturday

Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 3:15 PM
Jamileth Sipac & Isabella Wer (Guatemala) v. Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 3:15 PM

Group 2 - Saturday

Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Chloe Jauvin & Ofelia Wilscam (Canada) - 3:15 PM
Michelle Key & Lexi York (USA) v. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 3:15 PM

Men's Doubles

Group 1 - Saturday

Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) v. David Gonzalez & Erik Mendoza (Peru) - 2:30 PM
Jose Caceres & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) v. Alan Natera & Rodrigo Salgado Jr. (Chile) - 1:45 PM

Group 2 - Saturday

Sebastian Hernandez & Erick Trujillo (Mexico) v. Raul Martinez Gutierrez & Christhian Menendez (Cuba) - 2:30 PM
Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) v. Ramon De Leon & Ricardo Monroy (Dominican Republic) - 2:30 PM

Group 3 - Saturday

Kurtis Cullen & Trevor Webb (Canada) v. Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - 2:30 PM
Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - 2:30 PM

Mixed Doubles

Group 1 - Saturday

Edwin Galicia & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. Merynanyelly Delgado & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 4:45 PM
Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) - BYE

Group 2 - Saturday

Carla Muñoz & Alan Natera (Chile) v. Martin Carchi & Maria Angela Villacreses (Ecuador) - 4:45 PM
Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE

Group 3 - Saturday

Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. Andrés Acuña & Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - 4:45 PM
Rodrigo Montoya & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

Monday, March 17, 2025

Bredenbeck wins 2025 IRT Shamrock Shootout

Jake Bredenbeck won his 3rd International Racquetball Tour (IRT) title on the weekend, as he defeated Eduardo Portillo, 15-11, 15-3, in the final of the 40th Annual Papa Nicholas Shamrock Shootout in Lombard, Illinois. Portillo was also in the doubles final, but he and Andree Parrilla lost to Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya, 15-4, 15-7.

There were surprises throughout the tournament, as none of the top four seeds made the semi-finals. Bredenbeck, seeded 8th, beat 5th seed Parrilla, 15-11, 15-12, in one semi, while Portillo, the 10th seed, narrowly defeated 11th seed Javier Mar, 10-15, 15-9, 11-9, in the other semi-final.

In the quarterfinals, Bredenbeck won the first game against IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk, 15-8, and then Waselenchuk forfeited the match due to a nagging injury he picked up while playing last weekend in Minneapolis. Waselenchuk certainly wasn’t moving as well as we are used to seeing during game one.

In the other quarterfinals, there were two surprisingly lop-sided wins with Portillo beating 2nd seed Andrés Acuña, 15-3, 15-0, and Mar defeating Samuel Murray, 15-5, 15-1, and one close tie-breaker, as Parrilla eked out a victory over current U18 World Junior Champion Jhonathan Flores, 4-15, 15-12, 11-10.

Earlier in the tournament, Murray - playing his first IRT event since winning in Sioux Falls last year - upset 3rd seed Rodrigo Montoya, 15-11, 15-6, in the Round of 32. Also, Flores took out 4th seed Alan Natera, 15-9, 15-6, in the Round of 16. Flores and Murray teamed up in doubles and ousted Jake and Sam Bredenbeck in the 16s, 15-14, 7-15, 11-4, but lost in the quarterfinals to Acuña and Natera, 15-10, 8-15, 11-5.

Flores and Murray’s matches were two of the eight tie-breakers out of 13 doubles matches played in Lombard. However, Mar and Montoya won all their matches in two straight games - no tie-breakers needed - in winning the title. Indeed, they only gave up more than 10 points in one of the six games they played with their opponents averaging 7.3 points a game.

On a sad note, this may have been the last IRT event at the Glass Court Swim and Fitness club in Lombard, as it is up for sale, so it’s unclear what the future holds for what has been one of the premier venues for racquetball over several decades, hosting many IRT and Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour events, as well as USA Racquetball tournaments.

The next IRT main event will be the World Singles and Doubles Championships in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, September 4-7. If you missed any of the action from Lombard, check out the IRT YouTube channel.

40th Annual Papa Nicholas IRT Shamrock Shootout
Lombard, Illinois - March 13-16, 2025

IRT Singles - Final

8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 10) Eduardo Portillo, 15-11, 15-3

Semi-finals

8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 5) Andree Parrilla, 15-11, 15-12
10) Eduardo Portillo d. 11) Javier Mar, 10-15, 15-9, 11-9

Quarterfinals

8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 1) Kane Waselenchuk, 15-8, injury forfeit
5) Andree Parrilla d. 20) Jhonathan Flores, 4-15, 15-12, 11-10

11) Javier Mar d. 35) Samuel Murray, 15-5, 15-1
10) Eduardo Portillo d. 2) Andrés Acuña, 15-3, 15-0

Round of 16

1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 17) Sam Bredenbeck, 15-11, 15-5
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 9) Jaime Martell, 15-12, 15-4

5) Andree Parrilla d. 12) Thomas Carter, 15-9, 15-8
20) Jhonathan Flores d. 4) Alan Natera, 15-9, 15-6

35) Samuel Murray d. 19) Gerson Miranda Martinez, 15-5, 15-8
11) Javier Mar d. 6) Jordy Alonso, 15-6, 13-10, injury forfeit

10) Eduardo Portillo d. 7) Erick Trujillo, 15-5, 15-6
2) Andrés Acuña d. 15) Robert Collins, 15-11, 15-3

Round of 32

1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 33) Jhoel Alexis Acha Portugal, 15-4, 15-6
17) Sam Bredenbeck d. 16) Cole Sendrey, 15-13, 15-6

9) Jaime Martell d. 24) David Horn, 14-15, 15-10, 11-0
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 25) Blase Zera, 15-3, 15-8

5) Andree Parrilla d. 28) Esteban Reque, 15-6, 15-7
12) Thomas Carter d. 21) Kadim Carrasco, 15-2, 15-0

20) Jhonathan Flores d. 13) Diego Gastelum, 15-7, 15-6
4) Alan Natera d. 29) Benjamin Horner, 6-15, 15-8, 11-7

35) Samuel Murray d. 3) Rodrigo Montoya, 15-11, 15-6
19) Gerson Miranda Martinez d. 14) Carlos Ramirez, 11-15, 15-0, 11-1

11) Javier Mar d. 22) Jim Douglas, 15-3, 15-1
6) Jordy Alonso d. 27) Migel Angel Arteaga Guzman, 15-3, 15-4

7) Erick Trujillo d. 26) DJ Mendoza, 15-12, 15-3
10) Eduardo Portillo d. 23) John Wolfe, 15-4, 15-13

15) Robert Collins d. 18) Diego Garcia, forfeit
2) Andrés Acuña d. 34) Santiago Castillo, 15-3, 15-1

Round of 64

32) Jhoel Alexis Acha Portugal d. 32) Jose Luis De Alba Cardenas, 15-5, 15-10
28) Esteban Reque d. 37) Grant Williams, 15-6, 15-7
29) Benjamin Horner d. 36) Juan Herrera II, 6-15, 15-8, 11-7

35) Samuel Murray d. 30) Hector Barrios, 15-5, 15-3
31) Santiago Castillo d. 34) James Black, 15-4, 15-10

IRT Doubles - Final

1) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 2) Andree Parrilla & Eduardo Portillo, 15-4, 15-7

Semi-finals

1) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 4) Jordy Alonso & Erick Trujillo, 15-12, 15-6
2) Andree Parrilla & Eduardo Portillo d. 3) Andrés Acuña & Alan Natera, 11-15, 15-10, 11-3

Quarterfinals

1) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 9) Thomas Carter & Jaime Martell, 15-9, 15-6
4) Jordy Alonso & Erick Trujillo d. 12) Hector Barrios & Jhoel Alexis Acha Portugal, 11-15, 15-2, 11-7

3) Andrés Acuña & Alan Natera d. 11) Jhonatan Flores & Samuel Murray, 15-10, 8-15, 11-5
2) Andree Parrilla & Eduardo Portillo d. 10) Gerson Miranda Martinez & Diego Garcia, 7-15, 15-12, 11-8

Round of 16

1) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
9) Thomas Carter & Jaime Martell d. 8) Diego Gastelum & Cole Sendrey, 7-15, 15-5, 11-1

12) Hector Barrios & Jhoel Alexis Acha Portugal d. 5) Kadim Carrasco & David Horn, 14-15, 15-7, 11-6
4) Jordy Alonso & Erick Trujillo d. 13) DJ Mendoza & Esteban Reque, 15-9, 15-7

3) Andrés Acuña & Alan Natera d. 14) Victor Migliore & Kyle Ulliman, 15-14, 15-10
11) Jhonatan Flores & Samuel Murray d. 6) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck, 15-14, 7-15, 11-4

10) Gerson Miranda Martinez & Diego Garcia d. 7) Robert Collins & Carlos Ramirez, 14-15, 15-12, 11-2
2) Andree Parrilla & Eduardo Portillo - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….