Mexico swept Men’s and Women’s Doubles at the XXX Pan American Racquetball Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica, which is the fourth year in a row that Mexican teams have won both doubles divisions at the event. Paola Longoria and Samatha Salas won the Women’s Doubles title for the third straight year, beating Ecuador’s Maria Paz Muñoz and Veronica Sotomayor, 15-12, 15-5, in the final. Then Polo Gutierrez and Alejandro Landa came from a game down to defeat Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn of the USA, 10-15, 15-8, 11-4, which gave Landa his second straight Pan American Championship Men’s Doubles title and his second Pan American Championship this year, as he won Men’s Singles earlier in the day.
In fact, all these Mexicans are multiple champions at this event. Longoria and Salas have won five of the last seven Women’s Doubles title at the Pan American Championships, and Salas is six of seven, as she won with Susana Acosta in 2014, when Longoria missed the event. Polo Gutierrez won his third Men’s Doubles title with the others coming in 2013 and 2011 both playing with Javier Moreno, who was Landa’s partner last year.
In the women’s final, Mexico took a the lead early at 6-0. Ecuador scored a couple of points to make it 6-2, but Mexico extended their lead to 10-2, and then 14-4. Ecuador dug in there, and with the serve back they scored two points to make it 14-6. Their sixth point was from an avoidable call on Longoria, which seemed harsh. Mexico appealed it, but the call was upheld, and in disputing the call, Mexico was assessed a technical, which made the score 13-6.
Ecuador scored three straight points to make it 13-9. Mexico called a timeout, and got the serve back but couldn’t score as Muñoz hit a winner and Salas skipped a shot. Ecuador drew within of Mexico when Muñoz hit a drive serve to the left side - she was playing on the right - that cracked out for an ace.
But on the next rally, Longoria hit a pinch shot winner to regain the serve. Sotomayor made an error on her backhand that put Mexico on game point at 14-12, but she put Mexico half out with a backhand cross court winner. Longoria then serve a lob down the middle, which Sotomayor took on her forehand and skipped, giving game one to Mexico, 15-12.
In game two, Mexico again got the early lead at 5-1. Ecuador made it close at 7-5, but then they didn’t score against, as Mexico scored eight unanswered points to take the game, 15-5, and the match in two straight games.
The USA was in control of game one in the Men’s Doubles final, as they never trailed Mexico after taking a 3-0 early. Mexico made it close late when they were within three at 13-10, but two winners from Bredenbeck - a forehand reverse pinch, and a forehand pinch from deep in the court - closed out the game.
Game two was the reverse, as Mexico took the early lead at 7-0, and never trailed from there. Gutierrez made several winners early in the game, as Mexico seemed to take over the match. They won game two as Gutierrez hit a half lob Z to Horn on the right side, and Horn returned it cross court, where Landa hit a shoulder high backhand reverse pinch that rolled out of the right front corner.
The tie-breaker went slowly early on, as after 25 rallies the score was only 4-3 in Mexico’s favour. But Mexico scored four unanswered points from there to go up 8-3. The game stalled a bit there, as nine rallies only produced one point, making the score 8-4 for Mexico.
But Mexico scored on three straight rallies to end it. Horn tried climbing the wall in the back right corner to retrieve a ceiling ball, which was an unsuccessful attempt, then Gutierrez hit a forehand winner, and finally Horn was forced into an error as he tried to hit a backhand ceiling ball to keep the rally going.
“I’m very happy,” Gutierrez said afterwards. “I wasn’t even [planning on] playing Nationals,” but Landa “convinced me” to play. They won that event, which is how they were selected as the Mexican team for this event.
“I feel OK thanks to Polo,” said Landa, when asked about playing the doubles final after he played the singles final earlier.
“I just wanted to win,” Gutierrez said in reference to how they turned the match around after losing the first game, and he did seem to turn it up, especially early in game two.
XXX Pan American Racquetball Championships
San Jose, Costa Rica - April 8-15, 2017
Women's Doubles - Final Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. 3) Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-5
Men's Doubles - Final Saturday
1) Polo Gutierrez & Alejandro Landa (Mexico) d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn (USA), 10-15, 15-8, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball....
Showing posts with label Ecuador. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ecuador. Show all posts
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Friday, April 14, 2017
Doubles semi-final results at XXX Pan American Championships
Mexico and Ecuador were winners in the Women’s Doubles semi-finals at the XXX Pan American Racquetball Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica, Friday. Mexicans Paola Longoria and Samatha Salas, the defending champions, beat the USA’s Sheryl Lotts and Rhonda Rajsich in one semi-final, 15-8, 15-4, while Ecuador’s Maria Paz Muñoz and Veronica Sotomayor needed a tie-breaker to move past Andrea Martinez and Gabriella Martinez of Guatemala, 10-15, 15-5, 11-4.
In Men’s Doubles semi-finals, 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn of the USA won a close first game and then a not so close second to defeat Bolivians Roland Keller and Conrado Moscoso, 15-12, 15-7, in the semi-finals. Bredenbeck and Horn will play either top seeds Polo Gutierrez and Alejandro Landa of Mexico or Dominicans Luis Perez and Ramon De Leon in the final on Saturday.
The finals are early Saturday afternoon with the women’s final to precede the men’s.
XXX Pan American Racquetball Championships
San Jose, Costa Rica - April 8-15, 2017
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. 4) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-8, 15-4
3) Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. 7) Andrea Martinez & Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 10-15, 15-5, 11-4
Women's Doubles - Final Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. 3) Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - 1 PM
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals Friday
1) Polo Gutierrez & Alejandro Landa (Mexico) d. 5) Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 15-3
2) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn (USA) d. 6) Roland Keller & Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-12, 15-7
Men's Doubles - Final Saturday
1) Polo Gutierrez & Alejandro Landa (Mexico) v. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn (USA) - 2:30 PM
Follow the bouncing ball....
In Men’s Doubles semi-finals, 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn of the USA won a close first game and then a not so close second to defeat Bolivians Roland Keller and Conrado Moscoso, 15-12, 15-7, in the semi-finals. Bredenbeck and Horn will play either top seeds Polo Gutierrez and Alejandro Landa of Mexico or Dominicans Luis Perez and Ramon De Leon in the final on Saturday.
The finals are early Saturday afternoon with the women’s final to precede the men’s.
XXX Pan American Racquetball Championships
San Jose, Costa Rica - April 8-15, 2017
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. 4) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-8, 15-4
3) Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. 7) Andrea Martinez & Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 10-15, 15-5, 11-4
Women's Doubles - Final Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. 3) Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - 1 PM
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals Friday
1) Polo Gutierrez & Alejandro Landa (Mexico) d. 5) Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 15-3
2) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn (USA) d. 6) Roland Keller & Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-12, 15-7
Men's Doubles - Final Saturday
1) Polo Gutierrez & Alejandro Landa (Mexico) v. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn (USA) - 2:30 PM
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
2016 Pan American Championships - Win or go home
The biggest surprises on day one of the elimination round at the 2016 Pan American Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico both involved Ecuador players, but unfortunately for Ecuador both weren't wins. In what was a rematch of the 2012 Pan American Championships, Ecuador's Fernando Rios faced Mike Green of Canada in the Men's Singles Round of 16, and reversed the outcome of four years ago by defeating Green, 15-9, 15-4.
But in Women's Singles, 5th seed Veronica Sotomayor lost to 12th seed Jenny Daza of Bolivia, 15-14, 15-8, in the Round of 16. Daza will play 4th seed Jennifer Saunders of Canada in the quarterfinals Thursday, as Saunders defeated Sotomayor's team-mate Ivonne Carpio, 15-12, 15-8.
The top seeds - Daniel De La Rosa and Paola Longoria - in Men's and Women's Singles, respectively, both won their Round of 16 matches Wednesday. De La Rosa defeated Francisco Troncoso of Chile, 15-8, 15-5, while Longoria beat Sofia Soley of Costa Rica, 15-2, 15-7.
Of the final eight players in Women's Singles, two are Bolivian and two Canadian with one each from Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina and the USA. The other Bolivian and Canadian are Carola Loma and Frédérique Lambert, respectively. Loma defeated American Cheryl Gudinas, 15-7, 15-7, and Lambert beat Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala, 15-2, 15-10, in the Round of 16, and they will play each other in the quarters.
Two different countries are doubly represented in the Men's Singles quarterfinals, as two Mexicans and two USA players are in the last eight with a Canadian, a Costa Rican, a Colombian, and an Ecuadoran.
De La Rosa's Mexican team-mate Javier Mar got through to the quarters with a win over Fernando Kurzbard of Argentina, 15-8, 15-6, while the two Americans - Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn - also won in two straight games. Bredenbeck defeated Edwin Galicia of Guatemala, 15-9, 15-5, and Horn beat Juan Francisco Cueva of Ecuador, 15-5, 15-2.
There were three Men's Doubles matches Wednesday, and one of them went tie-breaker. The Guatemalan team of Hanzel Martinez and Juan Jose Salvatierra needed three games to defeat Puerto Ricans Aaron Booker and Abraham Mercado, 15-8, 9-15, 11-2. The win puts Guatemala against Americans Bredenbeck and Horn on Thursday in the quarterfinals.
One of the other Men's Doubles matches almost went breaker, but Colombians Sebastian Franco and Felipe Arenas came back from 12-5 down in game two to defeat Rodrigo Salgado and Francisco Troncoso of Chile in two straight games, 15-13, 15-14. Thus, there will be multiple Men's Doubles World Champion versus current Men's Doubles World Champion in the quarters as Mexicans Javier Moreno and Alejandro Landa will face Colombians Franco and Arenas. Moreno has won three World Championships in Men's Doubles (twice with Alvaro Beltran & once with Luis Bustilos), while Franco is the current World Champion in Men's Doubles, as he and Alejandro Herrera won the title in 2014.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) has partnered with the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) for streaming of this event, so look for matches to be streamed via the WRT website starting on Thursday March 24.
XXIX Pan American Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - March 19-26, 2016
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Paola Longoria (Mexico) - BYE
Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Pamela Sierra (Honduras), 15-6, 15-8
María José Vargas (Argentina) - BYE
Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) - BYE
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) - BYE
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) - BYE
Ivonne Carpio (Ecuador) - BYE
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) - BYE
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - BYE
Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina) d. Paula Padilla (Honduras), 15-8, 15-1
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
Michelle Key (USA) - BYE
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) - BYE
Carola Loma (Bolivia) - BYE
Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-13, 15-8
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) - BYE
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-2, 15-7
María José Vargas (Argentina) d. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico), 5-15, 15-9, 11-5
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador), 15-14, 15-8
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Ivonne Carpio (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-8
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina), 15-2, 15-6
Michelle Key (USA) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-14, 15-8
Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 15-7, 15-7
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-2, 15-10
Women's Singles - Quarterfinals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. María José Vargas (Argentina)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. Michelle Key (USA)
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) v. Carola Loma (Bolivia)
Women's Doubles - Round of 16
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - BYE
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Pamela Sierra & Lissel Padilla (Honduras), 15-2, 15-2
Frédérique Lambert & Jennifer Saunders (Canada) - BYE
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) - BYE
Kelani Bailey & Michelle Key (USA) - BYE
Maria Jose Vargas & Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina) - BYE
Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) - BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) - BYE
Women's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Gabriela Martinez & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala)
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) v. Frédérique Lambert & Jennifer Saunders (Canada)
Kelani Bailey & Michelle Key (USA) v. Maria Jose Vargas & Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina)
Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) v. Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica)
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) - BYE
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-9, 15-12
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) - BYE
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - BYE
Mike Green (Canada) - BYE
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Carlos Medrano (Honduras), 15-3, 15-3
Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) d. Aaron Booker (Puerto Rico), 15-6, 15-13
David Horn (USA) - BYE
Javier Mar (Mexico) - BYE
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 15-5, 15-2
Set Cubillos (Colombia) d. Franco Capandegui (Argentina), 15-0, 15-9
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - BYE
Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE
Alexander Pirie (Costa Rica) d. Marco Sarmiento (Honduras), 15-2, 15-3
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Christian Wer (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-6
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE
Men's Singles - Round of 16
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-8, 15-5
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-7
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Mike Green (Canada), 15-9, 15-4
David Horn (USA) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-2
Javier Mar (Mexico) d. Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-8, 15-6
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Set Cubillos (Colombia), 15-10, 15-0
Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Alexander Pirie (Costa Rica), 15-0, 15-8
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-5
Men's Singles - Quarterfinals
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) v. Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
David Horn (USA) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Javier Mar (Mexico) v. Andres Acuña (Costa Rica)
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. Samuel Murray (Canada)
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
Alejandro Landa & Javier Moreno (Mexico) - BYE
Felipe Arenas & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-13, 15-14
Pedro Castro & Tim Landeryou (Canada) d. Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras), 15-4, 15-4
Felipe Camacho & Teobaldo Fumero (Costa Rica) - BYE
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - BYE
Franco Capandegui & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) - BYE
Hanzel Martinez & Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Aaron Booker & Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 15-8, 9-15, 11-2
Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn (USA) - BYE
Men's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Alejandro Landa & Javier Moreno (Mexico) v. Felipe Arenas & Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Felipe Camacho & Teobaldo Fumero (Costa Rica) v. Pedro Castro & Tim Landeryou (Canada)
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) v. Franco Capandegui & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)
Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn (USA) v. Hanzel Martinez & Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala)
Follow the bouncing ball….
But in Women's Singles, 5th seed Veronica Sotomayor lost to 12th seed Jenny Daza of Bolivia, 15-14, 15-8, in the Round of 16. Daza will play 4th seed Jennifer Saunders of Canada in the quarterfinals Thursday, as Saunders defeated Sotomayor's team-mate Ivonne Carpio, 15-12, 15-8.
The top seeds - Daniel De La Rosa and Paola Longoria - in Men's and Women's Singles, respectively, both won their Round of 16 matches Wednesday. De La Rosa defeated Francisco Troncoso of Chile, 15-8, 15-5, while Longoria beat Sofia Soley of Costa Rica, 15-2, 15-7.
Of the final eight players in Women's Singles, two are Bolivian and two Canadian with one each from Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina and the USA. The other Bolivian and Canadian are Carola Loma and Frédérique Lambert, respectively. Loma defeated American Cheryl Gudinas, 15-7, 15-7, and Lambert beat Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala, 15-2, 15-10, in the Round of 16, and they will play each other in the quarters.
Two different countries are doubly represented in the Men's Singles quarterfinals, as two Mexicans and two USA players are in the last eight with a Canadian, a Costa Rican, a Colombian, and an Ecuadoran.
De La Rosa's Mexican team-mate Javier Mar got through to the quarters with a win over Fernando Kurzbard of Argentina, 15-8, 15-6, while the two Americans - Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn - also won in two straight games. Bredenbeck defeated Edwin Galicia of Guatemala, 15-9, 15-5, and Horn beat Juan Francisco Cueva of Ecuador, 15-5, 15-2.
There were three Men's Doubles matches Wednesday, and one of them went tie-breaker. The Guatemalan team of Hanzel Martinez and Juan Jose Salvatierra needed three games to defeat Puerto Ricans Aaron Booker and Abraham Mercado, 15-8, 9-15, 11-2. The win puts Guatemala against Americans Bredenbeck and Horn on Thursday in the quarterfinals.
One of the other Men's Doubles matches almost went breaker, but Colombians Sebastian Franco and Felipe Arenas came back from 12-5 down in game two to defeat Rodrigo Salgado and Francisco Troncoso of Chile in two straight games, 15-13, 15-14. Thus, there will be multiple Men's Doubles World Champion versus current Men's Doubles World Champion in the quarters as Mexicans Javier Moreno and Alejandro Landa will face Colombians Franco and Arenas. Moreno has won three World Championships in Men's Doubles (twice with Alvaro Beltran & once with Luis Bustilos), while Franco is the current World Champion in Men's Doubles, as he and Alejandro Herrera won the title in 2014.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) has partnered with the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) for streaming of this event, so look for matches to be streamed via the WRT website starting on Thursday March 24.
XXIX Pan American Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - March 19-26, 2016
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Paola Longoria (Mexico) - BYE
Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Pamela Sierra (Honduras), 15-6, 15-8
María José Vargas (Argentina) - BYE
Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) - BYE
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) - BYE
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) - BYE
Ivonne Carpio (Ecuador) - BYE
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) - BYE
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - BYE
Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina) d. Paula Padilla (Honduras), 15-8, 15-1
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
Michelle Key (USA) - BYE
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) - BYE
Carola Loma (Bolivia) - BYE
Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-13, 15-8
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) - BYE
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-2, 15-7
María José Vargas (Argentina) d. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico), 5-15, 15-9, 11-5
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador), 15-14, 15-8
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Ivonne Carpio (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-8
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina), 15-2, 15-6
Michelle Key (USA) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-14, 15-8
Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 15-7, 15-7
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-2, 15-10
Women's Singles - Quarterfinals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. María José Vargas (Argentina)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. Michelle Key (USA)
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) v. Carola Loma (Bolivia)
Women's Doubles - Round of 16
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - BYE
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Pamela Sierra & Lissel Padilla (Honduras), 15-2, 15-2
Frédérique Lambert & Jennifer Saunders (Canada) - BYE
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) - BYE
Kelani Bailey & Michelle Key (USA) - BYE
Maria Jose Vargas & Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina) - BYE
Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) - BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) - BYE
Women's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Gabriela Martinez & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala)
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) v. Frédérique Lambert & Jennifer Saunders (Canada)
Kelani Bailey & Michelle Key (USA) v. Maria Jose Vargas & Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina)
Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) v. Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica)
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) - BYE
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-9, 15-12
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) - BYE
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - BYE
Mike Green (Canada) - BYE
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Carlos Medrano (Honduras), 15-3, 15-3
Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) d. Aaron Booker (Puerto Rico), 15-6, 15-13
David Horn (USA) - BYE
Javier Mar (Mexico) - BYE
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 15-5, 15-2
Set Cubillos (Colombia) d. Franco Capandegui (Argentina), 15-0, 15-9
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - BYE
Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE
Alexander Pirie (Costa Rica) d. Marco Sarmiento (Honduras), 15-2, 15-3
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Christian Wer (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-6
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE
Men's Singles - Round of 16
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-8, 15-5
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-7
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Mike Green (Canada), 15-9, 15-4
David Horn (USA) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-2
Javier Mar (Mexico) d. Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-8, 15-6
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Set Cubillos (Colombia), 15-10, 15-0
Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Alexander Pirie (Costa Rica), 15-0, 15-8
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-5
Men's Singles - Quarterfinals
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) v. Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
David Horn (USA) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Javier Mar (Mexico) v. Andres Acuña (Costa Rica)
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. Samuel Murray (Canada)
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
Alejandro Landa & Javier Moreno (Mexico) - BYE
Felipe Arenas & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-13, 15-14
Pedro Castro & Tim Landeryou (Canada) d. Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras), 15-4, 15-4
Felipe Camacho & Teobaldo Fumero (Costa Rica) - BYE
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - BYE
Franco Capandegui & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) - BYE
Hanzel Martinez & Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Aaron Booker & Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 15-8, 9-15, 11-2
Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn (USA) - BYE
Men's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Alejandro Landa & Javier Moreno (Mexico) v. Felipe Arenas & Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Felipe Camacho & Teobaldo Fumero (Costa Rica) v. Pedro Castro & Tim Landeryou (Canada)
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) v. Franco Capandegui & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)
Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn (USA) v. Hanzel Martinez & Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala)
Follow the bouncing ball….
2016 Pan American Championships - Win or go home
The biggest surprises on day one of the elimination round at the 2016 Pan American Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico both involved Ecuador players, but unfortunately for Ecuador both weren't wins. In what was a rematch of the 2012 Pan American Championships, Ecuador's Fernando Rios faced Mike Green of Canada in the Men's Singles Round of 16, and reversed the outcome of four years ago by defeating Green, 15-9, 15-4.
But in Women's Singles, 5th seed Veronica Sotomayor lost to 12th seed Jenny Daza of Bolivia, 15-14, 15-8, in the Round of 16. Daza will play 4th seed Jennifer Saunders of Canada in the quarterfinals Thursday, as Saunders defeated Sotomayor's team-mate Ivonne Carpio, 15-12, 15-8.
The top seeds - Daniel De La Rosa and Paola Longoria - in Men's and Women's Singles, respectively, both won their Round of 16 matches Wednesday. De La Rosa defeated Francisco Troncoso of Chile, 15-8, 15-5, while Longoria beat Sofia Soley of Costa Rica, 15-2, 15-7.
Of the final eight players in Women's Singles, two are Bolivian and two Canadian with one each from Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina and the USA. The other Bolivian and Canadian are Carola Loma and Frédérique Lambert, respectively. Loma defeated American Cheryl Gudinas, 15-7, 15-7, and Lambert beat Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala, 15-2, 15-10, in the Round of 16, and they will play each other in the quarters.
Not all the results are final in Men's Singles.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) has partnered with the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) for streaming of this event, so look for matches to be streamed via the WRT website starting on Thursday March 24.
XXIX Pan American Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - March 19-26, 2016
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Paola Longoria (Mexico) - BYE
Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Pamela Sierra (Honduras), 15-6, 15-8
María José Vargas (Argentina) - BYE
Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) - BYE
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) - BYE
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) - BYE
Ivonne Carpio (Ecuador) - BYE
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) - BYE
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - BYE
Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina) d. Paula Padilla (Honduras), 15-8, 15-1
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
Michelle Key (USA) - BYE
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) - BYE
Carola Loma (Bolivia) - BYE
Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-13, 15-8
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) - BYE
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-2, 15-7
María José Vargas (Argentina) d. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico), 5-15, 15-9, 11-5
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador), 15-14, 15-8
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Ivonne Carpio (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-8
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina), 15-2, 15-6
Michelle Key (USA) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-14, 15-8
Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 15-7, 15-7
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-2, 15-10
Women's Singles - Quarterfinals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. María José Vargas (Argentina)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. Michelle Key (USA)
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) v. Carola Loma (Bolivia)
Women's Doubles - Round of 16
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - BYE
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Pamela Sierra & Lissel Padilla (Honduras)
Frédérique Lambert & Jennifer Saunders (Canada) - BYE
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) - BYE
Kelani Bailey & Michelle Key (USA) - BYE
Maria Jose Vargas & Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina) - BYE
Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) - BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) - BYE
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) - BYE
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-9, 15-12
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) - BYE
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - BYE
Mike Green (Canada) - BYE
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Carlos Medrano (Honduras), 15-3, 15-3
Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) d. Aaron Booker (Puerto Rico), 15-6, 15-13
David Horn (USA) - BYE
Javier Mar (Mexico) - BYE
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 15-5, 15-2
Set Cubillos (Colombia) d. Franco Capandegui (Argentina), 15-0, 15-9
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - BYE
Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE
Alexander Pirie (Costa Rica) d. Marco Sarmiento (Honduras), 15-2, 15-3
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Christian Wer (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-6
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE
Men's Singles - Round of 16
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-8, 15-5
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-7
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Mike Green (Canada), 15-9, 15-4
David Horn (USA) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador)
Javier Mar (Mexico) v. Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) v. Set Cubillos (Colombia)
Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Alexander Pirie (Costa Rica)
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala)
Men's Singles - Quarterfinals
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) v. Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
David Horn (USA) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Javier Mar (Mexico) or Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) v. Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) or Set Cubillos (Colombia)
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. Samuel Murray (Canada)
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
Alejandro Lanada & Javier Moreno (Mexico) - BYE
Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) v. Felipe Arenas & Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Pedro Castro & Tim Landeryou (Canada) v. Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras)
Felipe Camacho & Teobaldo Fumero (Costa Rica) - BYE
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - BYE
Franco Capandegui & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) - BYE
Hanzel Martinez & Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) v. Aaron Booker & Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico)
Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn (USA) - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
But in Women's Singles, 5th seed Veronica Sotomayor lost to 12th seed Jenny Daza of Bolivia, 15-14, 15-8, in the Round of 16. Daza will play 4th seed Jennifer Saunders of Canada in the quarterfinals Thursday, as Saunders defeated Sotomayor's team-mate Ivonne Carpio, 15-12, 15-8.
The top seeds - Daniel De La Rosa and Paola Longoria - in Men's and Women's Singles, respectively, both won their Round of 16 matches Wednesday. De La Rosa defeated Francisco Troncoso of Chile, 15-8, 15-5, while Longoria beat Sofia Soley of Costa Rica, 15-2, 15-7.
Of the final eight players in Women's Singles, two are Bolivian and two Canadian with one each from Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina and the USA. The other Bolivian and Canadian are Carola Loma and Frédérique Lambert, respectively. Loma defeated American Cheryl Gudinas, 15-7, 15-7, and Lambert beat Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala, 15-2, 15-10, in the Round of 16, and they will play each other in the quarters.
Not all the results are final in Men's Singles.
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) has partnered with the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) for streaming of this event, so look for matches to be streamed via the WRT website starting on Thursday March 24.
XXIX Pan American Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - March 19-26, 2016
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Paola Longoria (Mexico) - BYE
Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Pamela Sierra (Honduras), 15-6, 15-8
María José Vargas (Argentina) - BYE
Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) - BYE
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) - BYE
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) - BYE
Ivonne Carpio (Ecuador) - BYE
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) - BYE
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - BYE
Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina) d. Paula Padilla (Honduras), 15-8, 15-1
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
Michelle Key (USA) - BYE
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) - BYE
Carola Loma (Bolivia) - BYE
Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-13, 15-8
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) - BYE
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-2, 15-7
María José Vargas (Argentina) d. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico), 5-15, 15-9, 11-5
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador), 15-14, 15-8
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Ivonne Carpio (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-8
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina), 15-2, 15-6
Michelle Key (USA) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-14, 15-8
Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 15-7, 15-7
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-2, 15-10
Women's Singles - Quarterfinals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. María José Vargas (Argentina)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. Michelle Key (USA)
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) v. Carola Loma (Bolivia)
Women's Doubles - Round of 16
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) - BYE
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Pamela Sierra & Lissel Padilla (Honduras)
Frédérique Lambert & Jennifer Saunders (Canada) - BYE
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) - BYE
Kelani Bailey & Michelle Key (USA) - BYE
Maria Jose Vargas & Cecilia Cerquetti (Argentina) - BYE
Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) - BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) - BYE
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) - BYE
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-9, 15-12
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) - BYE
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - BYE
Mike Green (Canada) - BYE
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Carlos Medrano (Honduras), 15-3, 15-3
Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) d. Aaron Booker (Puerto Rico), 15-6, 15-13
David Horn (USA) - BYE
Javier Mar (Mexico) - BYE
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 15-5, 15-2
Set Cubillos (Colombia) d. Franco Capandegui (Argentina), 15-0, 15-9
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - BYE
Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE
Alexander Pirie (Costa Rica) d. Marco Sarmiento (Honduras), 15-2, 15-3
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Christian Wer (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-6
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE
Men's Singles - Round of 16
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-8, 15-5
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-7
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Mike Green (Canada), 15-9, 15-4
David Horn (USA) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador)
Javier Mar (Mexico) v. Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) v. Set Cubillos (Colombia)
Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Alexander Pirie (Costa Rica)
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala)
Men's Singles - Quarterfinals
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) v. Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
David Horn (USA) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Javier Mar (Mexico) or Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) v. Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) or Set Cubillos (Colombia)
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. Samuel Murray (Canada)
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
Alejandro Lanada & Javier Moreno (Mexico) - BYE
Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) v. Felipe Arenas & Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Pedro Castro & Tim Landeryou (Canada) v. Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras)
Felipe Camacho & Teobaldo Fumero (Costa Rica) - BYE
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - BYE
Franco Capandegui & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) - BYE
Hanzel Martinez & Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) v. Aaron Booker & Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico)
Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn (USA) - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, August 21, 2015
Interview with Sudsy Monchik
Sudsy Monchik, a four time US Open Champion, five time #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Pan Am Games gold medalist, and USA Racquetball Hall of Fame member, coached Team Ecuador at last month's Pan Am Games in Toronto. Towards the end of the week, we interviewed Monchik about his experience in Toronto.
TRB: How did you come to coach Team Ecuador?
Monchik: It was at a women's pro stop, an LPRT event, in January. I saw Veronica Sotomayor, Ecuador's #1 player, and she asked would I be interested in coaching her. She was playing Paola Longoria at the time, and she looked like she could hang. She had the ability and obviously the passion and the drive. And I said sure. Honestly, I didn't think much of it. I went back home. Another week or two later, she contacted me, and the ball got rolling, then the Ecuador government got involved, and here I am.
What it's like being an American coach coaching a non-American team?
It was tough. These guys came out to New York for two months prior to this event. So the sacrifice was pretty amazing. And like I told them, and told my fellow Americans, I'm a competitor. I like to compete. That's what I've done my whole life. I've competed against my best friends and family members, so this is just another competition.
What did you address first in coaching the team?
I let them know that a lot our approach is going to be mental strength and conditioning. At this level so many players can do so many of the same things well, and to me it's what does it take to get to that next level, not just physically, but mentally. What's your plan? What's your approach? I kind of reconditioned their entire minds into what I believe is what it takes to become a champion.
Do you have an ongoing commitment to coach Ecuador?
It's in the air, not confirmed or unconfirmed. They go back to their government. They [the players] want me to continue working with them. I want to continue working with them. Now, it just has to make sense to everybody.
You competed at the first Pan Am Games that included racquetball in 1995 in Argentina, how does this experience - the set up in Toronto, being a coach compared to a player - feel to you?
First off, Toronto has done a top shelf job. It's been absolutely amazing. The city, the people, the volunteers. Everybody's been absolutely incredible. When I played in '95 in the first one, it was in Argentina. It was a little different.
As far as [coaching], I didn't realize how hard it was to coach, because as a player, as a competitor in life, it's so hard to be out there and have no control of the outcome. And I'm exhausted. I'm physically drained. I played every match and every point, because I feel like I'm in there with them. Their success is their success, but their defeat is my defeat, and I put that on me. They have a lot to learn. This is an amazing group, and I'm looking forward to helping them improve. They're driven, and they're ready. They are right there.
Apart from Team Ecuador, do you see more coaching in your future?
Yeah, I love it. I'm definitely available to coach. I live in New York. I love coaching. The passion has been brought back. I had a lot of amazing memories. Being here at the Pan Ams, it brought back so many memories from Argentina. The coaching really has relit that flame that we all have that racquetball flame. This is the first time I've been around racquetball for so long and so much in many, many years.
Describe the level of competition that you've seen here.
I think it's amazing. I think what South America is doing, what Mexico is doing, is spectacular for the sport. With that said, Rocky Carson comes here. He wins the gold medal. He's the number two ranked player in the world. Paola Longoria comes here. She's the number one player. She wins gold. And my answer to that is that's awesome. Congratulations. But as an ex-professional - and ex-amateur - I say that's what you're supposed to do. You're supposed to come represent. You're the best in the world. Number two in Rocky's case. Number one in Paola's case. You did your job. That's what you're supposed to do. You guys are the best players in the world.
These countries are amazing. The fight they have. The motivation, the drive, the competition's great. But the best players at the end usually prevail.
Follow the bouncing ball....
TRB: How did you come to coach Team Ecuador?
Monchik: It was at a women's pro stop, an LPRT event, in January. I saw Veronica Sotomayor, Ecuador's #1 player, and she asked would I be interested in coaching her. She was playing Paola Longoria at the time, and she looked like she could hang. She had the ability and obviously the passion and the drive. And I said sure. Honestly, I didn't think much of it. I went back home. Another week or two later, she contacted me, and the ball got rolling, then the Ecuador government got involved, and here I am.
What it's like being an American coach coaching a non-American team?
It was tough. These guys came out to New York for two months prior to this event. So the sacrifice was pretty amazing. And like I told them, and told my fellow Americans, I'm a competitor. I like to compete. That's what I've done my whole life. I've competed against my best friends and family members, so this is just another competition.
What did you address first in coaching the team?
I let them know that a lot our approach is going to be mental strength and conditioning. At this level so many players can do so many of the same things well, and to me it's what does it take to get to that next level, not just physically, but mentally. What's your plan? What's your approach? I kind of reconditioned their entire minds into what I believe is what it takes to become a champion.
Do you have an ongoing commitment to coach Ecuador?
It's in the air, not confirmed or unconfirmed. They go back to their government. They [the players] want me to continue working with them. I want to continue working with them. Now, it just has to make sense to everybody.
You competed at the first Pan Am Games that included racquetball in 1995 in Argentina, how does this experience - the set up in Toronto, being a coach compared to a player - feel to you?
First off, Toronto has done a top shelf job. It's been absolutely amazing. The city, the people, the volunteers. Everybody's been absolutely incredible. When I played in '95 in the first one, it was in Argentina. It was a little different.
As far as [coaching], I didn't realize how hard it was to coach, because as a player, as a competitor in life, it's so hard to be out there and have no control of the outcome. And I'm exhausted. I'm physically drained. I played every match and every point, because I feel like I'm in there with them. Their success is their success, but their defeat is my defeat, and I put that on me. They have a lot to learn. This is an amazing group, and I'm looking forward to helping them improve. They're driven, and they're ready. They are right there.
Apart from Team Ecuador, do you see more coaching in your future?
Yeah, I love it. I'm definitely available to coach. I live in New York. I love coaching. The passion has been brought back. I had a lot of amazing memories. Being here at the Pan Ams, it brought back so many memories from Argentina. The coaching really has relit that flame that we all have that racquetball flame. This is the first time I've been around racquetball for so long and so much in many, many years.
Describe the level of competition that you've seen here.
I think it's amazing. I think what South America is doing, what Mexico is doing, is spectacular for the sport. With that said, Rocky Carson comes here. He wins the gold medal. He's the number two ranked player in the world. Paola Longoria comes here. She's the number one player. She wins gold. And my answer to that is that's awesome. Congratulations. But as an ex-professional - and ex-amateur - I say that's what you're supposed to do. You're supposed to come represent. You're the best in the world. Number two in Rocky's case. Number one in Paola's case. You did your job. That's what you're supposed to do. You guys are the best players in the world.
These countries are amazing. The fight they have. The motivation, the drive, the competition's great. But the best players at the end usually prevail.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, July 27, 2015
Medal Summary - 2015 Pan American Games
The 2015 Pan American Games have come and gone, and the biggest winners were Mexico and the USA. Mexico won four gold medals: Women's Singles (Paola Longoria), Women's Doubles (Longoria & Samantha Salas), Women's Team (Longoria & Salas) and Men's Team (Alvaro Beltran, Daniel De La Rosa & Javier Moreno), while the USA won two gold: Men's Singles (Rocky Carson) and Men's Doubles (Jansen Allen & Jose Rojas).
The four Mexican gold medals were repeats from four years ago in Guadalajara, as was the USA's gold in Men's Singles. But Mexico won Men's Doubles four years ago, while that went to the USA this year.
Eight countries won medals in Guadalajara, but only six did in Toronto. Argentina won two silver medals this year, but none in Guadalajara. However, the player responsible for the Argentine medals - Maria Jose Vargas - played for Bolivia four years ago, winning them two bronze medals.
Bolivia won a silver and two bronze medals despite losing its only medalist from four years ago, so that's an improvement. Canada also improved its medal haul, as they won three bronze medals on home soil one more than four years ago. Ecuador performed the same as four years ago: they won three bronze medals in Guadalajara and did so again in Toronto.
Chile, Colombia and Venezuela won medals in Guadalajara, but failed to do so in Toronto.
The 2019 Pan Am Games will be Lima, Peru.
2015 Pan American Games - Toronto, Canada
Medal Summary
Men's Singles
GOLD - Rocky Carson (USA)
SILVER - Alvaro Beltran (MEXICO)
BRONZE - Daniel De La Rosa (MEXICO), Conrado Moscoso (BOLIVIA)
Men's Doubles
GOLD - Jansen Allen & Jose Rojas (USA)
SILVER - Roland Keller & Conrado Moscoso (BOLIVIA)
BRONZE - Vincent Gagnon & Tim Landeryou (CANADA), Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (MEXICO)
Men's Team
GOLD - MEXICO (Daniel De La Rosa, Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno)
SILVER - USA (Rocky Carson, Jake Bredenbeck, Jansen Allen & Jose Rojas)
BRONZE - CANADA (Coby Iwaasa, Mike Green, Vincent Gagnon & Tim Landeryou), BOLIVIA (Carlos Keller, Roland Keller & Conrado Moscoso)
Women's Singles
GOLD - Paola Longoria (MEXICO)
SILVER - Maria Jose Vargas (ARGENTINA)
BRONZE - Rhonda Rajsich (USA), Veronica Sotomayor (ECUADOR)
Women's Doubles
GOLD - Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (MEXICO)
SILVER - Véronique Guillemette & Maria Jose Vargas (ARGENTINA)
BRONZE - Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (ECUADOR), Rhonda Rajsich & Kim Russell-Waselenchuk (USA)
Women's Team
GOLD - MEXICO (Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas)
SILVER - USA (Rhonda Rajsich, Michelle Key, Kim Russell-Waselenchuk)
BRONZE - ECUADOR (Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz), CANADA (Frédérique Lambert & Jennifer Saunders)
Country - Gold, Silver, Bronze = TOTAL
1. MEXICO - 4, 2, 1 = 7
2. USA - 2, 2, 2 = 6
3. ARGENTINA - 0, 2, 0 = 2
4. BOLIVIA - 0, 1, 2, = 3
5. CANADA - 0, 0, 3 = 3
5. ECUADOR - 0, 0, 3 = 3
Follow the bouncing ball....
The four Mexican gold medals were repeats from four years ago in Guadalajara, as was the USA's gold in Men's Singles. But Mexico won Men's Doubles four years ago, while that went to the USA this year.
Eight countries won medals in Guadalajara, but only six did in Toronto. Argentina won two silver medals this year, but none in Guadalajara. However, the player responsible for the Argentine medals - Maria Jose Vargas - played for Bolivia four years ago, winning them two bronze medals.
Bolivia won a silver and two bronze medals despite losing its only medalist from four years ago, so that's an improvement. Canada also improved its medal haul, as they won three bronze medals on home soil one more than four years ago. Ecuador performed the same as four years ago: they won three bronze medals in Guadalajara and did so again in Toronto.
Chile, Colombia and Venezuela won medals in Guadalajara, but failed to do so in Toronto.
The 2019 Pan Am Games will be Lima, Peru.
2015 Pan American Games - Toronto, Canada
Medal Summary
Men's Singles
GOLD - Rocky Carson (USA)
SILVER - Alvaro Beltran (MEXICO)
BRONZE - Daniel De La Rosa (MEXICO), Conrado Moscoso (BOLIVIA)
Men's Doubles
GOLD - Jansen Allen & Jose Rojas (USA)
SILVER - Roland Keller & Conrado Moscoso (BOLIVIA)
BRONZE - Vincent Gagnon & Tim Landeryou (CANADA), Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (MEXICO)
Men's Team
GOLD - MEXICO (Daniel De La Rosa, Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno)
SILVER - USA (Rocky Carson, Jake Bredenbeck, Jansen Allen & Jose Rojas)
BRONZE - CANADA (Coby Iwaasa, Mike Green, Vincent Gagnon & Tim Landeryou), BOLIVIA (Carlos Keller, Roland Keller & Conrado Moscoso)
Women's Singles
GOLD - Paola Longoria (MEXICO)
SILVER - Maria Jose Vargas (ARGENTINA)
BRONZE - Rhonda Rajsich (USA), Veronica Sotomayor (ECUADOR)
Women's Doubles
GOLD - Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (MEXICO)
SILVER - Véronique Guillemette & Maria Jose Vargas (ARGENTINA)
BRONZE - Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (ECUADOR), Rhonda Rajsich & Kim Russell-Waselenchuk (USA)
Women's Team
GOLD - MEXICO (Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas)
SILVER - USA (Rhonda Rajsich, Michelle Key, Kim Russell-Waselenchuk)
BRONZE - ECUADOR (Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz), CANADA (Frédérique Lambert & Jennifer Saunders)
Country - Gold, Silver, Bronze = TOTAL
1. MEXICO - 4, 2, 1 = 7
2. USA - 2, 2, 2 = 6
3. ARGENTINA - 0, 2, 0 = 2
4. BOLIVIA - 0, 1, 2, = 3
5. CANADA - 0, 0, 3 = 3
5. ECUADOR - 0, 0, 3 = 3
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Teams named for 2015 Pan Am Games
Racquetball Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee announced Team Canada for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto next month. The team will be a mix of young and old players. The men are mostly veterans with Vincent Gagnon, Mike Green and Tim Landeryou. Joining them will be Coby Iwaasa, who is the current Canadian Champion in singles and doubles, which he won with Green.
The women are led by veteran Jennifer Saunders along with Canadian Champion and Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) #4 Frédérique Lambert. Michelle Morissette and Christine Richardson round out the women’s team.
We understand that Lambert and Saunders will play Women’s Singles with Morissette and Richardson playing Women’s Doubles, but who of the men will play singles and who doubles is still to be determined.
Gagnon and Landeryou were bronze medalists at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara. Gagnon in Men’s Singles and Landeryou in Men’s Doubles with Kris Odegard.
Supporting the team will be Sue Swaine as Head Coach and Michel Gagnon as Assistant Coach.
Team Mexico
We have heard from the Mexican Federation via Twitter that their team will be Alvaro Beltran, Daniel De La Rosa and Javier Moreno on the men’s side with Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas and Susana Acosta as an alternate on the women’s side.
We expect that Beltran and De La Rosa will play Men’s Singles with Beltran and Moreno playing Men’s Doubles, as that’s what they did at the Pan American Championships in April. Longoria and Salas will likely play Women’s Singles and Women’s Doubles with Acosta being on hand if either of them suffer an injury or perhaps to be used in the team portion of the competition.
Mexicans are the defending champions in Women’s Singles (Longoria), Women’s Doubles (Longoria & Salas), Men’s Doubles (Beltran & Moreno) as well as the Men’s and Women’s Team events. With the 2011 gold medalists back on the team in 2015, we expect them to be the favourites to win again, especially as they all won those events earlier this year at the Pan Am Championships.
Team Ecuador
Also, Ecuador has enlisted Sudsy Monchik as their coach for the Pan Am Games, and their players - Fernando Rios, Jose Daniel Alvarez, Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz have been training with him in New York.
We understand that Monchik will be in Toronto to coach the Ecuador team courtside. As far as we know this is Monchik’s first coaching role in an event like this.
Sotomayor was the silver medalist in Women’s Singles at the Pan Am Championships in April.
The 2015 Pan American Games will be held next month in Toronto, Canada. The racquetball competition of the games will begin July 19 and end July 26. There will be singles and doubles competitions initially from July 19 to July 24, and then a team competition from July 24 to July 26. The doubles competition is a best of three matches on both the Women’s and Men’s sides, where countries go head to head with two singles matches and a doubles match. The order of play in the team competition varies in each round, so doubles, for example, could be the first match or the second or the third.
Team Canada for 2015 Pan American Games
Men’s Players - Vincent Gagnon, Mike Green, Coby Iwaasa and Tim Landeryou
Women’s Players - Frédérique Lambert. Michelle Morissette, Christine Richardson and Jennifer Saunders
Team Mexico for 2015 Pan American Games
Men’s Players - Alvaro Beltran, Daniel De La Rosa and Javier Moreno
Women’s Players - Paola Longoria, Samantha Salas and Susana Acosta
Team Ecuador for 2015 Pan American Games
Men’s Players - Fernando Rios and Jose Daniel Alvarez
Women’s Players - Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz
Follow the bouncing ball….
The women are led by veteran Jennifer Saunders along with Canadian Champion and Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) #4 Frédérique Lambert. Michelle Morissette and Christine Richardson round out the women’s team.
We understand that Lambert and Saunders will play Women’s Singles with Morissette and Richardson playing Women’s Doubles, but who of the men will play singles and who doubles is still to be determined.
Gagnon and Landeryou were bronze medalists at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara. Gagnon in Men’s Singles and Landeryou in Men’s Doubles with Kris Odegard.
Supporting the team will be Sue Swaine as Head Coach and Michel Gagnon as Assistant Coach.
Team Mexico
We have heard from the Mexican Federation via Twitter that their team will be Alvaro Beltran, Daniel De La Rosa and Javier Moreno on the men’s side with Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas and Susana Acosta as an alternate on the women’s side.
We expect that Beltran and De La Rosa will play Men’s Singles with Beltran and Moreno playing Men’s Doubles, as that’s what they did at the Pan American Championships in April. Longoria and Salas will likely play Women’s Singles and Women’s Doubles with Acosta being on hand if either of them suffer an injury or perhaps to be used in the team portion of the competition.
Mexicans are the defending champions in Women’s Singles (Longoria), Women’s Doubles (Longoria & Salas), Men’s Doubles (Beltran & Moreno) as well as the Men’s and Women’s Team events. With the 2011 gold medalists back on the team in 2015, we expect them to be the favourites to win again, especially as they all won those events earlier this year at the Pan Am Championships.
Team Ecuador
Also, Ecuador has enlisted Sudsy Monchik as their coach for the Pan Am Games, and their players - Fernando Rios, Jose Daniel Alvarez, Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz have been training with him in New York.
We understand that Monchik will be in Toronto to coach the Ecuador team courtside. As far as we know this is Monchik’s first coaching role in an event like this.
Sotomayor was the silver medalist in Women’s Singles at the Pan Am Championships in April.
The 2015 Pan American Games will be held next month in Toronto, Canada. The racquetball competition of the games will begin July 19 and end July 26. There will be singles and doubles competitions initially from July 19 to July 24, and then a team competition from July 24 to July 26. The doubles competition is a best of three matches on both the Women’s and Men’s sides, where countries go head to head with two singles matches and a doubles match. The order of play in the team competition varies in each round, so doubles, for example, could be the first match or the second or the third.
Team Canada for 2015 Pan American Games
Men’s Players - Vincent Gagnon, Mike Green, Coby Iwaasa and Tim Landeryou
Women’s Players - Frédérique Lambert. Michelle Morissette, Christine Richardson and Jennifer Saunders
Team Mexico for 2015 Pan American Games
Men’s Players - Alvaro Beltran, Daniel De La Rosa and Javier Moreno
Women’s Players - Paola Longoria, Samantha Salas and Susana Acosta
Team Ecuador for 2015 Pan American Games
Men’s Players - Fernando Rios and Jose Daniel Alvarez
Women’s Players - Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz
Follow the bouncing ball….
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
17th IRF World Championships - Team Standings & Results Sumamry
Team USA was the clear winner in the overall team standings at the 17th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, last week, as they were in three of the four finals, winning one and all but one of their eight player team finished in the medals. But of the top four finishers in the Men's and Women's Team standings, only the USA was in both.
The USA topped the Men's Team standings, led by Rocky Carson, who was the gold medalist in Men's Singles, and complimented by Jose Rojas in Men's Singles and Ben Croft and Tom Fuhrmann in Men's Doubles, who were all bronze medalists. Bolivia was 2nd in the Men's Team, as Coronado Moscoso was the silver medalist in Men's Singles, with Carlos Keller bronze in singles, and Moscoso and Mario Mercado were bronze medalists in doubles.
Colombians Sebastian Franco and Alejandro Herrera were 3rd in the Men's Team standings, helped by their gold medal performance in doubles, and Canada was 4th led by Mike Green and Vincent Gagnon, the silver medalists in doubles.
Mexico topped the Women's Team standings, as Paola Longoria won singles and doubles with Samantha Salas, who was also a bronze medalist in singles. USA was the 2nd place Women's Team with silver for Rhonda Rajsich in singles, and silver for Americans Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger in doubles.
The Ecuador team of Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz were the 3rd place Women's Team, with a bronze medal performance in doubles, and the Argentina team was 4th led by Maria Jose Vargas, who was a bronze medalist in singles.
17th IRF World Championships
June 14-21, 2014
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Overall Team
1st: USA
2nd: Mexico
3rd: Bolivia
4th: Canada
Men's Team
1st: USA
2nd: Bolviia
3rd: Colombia
4th: Canada
Women's Team
1st: Mexico
2nd: USA
3rd: Ecuador
4th: Argentina
Men's Singles
GOLD: Rocky Carson (USA)
SILVER: Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
BRONZE: Jose Rojas (USA), Carlos Keller (Bolivia)
Men's Doubles
GOLD: Alejandro Herrera & Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
SILVER: Mike Green & Vincent Gagnon (Canada)
BRONZE: Conrado Moscos & Mario Mercado (Bolivia), Ben Croft & Thomas Fuhrmann (USA)
Women's Singles
GOLD: Paola Longoria (Mexico)
SILVER: Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
BRONZE: Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina), Samantha Salas (Mexico)
Women's Doubles
GOLD: Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico)
SILVER: Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger (USA)
BRONZE: Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile), Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador)
Follow the bouncing ball....
The USA topped the Men's Team standings, led by Rocky Carson, who was the gold medalist in Men's Singles, and complimented by Jose Rojas in Men's Singles and Ben Croft and Tom Fuhrmann in Men's Doubles, who were all bronze medalists. Bolivia was 2nd in the Men's Team, as Coronado Moscoso was the silver medalist in Men's Singles, with Carlos Keller bronze in singles, and Moscoso and Mario Mercado were bronze medalists in doubles.
Colombians Sebastian Franco and Alejandro Herrera were 3rd in the Men's Team standings, helped by their gold medal performance in doubles, and Canada was 4th led by Mike Green and Vincent Gagnon, the silver medalists in doubles.
Mexico topped the Women's Team standings, as Paola Longoria won singles and doubles with Samantha Salas, who was also a bronze medalist in singles. USA was the 2nd place Women's Team with silver for Rhonda Rajsich in singles, and silver for Americans Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger in doubles.
The Ecuador team of Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz were the 3rd place Women's Team, with a bronze medal performance in doubles, and the Argentina team was 4th led by Maria Jose Vargas, who was a bronze medalist in singles.
17th IRF World Championships
June 14-21, 2014
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Overall Team
1st: USA
2nd: Mexico
3rd: Bolivia
4th: Canada
Men's Team
1st: USA
2nd: Bolviia
3rd: Colombia
4th: Canada
Women's Team
1st: Mexico
2nd: USA
3rd: Ecuador
4th: Argentina
Men's Singles
GOLD: Rocky Carson (USA)
SILVER: Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
BRONZE: Jose Rojas (USA), Carlos Keller (Bolivia)
Men's Doubles
GOLD: Alejandro Herrera & Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
SILVER: Mike Green & Vincent Gagnon (Canada)
BRONZE: Conrado Moscos & Mario Mercado (Bolivia), Ben Croft & Thomas Fuhrmann (USA)
Women's Singles
GOLD: Paola Longoria (Mexico)
SILVER: Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
BRONZE: Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina), Samantha Salas (Mexico)
Women's Doubles
GOLD: Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico)
SILVER: Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger (USA)
BRONZE: Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile), Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador)
Follow the bouncing ball....
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