Waselenchuk wins #131

We’re late with this, but Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), got back in the Winner’s Circle late last month, when he won the Track Town Open in Eugene, Oregon by defeating IRT #3 Jake Bredenbeck in the final, 11-15, 15-2, 11-2. It’s the 131st IRT win of Waselenchuk’s long career.

To put that total in a bit of perspective, Waselenchuk now has as many wins as Cliff Swain (71) and Marty Hogan (40) combined, and those players have the 2nd and 3rd most IRT titles. He’s got more than #5 through #10 on the all time list: Jack Huczek (29), Rocky Carson (27), Jason Mannino (22), Mike Yellen (18), Andy Roberts (17) and Bret Harnett (16).

It’s an astonishing total.

Waselenchuk got to the final by beating Conrrado Moscoso, 15-4, 15-3, in the semi-finals, and Adam Manilla in the quarterfinals, 15-12, 15-6.

For his part, Bredenbeck defeated Alan Natera, 15-8, 15-13, in the semis, and Javier Mar, 15-10, 15-9, in the quarters. Natera had the big upset of the tournament, as he took out IRT #2 Andrés Acuña, 9-15, 15-14, 11-4, in the quarters.

Acuña had been looking to win a second consecutive title, as he won his first ever IRT title earlier in September, when he defeated Waselenchuk in Colorado.

The next IRT event is the Golden State Open in Pleasanton, California, which began Wednesday. We’ll try to cover that in a more timely manner. As always, you can watch the action on line via the IRT YouTube channel.

2025 Track Town Open
Eugene, Oregon - September 25-28

Final

1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 3) Jake Bredenbeck, 11-15, 15-2, 11-2

Semi-finals

1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 13) Conrrado Moscoso, 15-4, 15-3
3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 7) Alan Natera, 15-8, 15-13

Quarterfinals

1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 8) Adam Manilla, 15-12, 15-6
13) Conrrado Moscoso d. 5) Rodrigo Montoya, 8-15, 15-14, 11-4

3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 6) Javier Mar, 15-10, 15-9
7) Alan Natera d. 2) Andrés Acuña, 9-15, 15-14, 11-4

Round of 16

1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 16) Kadim Carrasco, 15-7, 15-3
8) Adam Manilla d. 9) Jordy Alonso, 15-2, 15-6

5) Rodrigo Montoya d. 12) Diego Gastelum, 15-7, 15-12
13) Conrrado Moscoso d. 4) Andree Parrilla, 15-14, 15-10

3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 14) Robert Collins, 15-4, 15-6
6) Javier Mar d. 11) Jaime Martell, 15-4, 15-4

7) Alan Natera d. 10) Thomas Carter, 15-1, 15-7
2) Andrés Acuña d. 15) Carlos Ramirez, 15-3, 15-3

Round of 32

1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Kadim Carrasco d. 17) John Wolfe, 15-8, 15-7

9) Jordy Alonso d. 24) Sean Brooks, 15-3, 15-0
8) Adam Manilla - BYE

5) Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
12) Diego Gastelum d. 21) Sunji Spencer, 15-8, 15-3

13) Conrrado Moscoso d. 20) Charles Pratt, 15-4, 15-2
4) Andree Parrilla - BYE

3) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
14) Robert Collins d. 19) Wayne Antone, 15-12, 15-5

11) Jaime Martell d. 22) Travis Haines, 15-1, 15-2
6) Javier Mar - BYE

7) Alan Natera - BYE
10) Thomas Carter d. 23) Tony Teach, 15-0, 15-3

15) Carlos Ramirez d. 18) Jim Douglas, 15-3 [sic]
2) Andrés Acuña - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

Preview of 2021 USA Racquetball Championships

This week will see the first USA Racquetball (USAR) National Championships since February 2020, because, well, you know. USAR is putting on both the singles and doubles championships as well as their junior championships in Des Moines, Iowa beginning on Wednesday, July 14 and running through Sunday July 18.

The 2020 USA National Doubles Championships were the only USAR Championship held last year, as that went off in February prior to the COVID pandemic shutting down most sporting activities beginning in March. The 2020 National Doubles Champions were Erika Manilla and Aimee Roehler Ruiz on the women’s side and Alejandro Landa and Sudsy Monchik on the men’s side.

Landa and Monchik will be in Des Moines, as will Manilla, but not Roehler Ruiz, who announced in April that she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had hoped to be ready to compete, but it seems that she’s not there yet. That’s led to Manilla teaming up with Rhonda Rajsich for doubles.

The team of Rocky Carson and Charlie Pratt could be Landa and Monchik’s greatest opponent. The two teams faced off in 2020 with Landa and Monchik eking out a win via an 11-9 tie-breaker. The other men’s team to watch will be brothers Jake and Sam Bredenbeck. Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz were runners up to Landa and Monchik last year, and - like Carson and Pratt - lost an 11-9 breaker.

On the women’s side, Manilla and Rajsich will be most challenged for the title by the teams of Hollie Scott and Kelani Lawrence, and Michelle De La Rosa and Sheryl Lotts. De La Rosa and Lotts are only playing doubles, so they are throwing their chance to get a spot on Team USA for the 2021 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships on doubles alone.

In men’s singles, we can only imagine that the USAR rankings will be used to seed players, as the common USAR practice of seeding last year’s champions and runners-up 1st and 2nd doesn’t really apply, because there wasn’t an event last year. Going back to 2019 seems too long ago, but they might do that.

If they use rankings, then Carson should be the #1 seed, but if they go by 2019 results, then he’d probably be #3, as he didn’t compete in National Singles in 2019 since he’d already won doubles with Pratt. Jake Bredenback was the 2019 National Singles champion, beating David Horn in the final.

Horn won’t be in Iowa, but Pratt, who was 3rd in 2019, will be. So, if they use 2019 results, maybe Jake Bredenbeck will be 1st seed, Pratt 2nd and Carson 3rd with Landa 4th? Using current rankings would put Carson #1, Landa #2, Bredenbeck #3 and Thomas Carter #4 with Pratt #5. Regardless of exact seeding, those are the most likely contenders to be the 2021 USAR Men’s Singles Champion.

There’s similar uncertainty on the women’s side, as the 2019 winner was Lawrence with Scott runner up. But in the current rankings, Manilla is highest with Rajsich 2nd, Scott 3rd and Lawrence 4th. Those are the four most likely candidates to be 2021 USAR Women’s Singles Champion with Linda Tyler and Lexi York having outside chances for the title, but perhaps more importantly Tyler and York could be more likely to cause an upset early depending on who they face based on how the seedings are determined.

Will streaks end?

Rocky Carson and Rhonda Rajsich have represented the USA at every Worlds since 2000 and 2002, respectively. Will those streaks come to an end this year? Both are former World Champions in singles: Carson five times and Rajsich twice. But both are now 42 (though Rajsich will turn 43 later this year), and as they say, Father Time is undefeated. Will this be the year Time defeats them?

There are likely three opponents in singles for both Carson and Rajsich who could keep them off the team, and they will probably only play two of them at most, so it may not be likely for them to miss out on Worlds, but it’s certainly a possibility.

In doubles, Carson is playing with Charlie Pratt, and they will likely play the Bredenbeck brothers, Jake and Sam, in the semis. They’ll be favoured in that match, but they Bredenbecks are no slouches, so it will be a test. If they pass that, defending champions Landa and Monchik likely await them in the final. The champs would be favoured, but were narrow winners last year, so Carson has a decent chance to keep his Worlds streak alive by winning doubles with Pratt.

Rajisch and Manilla played together at last month’s Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour event in Kansas, although not successfully, as they lost their first round match to Cristina Amaya and Adriana Riveros. De La Rosa and Lotts also played in Kansas with a similar fate, but Scott and Lawrence won their first match before losing to top seeds Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas. If Rajsich is going to qualify for Worlds in doubles, she and Manilla will need to beat at least one of those teams, and maybe both. That could be a tall task, though not impossible.

If they do qualify for Team USA, Carson will be wearing “USA” on his back for the 19th time and Rajsich for the 27th time, which would put Rajsich into a tie with Cheryl Gudinas for most appearances on Team USA.

Shouldn’t there be more players?

One aspect of these championships that may be surprising is that the fields are not large, and several players are missing. Some absences may be due to the pandemic with players not feeling like they have had adequate time to prepare depending on court availability in their area.

Still several young players on the men’s side from 2019, when the Singles Championship was last held, won’t be in Iowa, including 2019 finalist David Horn, and semi-finalist Adam Manilla, as well as Robert Collins, Dylan Reid, Jose Diaz and Nicholas Riffel. What up, boys?

The Wimbledon tennis championship concluded Sunday, and commentators were bemoaning the lack of US men of enough quality to be contenders to win a tennis Grand Slam event, like Wimbledon. Similar things seem to be happening in US men’s racquetball, which does not bode well for the USA at international competitions. Reminder that the 2018 IRF World Championships was just the 2nd Worlds that did not have USA winning gold in men’s singles or doubles (1st was in 2000).

We’ve noted the small size of the women’s field at US Nationals for several years (e.g., in 2014), and it bears repeating. However, this year is a bit different from even five or six years ago, as in this year’s women’s field the ages of the players is lower. In 2014, two of the eight players in the doubles draw were under 30, but this year six of the 10 players in singles are under 30 (we are uncertain of some players’ ages, so it may be more than six). That is moving in correct direction for developing new Team USA players.

Watch the action

USAR will be streaming matches from Des Moines via their USA Racquetball Facebook page. So check that out beginning Wednesday.

2021 USA Racquetball National Championships
Des Moines, Iowa
US National Team Divisions

Men's US Team Singles - Field*

1) Rocky Carson
2) Alejandro Landa
3) Jake Bredenbeck
4) Thomas Carter
5) Charlie Pratt
6) Maurice Miller
7) Sam Bredenbeck
8) John Goth
9) Blake Hansen
x) Charles Rankin
x) Alex Zamudio
x) Carson Marshall

Men's US Team Singles - Field*

1) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik
2) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt
3) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck
4) Maurice Miller & Troy Warigon
5) John Goth & Blake Hansen

Women's US Team Singles - Field*

1) Erika Manilla
2) Rhonda Rajsich
3) Hollie Scott
4) Kelani Bailey Lawrence
5) Linda Tyler
6) Lexi York
7) Graci Wargo
8) Annie Roberts
9) Jessica Chen
10) Stephanie Synhorst

Women's US Team Doubles - Field*

1) Erika Manilla & Rhonda Rajsich
2) Hollie Scott & Kelani Lawrence
3) Michelle De La Rosa & Sheryl Lotts
4) Linda Tyler & Lexi York
5) Jessica Chen & Graci Wargo

* - Note: seedings in the singles fields are based on USAR rankings. The doubles rankings are an estimate. Thus, they are all unofficial, as the brackets have not been released yet.

Follow the bouncing ball....

Rankings then and now

As we’ve just come through a decade (actually, we always do, but this time the numbering has changed), The Racquetball Blog staff thought it would be fun to compare the top ranked players from 10 years ago with now. Some things have changed, and some things have stayed the same.

Women’s Pro Tour

Let’s look at the women first. In 2010, their tour was called the Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO), while it’s now the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT). Here’s the WPRO rankings from 10 years ago.

WPRO Rankings (as of December 21, 2009)

Rank - Name - Country - Points

1 Paola Longoria, Mexico 1297.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich, USA 1260.06
3 Cheryl Gudinas, USA 631.040
4 Kerri Wachtel, USA 612.70
5 Kristen Bellows, USA 576.00
6 Adrienne Fisher, USA 363.70
7 Jennifer Saunders, Canada 253.45
8 Angela Grisar, Chile 245.00
9 Jo Shattuck, USA 224.41
10 T.J. Baumbaugh, USA 218.80

11 Veronica Sotomayor, Ecuador 217.20
12 Krystal Csuk, USA 203.68
13 Keely Franks, USA 180.25
14 Diane Moore, USA 164.25
15 Samantha Salas, Mexico 133.05
16 Vivian Gomez, USA 128.50
17 Jackie Paraiso, USA 120.00
18 Susy Acosta-Mendoza, Mexico 112.70
19 Doreen Fowler, USA 112.19
20 Cristina Amaya, Colombia 106.50

And now, here’s the current LPRT rankings.

LPRT Rankings (as of January 6, 2020)

Rank - Name - Country - Points

1. Paola Longoria MEX - 2225
2. Maria Jose Vargas ARG - 1543.5
3. Samantha Salas MEX - 1296.5
4. Alexandra Herrera MEX - 768
5. Natalia Mendez ARG - 639.5
6. Rhonda Rajsich USA - 635.5
7. Nancy Enriquez MEX - 606.5
8. Montserrat Mejia MEX - 498.5
9. Cristina Amaya COL - 449.5
10. Masiel Rivera BOL - 433.5

11. Adriana Riveros COL - 269.75
12. Brenda Laime COL - 269.5
13. Ana Laura Flores MEX - 242.75
14. Jessica Parrilla MEX - 215.25
15. Adrienne Fisher Haynes USA - 207
16. Sheryl Lotts USA - 199.25
17. Casandra Lee USA - 198.75
18. Erin Rivera MEX - 166.5
19. Carla Muñoz CHI - 164.5
20. Maria Renee Rodriguez GUA - 151.5

There are five players from a decade ago still in the top 20 now. Most notably Paola Longoria was #1 in January 2010 and she is now too. Rhonda Rajsich was #2 then, and is #6 now. Samantha Salas has moved up from #15 to #3 and Cristina Amaya from #20 to #9, while Adrienne Fisher Haynes was #6 and is now #15. T. J. Baumbaugh was #10, but she’s now running the tour.

More significant than the individuals in the top 20 is where they are from. In 2010, 13 of the top 20 women were from the USA with 3 from Mexico and 1 each from Canada, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador. Now, there are 8 from Mexico and only 4 from the USA with 3 from Colombia, 2 from Argentina, and 1 each from Bolivia, Chile and Guatemala, although two of the Colombians and both Argentines are Bolivian born.

That’s a stark contrast, and especially so when you look at just the top 10, which had 7 USA players a decade ago and has just one now.

Men’s Pro Tour

Although the men’s pro tour has changed hands, just like the women’s tour, it did not change names. The International Racquetball Tour continues albeit under under new administration.

Here’s the IRT rankings from a decade ago.

IRT Rankings (as of December 7, 2009)

Rank - Player - Country - Points

1 Kane WASELENCHUK, CAN - 4286
2 Jack HUCZEK, USA - 3240
3 Rocky CARSON, USA - 2906 - 2
4 Jason MANNINO, USA - 2284
5 Shane VANDERSON, USA - 2216 - 5
6 Mitch WILLIAMS, USA - 1901
7 Alvaro BELTRAN, MEX - 1811
8 Chris CROWTHER, USA - 1789
9 Ben CROFT, USA - 1664
10 Andy HAWTHORNE, USA - 1620

11 Javier MORENO, MEX - 972
12 Travis WOODBURY, USA - 968
13 Juan HERRERA, COL - 945
14 Kris ODEGARD, CAN - 941
15 Andres HERRERA, COL - 885
16 Anthony HERRERA, USA - 881
17 Polo GUTIERREZ, MEX - 817
18 Alejandro LANDA, MEX - 801
19 Charlie PRATT, USA 778,
20 Alejandro HERRERA, COL - 776

And now, the current IRT rankings.

IRT Rankings (as of January 6, 2020)

1. Kane Waselenchuk, CAN - 3581.09
2. Alejandro Landa, MEX - 3064.69
3. Rocky Carson, USA - 3032.17
4. Andree Parrilla, MEX - 2399.78
5. Alvaro Beltran, MEX - 2176.75
6. Daniel De La Rosa, MEX - 1889.81
7. Conrrado Moscoso, BOL - 1573.95
8. Samuel Murray, CAN - 1445.18
9. Eduardo Portillo, MEX - 1324.54
10. Rodrigo Montoya, MEX - 1323.82

11. Jake Bredenbeck, USA - 1241.61
12. Sebastian Franco, COL - 1183.19
13. Mario Mercado, COL - 945.34
14. David Horn, USA - 909.67
15. Carlos Keller, BOL - 852.60
16. Gerardo Franco, MEX - 815.89
17. Thomas Carter, USA - 814.33
18. Sebastian Fernandez, MEX - 812.66
19. Robert Collins, USA - 683.71
20. Andres Acuña, CRC - 633.32

This tells a similar tale to what we saw in the womens’ rankings. Four players from the top 20 a decade ago are still in the top 10, including the #1 player then and now: Kane Waselenchuk. Rocky Carson was #3 then and he’s #3 now. But Alejandro Landa has moved up from #18 in 2010 to be #2 now. Finally, Alvaro Beltran was 7th ten years ago, and he’s 5th now.

As with the women, USA players dominated the rankings a decade ago, but now? Not so much. There were 11 USA players in the top 20 in 2010, but are only 5 now, and only one of them in the top 10, just as on the LPRT. Mexican players have doubled from 4 to 8, while the Canadian players were 2 then and are 2 now. There were 3 Colombians in 2010, and there are 2 now, along with 2 Bolivians and a Costa Rican.

So, if you needed any (more) proof that racquetball is more international now than it was a decade ago, this review of the pro top 10s is it.

We look forward to the next decade of racquetball.

Follow the bouncing ball…..

Susana Acosta - Trailblazer

Question: which woman has played the most US Open Championships and reached at least the semi-finals? If you said “Cheryl Gudinas,” you’d be partially correct, but only because Gudinas played this year. Prior to this month, the answer was actually Susana Acosta.

Acosta first played in the US Open in 1998. Gabriela Martinez - current International Racquetball Federation (IRF) Women's Singles World Champion - wasn’t even born then. Neither was Montserrat Mejia, who won the US Open Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) doubles title with Alexandra Herrera this year. Paola Longoria was 9 in ’98.

After 1998, Acosta played in every US Open until this year: 21 years. That’s a longer streak than any other woman, and is only surpassed by Rocky Carson, who’s played every US Open since 1998. Rhonda Rajsich could tie Acosta next year.

Acosta reached the US Open semi-finals in 1999, her 2nd US Open. She was in the semis again in 2013, and that 14 years is the longest stretch between semi-final berths of any woman except Rajsich. Remarkably, those are the only two times Acosta has been in the US Open semis.

She was the first Mexican player to crack the top 10 of the women’s pro tour, when she finished 5th in 1999-2000. Acosta was 6th the following season, and 10th in 2002-03. But over the next seven seasons, she played fewer than half the events, so Acosta didn’t return to the top 10 until 2010-11, when she played all the events and was 6th once again. Her career high came two seasons later in 2012-13, when she finished 4th.

For all her pro tournaments, Acosta never played a final, and was only in 9 semi-finals over 141 tournaments. But it was in doubles that Acosta excelled.

A left-handed player, Acosta was part of the Mexican doubles team (with Rosy Torres) who won Mexico’s first women's gold medal at a major competition, when they defeated the USA team of Jackie Paraiso and Kim Russell in the Women’s Doubles final of the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She also medaled in Women’s Doubles at the IRF World Championships twice with Torres as her partner. They were bronze medalists in 2002 and silver medalists in 2004, when they lost to final to Paraiso and Russell in Korea.

Acosta also won four gold medals at the Pan American Championships, in 2004, 2005, 2010 and 2014. The first two wins were with Torres while the last two were with Samantha Salas.

Acosta has been a trail blazing player for Mexican racquetball. She’ll be 43 in December, and ending her US Open streak suggests she’s close to the end of her career. However, Acosta played in the 1st LPRT event of the season, so she’s not done yet.

Follow the bouncing ball….

Waselenchuk likely to retire

Kane Waselenchuk announced he will likely retire this off season last Saturday after winning the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Florida Regional Championships. Waselenchuk has been the dominant IRT player since 2008 during which he has lost only twice on court (i.e., not by default), and he’s been #1 twelve times since 2004.

At 36, Waselenchuk is not a young athlete (he'll be 37 in November), but he’s still at the top of his sport, as evidenced by Waselenchuk’s five IRT tournament victories this season, including winning singles and doubles (with Ben Croft) at the 2017 US Open.

However, he won’t finish as the #1 IRT player this season. Rocky Carson will be #1, as Waselenchuk injured his knee at the 2018 Los Angeles Open in January, which led to him missing four events. He also missed one event prior to his injury, and those absences will stop Waselenchuk’s run at #1.

Waselenchuk didn’t say he was going to retire for certain, but that he was “about 90% sure” he would. Thus, Waselenchuk left the door open for a return. But if he doesn’t return, should we be surprised?

Some people suggest that an athletic career lasts 20 years. Ten years to get to the top, then 10 to stay there, and then the athlete is often done. Waselenchuk first became noticed 20 years ago at the 1998 Canadian National Championships, when he finished 3rd in Men’s Doubles with Mike Green.

In 1999 at just 17, he won the first of three consecutive Canadian National Championships in Men’s Singles by defeating the 10 time Canadian Champion Sherman Greenfeld in the final. He played on Team Canada eight times from 1998 to 2002, winning the 2002 Pan American Championships.

But it was on the IRT that Waselenchuk made his reputation. He reached the semi-finals in his first IRT event: the 1999 Bud Light Pro Nationals in Las Vegas, where he beat Derek Robinson in the quarterfinals, Jack Huczek in the semi-finals, and went five games with Cliff Swain in the semi-finals, losing 11-8 in the tie-breaker.

Waselenchuk’s second IRT event was the 2000 US Open, and he knocked off Jason Mannino, who was the defending champion, in the Round of 64, which is the earliest a defending champion has lost at the US Open (note: Sudsy Monchik lost in the 64s at the 2001 US Open, but that was due to a pre-tournament injury but after the draw was finalized). Waselenchuk reached the quarters, losing to Alvaro Beltran in five games.

Waselenchuk won his first IRT event in Chicago in October 2001, when he was playing just his 7th IRT event. He did it by beating Mannino in the Round of 16, Mike Green in the quarterfinals, and Sudsy Monchik in the semi-finals without losing a game to any of them. In the final, he faced John Ellis, who forced Waselenchuk to a breaker after losing the first two games. Waselenchuk denied Ellis the comeback by winning the breaker, 11-8.

He didn’t look back from there, finishing 4th in the 2001-02 season, 2nd in the 2002-3 season, and then 12 seasons as the #1 IRT player interrupted only by his suspension for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.

Will he be back? Waselenchuk wouldn’t be the first athlete to retire early and near the top of his sport, even within racquetball. Jack Huczek retired in 2011, when he was still in the top 4. Waselenchuk also wouldn’t be the first player to retire due to an injury, as Monchik’s was forced into retirement because of a back injury.

His age and recent injury are one thing, but when Waselenchuk said he’s “not too sure I enjoy this like I used to” that’s when alarm bells should ring. Sport really needs to be enjoyed, especially sport at the highest level, because it takes a lot of work and many sacrifices to get to that level and even more so to stay there. If it’s not fun, if the pain starts to outweigh the pleasure, then it’s time to stop.

There’s been much talk over his career of Waselenchuk being the best player of all time. Better than Swain or Monchik or Marty Hogan. The Racquetball Blog would be happy to make that argument, but really it’s bar-room talk: an issue that’s fun to discuss, but can’t be definitively answered. In our idea of heaven, we’ll get to spend eternity seeing Waselenchuk at his best playing the others at their best, and then we’ll know for sure who was the best.

Waselenchuk finished Saturday by saying “the run’s been great, and if this is the last one then, man, it was fun.” It was fun. And often it was astonishing. We aren’t likely to see the likes of him again.

Until we do, of course, because there’s always a next one. Then we’ll argue about whether the next one is better than Waselenchuk.

Regardless of whether he plays again, Waselenchuk’s place in racquetball history is assured.

Follow the bouncing ball....

Landa wins 2018 IRT Cincinnati tournament, joins exclusive club

Alejandro Landa won his 2nd International Racquetball Tour (IRT) tournament Sunday, when he defeated Alvaro Beltran, 11-15, 11-7, 11-8, in the final of the IRT Mercedes Benz of Ft. Mitchell Raising Some Racquet for Kids tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio. Landa won his first career IRT event earlier this season at the Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The win lifts Landa into elite company, as he now has a winning record in IRT finals (2-1). According to the Pro Racquetball Stats database only eight other players (who have been in multiple finals) have winning records in finals.

Unsurprisingly, Kane Waselenchuk has the best record in final matches, winning an astounding 109 times against 10 losses (91.6%). But the player with the second best final winning percentage may be a surprise, as it’s Brett Harnett, who won 16 times against 5 losses over 21 finals (76.2%). That’s ahead of Marty Hogan (60-22, 73.2%), Sudsy Monchik (43-24, 64.2%), Cliff Swain (71-42, 62.8%), Charlie Brumfield (16-11, 59.3%), Gregg Peck (4-3, 57.1%) and Jason Mannino (22-18, 55%).

(note: Sebastian Franco and Charlie Pratt have 100% records in finals, but have only played once).

Early in the final, it did not look like Landa was going to join that company, as Beltran played very well in game one, and controlled it most of the way. But it was a long game. For example with Beltran up 9-6, the game stalled, as they played twelve rallies at that score, and after eleven of them, Beltran took a timeout.

Landa broke the deadlock, but he was only able to score once, making it 9-7, before Beltran took the serve back with a forehand pinch return off a Landa drive serve to the right side. That led to four unanswered points, as Beltran made it 13-7.

However, Landa responded with a run of three points to cut the deficit to 13-10. But another winning serve return by Beltran - this time a backhand pinch off a drive Z to the left - stopped Landa’s run.

They traded a few sideouts, and then Beltran made it 14-10 with a great backhand splat shot. Beltran’s backhand pinch shots were very good in game one. Landa did prevent Beltran’s first game point with a forehand return down the line off one of Beltran’s signature lob serves to the right side.

Landa put one more point on the board to make it 14-11, but then a backhand cross court shot got Beltran the serve back. He ended the game with a backhand shot that hit Landa, and the referee judged it to be a straight in shot, so Landa was given a penalty hinder, and Beltran got his 15th point, winning game one 15-11.

Game two started out like game one, as Beltran took the early lead at 5-1. But Landa came back and tied it at 6-6. They were back and forth in the mid-part of game two with 17 rallies taking place to score 4 points in going from 6-6 to 9-7 in favour of Landa.

But from there, Landa rolled, scoring six unanswered points with Beltran serving only once during that period. After being down early in game two, Landa outscored Beltran 14-2, and he definitely had momentum going into the tie-breaker.

In the breaker, Landa’s momentum continued, as he went up 6-1, although that took 27 rallies, so it didn’t happen quickly. Beltran kept fighting, but he didn’t get within two until Landa was already on game point at 10-8.

After being unsuccessful on his first two match points, Landa called a timeout before his third. When play resumed a long rally ensued, which included a great diving get by Landa, but it was ended by Beltran with a flat forehand pinch shot.

But Beltran couldn’t capitalize on that opportunity, as Landa drove a serve return into the middle that forced Beltran to try to hit it between his legs, which resulted in a skip.

On match point #4, Landa won it with a backhand down the line that was just out of Beltran’s reach. He had lob served to the left side, and Beltran returned it straight in, but the return was in the middle of the court, which allowed Landa to drive it down the left side close to the wall, and out of Beltran’s reach.

If you missed the action from Cincinnati, you can see some of it via the IRT YouTube channel, although the latest videos are currently mislabelled as “2018 Shamrock Shootout.”

The 2017-18 IRT season concludes later this month at the Florida IRT Regional Championships in Sarasota, Florida, April 26-29. But the IRT players are also participating in the World Doubles Open Championship in Denver, May 2-6.

2018 IRT Mercedes Benz of Ft. Mitchell Raising Some Racquet for Kids, April 5-8, 2018
Cincinnati, Ohio

Final

4) Alejandro Landa d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 11-15, 15-7, 11-8

Follow the bouncing ball….

Carson is IRT's #1 now, but will he be at season's end?

Rocky Carson has again ascended to the top of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) rankings that were released this week following Andree Parrilla’s win at the 2018 IRT Shamrock Shootout in Lombard, Illinois last weekend. Carson moves up to #1 from #2 despite losing in the quarterfinals to Parrilla in Illinois, as former #1 Kane Waselenchuk is still out with the knee injury he suffered in the semi-finals of the LA Open in January. Waselenchuk's now #2.

There are only two events left in the IRT season - the Mercedes-Benz of Ft. Mitchell Raising Some Racquet for Kids in Cincinnati and the Florida IRT Regional Championships in Sarasota - so can Waselenchuk still finish #1?

We think so. The rankings work on a 12 month basis, so whether Waselenchuk can make up the 350 point deficit he has to Carson will depend on both how he and Carson do in Cincinnati and Florida, and how that compares to how they did in those events last year. Waselenchuk didn’t play Cincinnati last year, so he has no points from that event, and he won the Florida event. Carson won in Cincinnati and finished 2nd in Florida a year ago.

Thus, Carson has more points to defend than Waselenchuk, so if Waselenchuk wins in Cincinnati and Florida, then he’ll have a good chance to finish #1, especially if Carson doesn’t match his 1st and 2nd finishes from a year ago.

The wild card in this scenario is Waselenchuk’s health. How severe is his knee injury? It's bad enough that he's missed three straight tournaments over a two month period. Waselenchuk’s missed the occasional tournament over his career, but he hasn't missed three tournaments in a row since he started playing the IRT full time in the 2001-02 season.

That has to be concerning for all racquetball fans.

IRT Rankings - March 22, 2018

Rank - Player - Country - Points

1 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3051.35
2 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 2700.70
3 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 2450.18
4 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 1986.02
5 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 1714.16

6 Samuel MURRAY (Canada) 1639.77
7 Jansen ALLEN (USA) 1631.75
8 Mario MERCADO (Colombia) 1498.01
9 Sebsatian FRANCO (Colombia) 1478.96
10 Andree PARRILLA (Mexico) 1191.94

11 David HORN (USA) 936.01
12 Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica) 825.04
13 Charles PRATT (USA) 822.14
14 Jose DIAZ (USA) 800.01
15 Jake BREDENBECK (USA) 756.00

16 Adam MANILLA (USA) 706.03
17 Robert COLLINS (USA) 649.82
18 Nicholas RIFFEL (USA) 521.02
19 Justus BENSON (USA) 520.81
20 Thomas CARTER (USA) 478.03

Throwback Thursday - Rankings version

We came across the IRT rankings from three years ago, and it’s interesting to compare it to the current rankings. First, Carson was #1 in March 2015, as he is now, yet Waselenchuk - then #2 - finished that season as #1. Also, Daniel De La Rosa and Alvaro Beltran were in the top four in 2015, as they are now, although they have flipped positions with De La Rosa 3rd and Beltran 4th now.

But of the rest of the top 10 only Jansen Allen is still there three years later, and - perhaps appropriately - Allen is 7th now just as he was in 2015.

Four of the other top 10 players in March 2015 - Ben Croft, Jose Rojas, Marco Rojas and Tony Carson - aren’t even in the top 20 now, while Charles Pratt, who was 9th in 2015, is only 13th now, although he won an IRT event this season. Given the choice between winning an event and being in the top 10 in March, Pratt would likely take the title over the ranking.

Of the players in the next 10 in 2015, Alejandro Landa has jumped up to be 5th now, but only two of the other players are still in the top 20. Jose Diaz was 13th two years ago and is 14th now, and Robert Collins was 16th two years ago and is now 17th.

IRT Rankings - March 23, 2015

Rank - Player - Country - Points

1 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3592
2 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3590
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 2862
4 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 2226
5 Ben CROFT (USA) 2080

6 Jose ROJAS (USA) 2046
7 Jansen ALLEN (USA) 1594
8 Marco ROJAS (USA) 1411
9 Charlie PRATT (USA) 1344
10 Tony CARSON (USA) 1158

11 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 1010
12 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 950
13 Jose DIAZ (USA) 759
14 Matthew MAJXNER (USA) 689
15 Danny LAVELY (USA) 688

16 Robert COLLINS (USA) 595
17 Cliff SWAIN (USA) 543
18 Tim LANDERYOU (Canada) 503
19 Coby IWAASA (Canada) 458
20 Alejandro HERRERA (Colombia) 409

The 2017-18 IRT season will next be in action April 5-8 with the Mercedes-Benz of Ft. Mitchell Raising Some Racquet for Kids in Cincinnati, and the last singles Tier 1 event of the season will be April 26-29 at the Florida IRT Regional Championships in Sarasota.

But the season ends with a special event: the 2018 World Doubles Open Championships in Denver, May 2-6. This championship will be a combined IRT and Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) event with doubles only, but also mixed doubles, so the best of the IRT will pair up with the best of LPRT, which should be a fun time.

Follow the bouncing ball....

Parrilla defeats Horn to win his 1st title at the 2018 IRT Shamrock Shootout

Andree Parrilla went one better than last year at the 2018 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Shamrock Shootout in Lombard, Illinois, as he was the runner up in 2017, but Sunday, he won his first IRT Tier 1 event by defeating David Horn, 15-1, 15-9. It was a historic final, as both Parrilla and Horn were seeded outside the top 8, which was a first for an IRT final. The previous closest final with two high seeds was the Portland event earlier this season, when Charles Pratt, seeded 14th, defeated 8th seed Mario Mercado.

Parrilla is the fourth 1st time winner on the IRT this season, joining Charlie Pratt, Alejandro Landa and Sebastian Franco. He’s the 6ht different winner this season along with Kane Waselenchuk, Daniel De La Rosa, Pratt, Landa and Franco. Parrilla is also the 4th Mexican player to win an IRT event after Alvaro Beltran, De La Rosa and Landa. Overall, Parrilla is the 39th IRT event winner.

It was an “amazing experience,” said Parrilla. He “was looking for this [an IRT victory] since I started.” Asked about why he does so well in Lombard, Parrilla said it was “the people that come watch.”

“Hats off to Andree,” said Horn afterwards. He “played a great match,” and “played better.” Horn said Parrilla “had a better game plan … [that] … forced me to play below my level.”

But Horn also said he was “happy to make my first final,” saying “that’s awesome.”

Parrilla is a control player and he completely controlled game one winning it comfortably, as the great play Horn showed in winning his semi-final against Daniel De La Rosa on Saturday was completely missing.

In game two, it was more of the same, as Parrilla went up 8-1. But then Horn managed to turn the tide, and stepped up his game. He came back to tie the game at 9-9. Then the game stalled, as they went back and fourth for eight rallies.

Parrilla broke the deadlock with a forehand cross court shot, but Horn had a golden opportunity to win the rally, as he had a set up in the front court. However, Horn drove the ball back to where Parrilla was on the right side, and Parrilla was able to direct it over to the left well easily past Horn who was trapped in the front court.

Horn never served again, as Parrilla ran five straight points. Horn did call a timeout at 13-9, but when play resumed, he skipped a forehand return as Parrilla drove the ball to the right side.

Appropriately, Parrilla’s match winner was a forehand pinch shot: his favorite. Horn had hit a forehand wide angle pass that came off the back wall towards the right wall, perfectly in position for Parrilla to pinch it into the front right corner.

Sebastian Franco and Mario Mercado won the IRT Doubles title, as they got a forfeit win over Alejandro Landa and Samuel Murray, who picked up an injury during his semi-final with Parrilla Saturday, and he wasn’t able to play Sunday.

The next IRT event will be the Mercedes-Benz of Ft. Mitchell Raising Some Racquet for Kids in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 5-8.

2018 IRT Shamrock Shootout, March 15-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois

Final - Sunday

Andree Parrilla d. David Horn, 15-1, 15-9

IRT Doubles - Final - Sunday

3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado d. 4) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray, forfeit

Follow the bouncing ball….

Parrilla & Horn in final of 2018 IRT Shamrock Shootout

For the first time in International Racquetball Tour (IRT) history a final will be contested by two players seeded outside of the top 8, when 9th seed Andree Parrilla and 11th seed David Horn meet in the final of the 2018 IRT Shamrock Shootout in Lombard, Illinois. Moreover, both Parrilla and Horn will be trying to win their first IRT title. Horn will be playing in his first IRT final, while Parrilla will be in just his second. He was in the Shamrock Shootout final last year, when he lost to Kane Waselenchuk.

Horn pulled off the bigger upset to reach the final, as he beat 2nd seed Daniel De La Rosa, but he won their semi-final in two straight games, 15-9, 15-8. Parrilla needed a tie-breaker to get past 5th seed Samuel Murray, 15-8, 11-15, 11-2.

Parrilla looked like he was going to win in two games, as he led 9-5 in game two. But in the middle of that game, he took issue with a hinder call by the referee, and that seemed to switch the momentum to Murray, who ran seven points to lead 12-9. Parrilla did get to within one at 12-11, but Murray was able to close it out, 15-11.

In the breaker, they were back and forth early with the score at 1-0 for Parrilla after nine rallies. But Parrilla took control from there, going up 4-0, and 7-1, as he went on to win it comfortably at 11-2.

A consolation for Murray is that he will be in the IRT Doubles final, as he and Alejandro Landa defeated Alvaro Beltran and Daniel De La Rosa, 15-14, 15-4, in the semi-finals. They'll play 3) Sebastian Franco and Mario Mercado in the final, as Franco and Mercado defeated Jansen Allen and Felipe Camacho in the other semi, 13-15, 15-9, 11-5.

The singles final will be at noon Sunday, and can be seen on the IRT Network, and also check out the IRT FaceBook page. The doubles final will follow the singles final, and is scheduled for 1 PM Sunday. All times central.

2018 IRT Shamrock Shootout, March 15-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois

Semi-finals - Saturday

Andree Parrilla d. 5) Samuel Murray, 15-8, 11-15, 11-2
David Horn d. 2) Daniel De La Rosa. 15-9, 15-8

Final - Sunday

Andree Parrilla v. David Horn - Noon

IRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday

4) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa, 15-14, 15-4
3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado d. 2) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho, 13-15, 15-9, 11-5

IRT Doubles - Final - Sunday

3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 4) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - 1 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

2018 IRT March Madness - Preview

The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) will be back in action this weekend with the IRT March Madness tournament in San Antonio, Texas. That’s the good news. The sad news is that IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk is not in the draw, as he has not recovered from the knee injury he suffered at the Los Angeles Open in January. Also, Rocky Carson will not be there either, as he has a contractual obligation that conflicts with this event.

For those wondering when the last time neither Waselenchuk or Carson were in an IRT event, it was August 2000 in New Orleans. That’s remarkable enough, but it’s more remarkable that Carson has played every IRT tournament since then, so you needn’t even add Waselenchuk to this either / or question. That’s a streak of 215 events for Carson, which is the longest in IRT history, and nearly 100 more than the second longest streak of 118 tournaments by Chris Crowther.

The absence of Waselenchuk and Carson provides an opportunity for others, including the two players who have won the most recent IRT events: Daniel De La Rosa - the Los Angeles Open winner - and Alejandro Landa - the Lewis Drug Pro-Am winner. The last four IRT events have been won by different players: De La Rosa, Landa, Charlie Pratt and Waselenchuk, which hadn’t been done since the fall of 2013, when Jose Rojas, Waselenchuk, Alvaro Beltan and Carson won consecutive tournaments. If there’s a different winner in San Antonio, which means if neither De La Rosa or Landa win as Pratt and Waselenchuk aren’t there, there would be five different winners for the first time since 1995, when Andy Roberts, Sudsy Monchik, Drew Kachtik, Cliff Swain and John Ellis all won in a row.

De La Rosa and Landa will not meet in the final this weekend, as they did in Sioux Falls, as they are on the same side of the draw with De La Rosa the #1 seed and Landa the #4 seed. Beltran is the #2 seed and Jansen Allen #3. Is this the opportunity that Allen needs to win his first IRT event? The other top four seeds have all done so.

The dark horses this weekend are Mario Mercado, a runner up to Pratt in Portland in December, Andree Parrilla, who was an IRT finalist last season, and Samuel Murray, who has been in the semi-finals in two of the last three IRT events.

The IRT Network will have the action from San Antonio starting with the Round of 16 on Friday morning at 10 and 11:05 AM Central with the quarterfinals at 5:35 and 6:40 PM. The semi-finals will be at 10:10 AM and 11:15 AM Saturday with the final at 6:50 PM Saturday. For action on Thursday, check out the IRT Facebook page.

2018 IRT March Madness, March 1-4, 2018
San Antonio, Texas

Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday afternoon

Mauro Rojas v. David Mendoza
Christian Longoria v. Bruce Robles

Tyrone Gilmore v. Hanzel Martinez
Francisco Troncoso v. Lorenzo Valdez

Edwin Galicia v. Glenn Martineau
Erik Mendoza v. Jody Morris

Brennen Jennings v. Daniel Neri
Christian Wer v. Zachary Williams

Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday night

Q8) Juan Salvatierra v. Mauro Rojas or David Mendoza
Q1) Felipe Camacho v. Christian Longoria or Bruce Robles

Q4) Adam Manilla v. Tyrone Gilmore or Hanzel Martinez
Q5) Nicholas Riffel v. Francisco Troncoso or Lorenzo Valdez

Q6) Scott McClellan v. Edwin Galicia or Glenn Martineau
Q3) Robert Collins v. Erik Mendoza or Jody Morris

Q2) Jose Diaz v. Brennen Jennings or Daniel Neri
Q7) John Wolfe v. Christian Wer or Zachary Williams

Round of 16 - Friday

1) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q8
8) Andree Parrilla v. Q1

5) Mario Mercado v. Q4
4) Alejandro Landa v. Q5

3) Jansen Allen v. Q6
6) Samuel Murray v. Q3

7) Sebastian Franco v. Q2
2) Alvaro Beltran v. Q7

Follow the bouncing ball….

De La Rosa & Landa to meet in an all Mexican final at the IRT 40th Annual Lewis Drug Pro-Am

Daniel De La Rosa will have a chance to do what few players done: win back to back events on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), when he takes the court in the final of the 40th annual Lewis Drug Pro/Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. De La Rosa, who won the Los Angeles Open earlier this month, advanced to the final with a win over fellow Mexican Alvaro Beltran, 15-13, 6-15, 11-10.

Beltran is the first player to lose by only one point in a semi-final since the IRT adopted the win by one rule at the start of 2018.

Beltran got to 10 first in the breaker by using his patented high lob serve along the right side wall. But at 10-9, De La Rosa hit it early, putting a forehand pinch shot into the right corner for a winner.

De La Rosa tied the game at 10-10 with a solid backhand shot that was the third shot of a rally he started with a drive serve to Beltran’s backhand. De La Rosa won it on the next rally with a backhand pinch shot after Beltran had made a great dive to hit a backhand ceiling ball and keep the rally going.

Standing in De La Rosa’s way on Sunday will be another Mexican: Alejandro Landa, who defeated Samuel Murray, 15-11, 15-7, in the other semi-final on Saturday. This will be the fourth IRT final between two Mexicans. The first three were all between De La Rosa and Beltran with De La Rosa winning the most recent ones (in 2017 & 2014) and Beltran winning the first (2013).

In fact, the Lewis Drug Pro-Am is the first IRT event to have an all Mexican final twice, as De La Rosa and Beltran were in the final last year, when De La Rosa took the title.

If De La Rosa wins Sunday, he’ll have four IRT titles, and move past a tie with Beltran and others into a tie with Steve Keeley, Gregg Peck and Steve Serot on the career wins list. But Landa could become the 37th man to win an IRT event, and it would be the second 1st time winner in the last three events.

The last time there were two 1st time winners close together was 2012, when Jose Rojas and Ben Croft won back to back events. Before that you need to got back to 2001 to 2002 when Kane Waselenchuk and then Jack Huczek won their first IRT events, which was within in the span of four events.

Back in the period of 1989 to 1991, there were eight 1st time winners over only thirteen events (8 in 13!). First time winners during that period were Mike Ray, Drew Kachtik, Tim Doyle, Tim Sweeney, Andy Roberts, Jack Newman, Dan Obremski, and Brian Hawkes. Those were the only wins for Sweeney and Hawkes, while Newman and Obremski only won one other time.

Also worth noting: this was the first IRT event with no USA players in the semi-finals. And that’s without Kane Waslenchuk, a Canadian and the #1 IRT player, in in the draw. There have been many times when only one of the four semi-finalists has been from the USA. Perhaps the first time was at Pro Nationals in Las Vegas in 2004, when Waselenchuk defeated Beltran in the final, and the semi-finalists were Mike Green from Canada, and the USA’s Jason Mannino.

There were two good semi-finals in doubles as well, and one upset, as 8th seeds Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya beat 4th seeds Jansen Allen and Felipe Camacho, 15-10, 15-12. Mar and Montoya will take on 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz in the final Sunday, as Bredenbeck and Diaz outlasted 6th seeds David Horn and Mauro Rojas over three games, 15-11, 11-15, 11-5.

The singles final will be on the IRT Network at 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final at noon.

2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Semi-finals - Saturday

8) Alejandro Landa d. 5) Samuel Murray, 15-11, 15-7
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 15-13, 6-15, 11-10

Final - Sunday

2) Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Alejandro Landa - 11 AM

IRT Doubles Semi-finals - Saturday

8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho, 15-10, 15-12
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas, 15-11, 11-15, 11-5

IRT Doubles Semi-finals - Sunday

2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya

Follow the bouncing ball….

IRT matches to become best of 3 games

The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) announced this week that it will change its scoring system in 2018. Since 1981, IRT matches have been best of 5 games with each game to 11 points. Beginning in 2018, IRT matches will be best of 3 games with the first two games to 15 and tie-breaker to 11. 

Perhaps more importantly, each game will be win by one point. IRT games have been win by two since 1989.(1) 

The rationale given for this change was to make IRT matches consistent with USA Racquetball (USAR), International Racquetball Federation (IRF), and World Racquetball Tour (WRT) matches. Yet there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with the best of 5, win by 2 system, and unless something is a problem, there’s no reason to fix it. 

Also, having matches be the best of 5 games, when other organizations - especially the non-professional USAR - were using a best of 3 games format meant IRT matches were different from regular non-professional matches. It made them special. They will no longer be special.

The IRT also cites playing time as a consideration in making the change, suggesting overall match time could be reduced. A reduction in match time suggests the role of athlete fitness may be reduced, which is not good, because fitter athletes should be rewarded for being in better condition than their opponents.

The Racquetball Blog strongly believes games should be win by 2, not 1. Our reasoning is that racquetball involves serving, and having serve a big advantage in a rally. If a game is win by 1, then one lucky serve (or unlucky return) can determine the winner, which shouldn’t be the case. Every other sport involving serving - tennis, table tennis(2), squash, volleyball, badminton - uses a win by 2 rule. 

The only exceptions were USAR, the IRF and WRT, which uses IRF rules, and now the IRT. Racquetball Canada matches are best of 3 games (two to 15, breaker to 11) and win by 2. The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) singles matches are best of 5 games to 11, win by 2, and an LPRT representative told The Racquetball Blog they have no plans to change. LPRT doubles matches use the best of 3, win by 1 format. 

In making the change, the IRT cited US Open history which has yet to see a five game match in the final. Most of those finals have involved Kane Waselenchuk, who has rarely played five games with anyone, so that evidence is not compelling to us, especially when you consider the US Open is the longest pro event, so by the final one of the players may be in better condition than the other, and that small an advantage can make the difference. 

Moreover, it ignores US Open semi-final history that has given us some of the best matches in IRT history, including Cliff Swain versus Jack Huczek in 2004 and again in 2005, as well as Jason Mannino versus Huczek in 2006, and more recently Rocky Carson against Daniel De La Rosa, who split semi-final matches at the 2015 and 2016 US Opens. All those matches went five games and some took over two hours to play. They were great, but nothing like that will happen in 2018. Sad. 

Finally, changing the scoring system after 36 years means comparisons from matches in 2018 and on to matches from 1981-2017 will be impossible. Any single game records will not be valid moving forward, because the games will be a different length.

Line Judges

The IRT will allow line judges on an “as needed basis,” which seems like a good idea, as it will help to increase the likelihood the correct call is made. The discriminations in racquetball - was that a short serve? did the ball bounce twice before it was hit? - can be difficult at the best of times, so we’re all in favor of helping the referee make the correct decision.

Replay on the IRT Network will be the “primary option,” but line judges may be used depending on the local conditions.

Notes:
(1) History information from Pro Racquetball Historical Data Archive.
(2) Badminton games are to 21 win by 2, but are capped at 30, so if a game gets to 29-29, the person who gets the next point will win the game 30-29.

Follow the bouncing ball….

Team Standings & Summary - XXX Pan American Championships

The XXX Pan American Championships concluded Saturday in San Jose, Costa Rica, where Mexico won three of the four gold medals. If you’d known ahead of time that Mexico would win 3 of 4 events, the event you’d thought Mexico would win for sure was the even that they lost: Women’s Singles. Paola Longoria of Mexico had won 10 international events dating back to 2011 at the Pan American Championships, when the USA’s Rhonda Rajsich defeated her in the semi-finals.

Six years later Rajsich did it again, and her defeat of Longoria prevented the Mexican gold medal sweep.

Longoria did win gold in Women’s Doubles with Samantha Salas, and they are two of three winningest players at the Pan American Championships. Longoria has won gold Women’s Singles seven times and five times in Women’s Doubles, while Salas has won seven gold in Women’s Doubles. (note: Jackie Paraiso has the second most Pan American Champoinship gold medals winning one in Women’s Singles & nine in Women’s Doubles).

Rajsich’s gold was her fifth at the Pan American Championships, and she’s tied for fifth most all time with fellow American Cheryl Gudinas.

Mexican Polo Gutierrez won Men’s Doubles with Alejandro Landa, and that put his career gold medal count at four from the Pan American Championships, which ties him with countryman Alvaro Beltran, and is one behind the men’s leaders Javier Moreno of Mexico and American Bill Sell, who both have five. Gutierrez previously won gold at the Pan American Championships in 2011 and 2013 playing Men’s Doubles with Moreno, and he also won Men’s Singles in 2103.

Six men other men have won both singles and doubles at the Pan American Championships: Beltran, Sell, Mike Green (Canada), Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico), Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) and Landa, who now has three Pan American Championships, which puts him into a tie with five other players on the all time list.

Team Standings

Mexico finished first in the team standings in Men’s and Women’s and Overall categories, and the USA were the runners up in all three categories. In the Men’s standings Bolivia was 3rd with Canada 4th, while in the Women’s standings Ecuador was 3rd and Guatemala 4th. Overall, Bolivia was 3rd with Ecuador and Guatemala tying for 4th.

Future Events

Announced during the event broadcasts was that the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) Junior World Championships will be in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA in November. Also, the XXXI Pan American Championships will be March 24-31, 2018, and although the location hasn’t been finalized Temuco, Chile was mentioned as the most likely site.

XXX Pan American Racquetball Championships
San Jose, Costa Rica - April 8-15, 2017

Women's Singles

Gold - Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
Silver - Paola Longoria (Mexico)
Bronze - Samantha Salas (Mexico), Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala)

Women's Doubles

Gold - Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico)
Silver - Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador)
Bronze - Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich (USA), Andrea Martinez & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala)

Men's Singles

Gold - Alejandro Landa (Mexico)
Silver - Charlie Pratt (USA)
Bronze - Andres Acuña (Costa Rica), Javier Mar (Mexico)

Men's Doubles

Gold - Polo Gutierrez & Alejandro Landa (Mexico)
Silver - Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn (USA)
Bronze - Ramon De Leon & Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)

Team Standings

Women’s (points)

1. Mexico - 432
2. USA - 316
3. Guatemala - 228
4. Ecuador - 218
5. Bolivia - 128
6. Chile - 122
7. Argentina - 118
8. Colombia - 102
9. Venezuela - 94
10. Dominican Republic - 90
11. Cuba - 84
12. Canada & Costa Rica - 74
14. Honduras - 18

Men’s (points)

1. Mexico - 472
2. USA - 352
3. Bolivia - 196
4. Canada - 192
5. Costa Rica - 186
6. Dominican Republic - 150
7. Argentina - 110
8. Colombia - 100
9. Ecuador - 92
10. Guatemala - 82
11. Chile & Venezuela - 64
13. Cuba - 56
14. Honduras - 40
15. Nicaragua - 10

Overall (points)

1. Mexico - 904
2. USA - 668
3. Bolivia - 324
4. Guatemala & Ecuador - 310
6. Canada - 266
7. Costa Rica - 260
8. Dominican Republic - 240
9. Argentina - 228
10. Colombia - 202
11. Chile - 186
12. Venezuela - 158
13. Cuba - 140
14. Honduras - 58
15. Nicaragua - 10

Follow the bouncing ball....

USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships - Summary

The 2017 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships concluded Saturday, and we’ve put this year’s top four players in the record with other top four finishers going back to 2006.

Thomas Carter of Baldwin Wallace University won Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles, and he’s the first Baldwin Wallace man to win singles since Shane Vanderson in 2001. Also, Carter and Manolo Sandoval are the first Baldwin Wallace team to win doubles since Vanderson and Andy Hawthorne in 2003.

These wins helped Baldwin Wallace capture the Men’s Team trophy. Oregon State won the Overall Team title with Baldwin Wallace coming second. We’ve got these results from the USA Racquetball Instagram account, so we haven’t seen an official release of the team results.

2017 marked the last year for Brad Schopieray of Colorado State, Pueblo. Lefthander Schopieray was a finalist in Men’s Doubles in all four years at Intercollegiates, winning the title in his first year with Felipe Camacho. Schopieray played with Jacob Matthews in 2015, Jeremy McGlothin in 2016 and Erik Garcia this year. Schopieray won Men’s #2 Singles this year, and was 4th in Men’s #1 Singles last year and in 2015. In 2014, he won Men’s #3 Singles.

This could also have been Adam Manilla’s last year at Intercollegiates, although he missed last year due to injury, so perhaps he has another year of eligibility. Regardless, Manilla has had a fine Intercollegiate record. He won Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles in 2015, and in 2014, Manilla was third in Men’s Singles and second in Men’s Doubles. This year Manilla was third in both Men’s Singles and Doubles. Nick Riffel was his doubles partner each year.

In defending her Women’s Singles Intercollegiate title, Carla Muñoz becomes the third non-USA player to win this title back to back after Canadians Christie Van Hees (now Christie Huczek) in 1998 and 1999, and Crystal Fried in 1985 and 1986.

Erika Manilla and Erin Boadway of Northern Arizona won Women’s Doubles in what was Manilla’s first year of Intercollegiates, and Boadway won Women’s #2 Singles. Could they win doubles all four years? No, because Boadway is a senior, so it was her last year as a student.

Nonetheless, Manilla has at least a chance to win Women’s Doubles all four years. If she does, she’ll be the second woman to do so, as Sharon Jackson won Women’s Doubles all four years while playing for the University of Alabama from 2009 to 2012. The first two years Jackson’s partner was Kara Mazur, while she won with Brittany Travers in 2011 and Madeleine Angles in 2012.

Erica Lipski of Oregon State played her last year of Intercollegiates this year. She partnered with Lexi York to win Women’s #1 Doubles last year, although they came 3rd this year. But that’s great progress for a player who was on the Women’s #3 Doubles team in her first Intercollegiate Chaampionship (she won that division with Patricia Billette). Also, Lipski played #5 singles in 2014, which she won, and this year she played #2 singles, finished 2nd to Boadway. This is the kind of development you want to see across four years of play, and we’re sure her coaches are very proud of her. Also, Lipski’s been a big contributor to Oregon State’s team success at Intercollegiates.

The next USA Racquetball event is the National Singles Championships on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, May 24-28, 2017.

USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champions

Women's Singles

2017

1) Carla Muñoz (Colorado State)
2) Melania Sauma (Arizona State)
3) Lexi York (Oregon State)
4) Katie Nieswiadomy (Texas A&M)

2016

1) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas)
2) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
3) Lexi York (Oregon State)
4) Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College)

2015

1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
2) Elizabeth Simmons (Arizona)
3) Hannah Shnurman (Northern Colorado)
4) Rachel Creel (Oregon State)

2014

1. Devon Pimentelli (Canada College)
2. Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State)
3. Samantha Simmons (Maryland)
4. Elizabeth Simmons (Arizona)

2013

1. Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
2. Danielle Key (Arizona State)
3. Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State)
4. Kelly Gremley (Purdue)

2012

1. Sharon Jackson (Alabama)
2. Danielle Key (Arizona State)
3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Hailey Miller (Oregon)

2011

1. Michelle Key (Arizona State)
2. Sharon Jackson (Univ. of Alabama)
3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Kelly Gremley (Purdue)

2010

1. Sharon Jackson (Univ. of Alabama)
2. Michelle Key (Univ. of Arizona)
3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)

2009

1. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
2. Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
3. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4. Teresa Diaz (Delta College)

2008

1. Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2. Sarah Hettesheimer (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4. Sue Sublaban (Delta College)

2007

1. Kimberly Irons (Ohio University)
2. Jesi Fuller (University of New Mexico)
3. Da'monique Davis (University of Alabama)
4. Sarah Hettesheimer (Baldwin Wallace)

2006

1. Adrienne Fisher (University of Alabama)
2. Ashley Legget (Oregon State)
3. Jesi Fuller (University of New Mexico)
4. Allison Dauer (North Carolina)

Women's Doubles

2017

1) Erin Boadway & Erika Manilla (Northern Arizona)
2) Samantha Baker & Carla Muñoz (Colorado State)
3) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State)
4) Madeline Gauch & Christina Hughes (Missouri)

2016

1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State)
2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri)
3) Jessilee Loucks & Lindsey Raven (Brigham Young)
4) Alexis Templeton & Antonia Duran (New Mexico)

2015

1) Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
2) Rachel Creel & Sarah Lewis (Oregon State)
3) Anna Schwartz & Madeline Gauch (Missouri)
4) Stefanie Nissley & Kerry Ryan (Pennsylvania State)

2014

1. Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
2. Amanda Lindsay & Karissa Beatty (Oregon State)
3. Anna Schwartz & Rachel Schmidt (Missouri)
4. Adrienne Schneider & Sara Moulton (Brigham Young)

2013

1. Danielle Key & Devon Pimentelli (Arizona State)
2. Amanda Lindsay & Karissa Beatty (Oregon State)
3. Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
4. Eliza Culverwell & Mary Culverwell (Brigham Young)

2012

1. Madeleine Angles & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)
2. Molly Haragan & Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Danielle Key & Izayadeth Aguayo (Arizona State)
4. Leah Redwine & Hailey Miller (University Of Oregon)

2011

1. Sharon Jackson & Brittany Travers (University of Alabama)
2. Sheryl Lotts & Tracy Hawthorne (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Hailey Miller & Leah Redwine (University of Oregon)
4. Izayadeth Aguayo & Michelle Key (Arizona State)

2010

1. Sharon Jackson & Kara Mazur (University of Alabama)
2. Sheryl Lotts & Tracy Hawthorne (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Haley Strom & Holly Hettesheimer (University Of Cincinnati)
4. Izayadeth Aguayo & Michelle Key (Arizona State)

2009

1. Sharon Jackson & Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2. Sarah Hettesheimer & Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Alyssa Asay & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4. Eliza Culverwell & Charlotte Macfarlane (Brigham Young)

2008

1. Alyssa Asay & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
2. Mallory Parry & Darla Wenger (Brigham Young)
3. Sarah Hettesheimer & Tyler Fridley (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Kara Mazer & Brittany Travers (University of Alabama)

2007

1. Da'monique Davis & Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2. Sarah Hettesheimer & Kristin Matushevski (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Michelle Key & Jessica Montemayor (Arizona State)
4. Mallory Parry & Katherine Affeltranger (Brigham Young)

2006

1. Ashley Legget & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
2. Da'monique Davis & Kelley Fisher (University of Alabama)
3. Jesi Fuller & Natalie Alexia Lopez (New Mexico State)
4. Gretchen Miller & Kristen Karl (Pennsylvania State)

Men's Singles

2017

1) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace)
2) Erik Garcia (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Adam Manilla (Colorado)
4) Mauro Rojas (Delta College)

2016

1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
2) David Horn (California State-Hayward)
3) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)

2015

1) Adam Manilla (Colorado)
2) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
3) Dylan Reid (Washington University)
4) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)

2014

1. Jose Diaz (Delta College)
2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Adam Manilla (Colorado State)
4. Joel Barshaw (Oregon State)

2013

1. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Cole Burr (Brigham Young)
4. Jordan Matthews (North Carolina State)

2012

1. Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
3. John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.)
4. Jose Diaz (Delta College)

2011

1. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Danny Lavely (Univ. of Alabama)
4. John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.)

2010

1. Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2. Taylor Knoth (Univ. of Oregon)
3. Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)
4. Allan Crockett (Univ. of Alabama)

2009

1. Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2. Allan Crockett (University of Alabama)
3. Tony Carson (Colorado State)
4. Anthony Herrera (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)

2008

1. Tony Carson (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Anthony Herrera (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)
3. Bradly Rogers (Wichita)
4. Allan Crockett (University of Alabama)

2007

1. Ben Croft (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Agustin Tristan (University of Alabama)
3. Evan Ussery (University of New Mexico)
4. Phil Matthews (University of Illinois)

2006

1. Ben Croft (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Agustin Tristan (University of Alabama)
3. Mike Harmon (Manatee Community College)
4. Louis Vogel (University of New Mexico)

Men's Doubles

2017

1) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace)
2) Erik Garcia & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Adam Manilla & Nick Riffel (Colorado)
4) Mauro Rojas & Francisco Troncoso (Delta College)

2016

1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
2) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Matt McAdam & Nick Riffel (Colorado)

2015

1) Adam Manilla & Nick Riffel (Colorado)
2) Jacob Matthews & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Joel Bradshow & Sam Reid (Oregon State)
4) Jon Lanford & Alex Howard (Texas)

2014

1. Felipe Camacho & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Adam Manilla & Nick Riffel (Colorado State)
3. Joel Bradshow & Sam Reid (Oregon State)
4. Danny Sardina & Zachary Patterson (Arizona State)

2013

1. Taylor Knoth & Joel Bradshow (Oregon State)
2. Nick Montalbano & Jake Bredenbeck (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Cole Burr & Brian Zundel (Brigham Young)
4. Alex Fischler & Joe Koch (Missouri)

2012

1. Jansen Allen & Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Grant Stalley & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
3. Brad Falvey & Danny Lavely (Alabama)
4. Cole Burr & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young)

2011

1. Felipe Camacho & Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Allan Crockett & Danny Lavely (University of Alabama)
3. Joey Pryor & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
4. Jeff Skanchy & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young)

2010

1. David Horn & Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2. Jansen Allen & Tyler Otto (Colorado State)
3. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)
4. David Laforest & Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)

2009

1. Tony Carson & Jansen Allen (Colorado State)
2. Jose Rojas & Ismael Aldana Jr. (Delta College)
3. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)
4. Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)

2008

1. Tony Carson & Charlie Pratt (Colorado State)
2. Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)
3. David Laforest & Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)
4. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)

2007

1. Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (Colorado State)
2. Chris Crockett & Shane Karmelin (University of Alabama)
3. Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Marco Hidalgo & Evan Ussery (New Mexico State)

2006

1. Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (Colorado State)
2. Augustin Tristan & Shane Karmelin (University of Alabama)
3. Scott Perryman & Jared Torres (Brigham Young)
4. Joe Linnell & Benjamin Toth (Ohio State)

Follow the bouncing ball....

USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships - 2016 Summary & History

The 2016 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships wrapped up on the weekend, and we have a rundown of this year’s top four finishers, as well as the top fours going back to 2006.

The team prizes went to Oregon State, who won both the Overall title and the Women’s title, while Baldwin Wallace won the Men’s title. for you, as well as to put the top four players in each of the divisions into their place on the roll of excellence from the last few seasons.

Carla Muñoz, a student Las Positas College, won the Women’s #1 title, but she didn’t get the accompanying appointment to the USA Racquetball National Team that goes with winning the intercollegiates, because she’s Chilean. Muñoz isn’t the first non-American to win the intercollegiate women’s title.

Canadian Christie Van Hees (now Christie Huczek) won in 1998 and 1999, and Mexican Susana Acosta won in 2000. In those years, players attending universities outside the USA were allowed to play in intercollegiates, but that is no longer the case.

Three non-American men have won Men’s #1 Intercollegiates: Mexicans Luis Bustillos won in 1999, and Javier Moreno won in 2000. And way back in 1986 Canadian Roger Harripersad won the title. But all three of those players represented US schools. Bustillos was attending the University of Southern Colorado, Moreno was at the University of Memphis and Harripersad at Sacramento State.

In Men’s #1 Doubles, Costa Rican Felipe Camacho has won the title twice in recent years. He won in 2014 with Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo), and in 2011 with Jansen Allen. But he was the first non-American to do so.

The first non-American to win was Venezuelan Fabian Balmori, who won the title in 1994 with Luis Muñoz (who may also have been non-American, but we don’t have confirmation of that) while representing Memphis State University.

Muñoz won the title with Moreno in 1996 for the University of Southern Colorado, which was the first of four years for that school. In 1997, Moreno and Bustillos won it, then Bustillos and Willie Tilton won back to back in 1998- and 1999. In 2000, Moreno won it again with Mexican Ceasar Carrillo while representing the University of Memphis, and Carrillo won again in 2001 with Jeffrey Garner.

The first non-Americans to win Women’s #1 Doubles were Canadians Crystal Fried and Tracy Easgleson who represented Sacramento State back in 1985. Then in 1999, Mexican Susana Acosta won with Johanna Shattuck representing the University of Southern Colorado. Acosta won again in 2000 with Dina Garcia playing for the University of Chihuahua, Mexico.

The next USA Racquetball event is the National Singles Championships in Denver, Colorado May 25-29.

USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champions

Women's Singles

2016

1) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas)
2) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
3) Lexi York (Oregon State)
4) Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College)

2015

1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
2) Elizabeth Simmons (Arizona)
3) Hannah Shnurman (Northern Colorado)
4) Rachel Creel (Oregon State)

2014

1. Devon Pimentelli (Canada College)
2. Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State)
3. Samantha Simmons (Maryland)
4. Elizabeth Simmons (Arizona)

2013

1. Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
2. Danielle Key (Arizona State)
3. Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State)
4. Kelly Gremley (Purdue)

2012

1. Sharon Jackson (Alabama)
2. Danielle Key (Arizona State)
3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Hailey Miller (Oregon)

2011

1. Michelle Key (Arizona State)
2. Sharon Jackson (Univ. of Alabama)
3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Kelly Gremley (Purdue)

2010

1. Sharon Jackson (Univ. of Alabama)
2. Michelle Key (Univ. of Arizona)
3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)

2009

1. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
2. Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
3. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4. Teresa Diaz (Delta College)

2008

1. Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2. Sarah Hettesheimer (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4. Sue Sublaban (Delta College)

2007

1. Kimberly Irons (Ohio University)
2. Jesi Fuller (University of New Mexico)
3. Da'monique Davis (University of Alabama)
4. Sarah Hettesheimer (Baldwin Wallace)

2006

1. Adrienne Fisher (University of Alabama)
2. Ashley Legget (Oregon State)
3. Jesi Fuller (University of New Mexico)
4. Allison Dauer (North Carolina)

Women's Doubles

2016

1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State)
2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri)
3) Jessilee Loucks & Lindsey Raven (Brigham Young)
4) Alexis Templeton & Antonia Duran (New Mexico)

2015

1) Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
2) Rachel Creel & Sarah Lewis (Oregon State)
3) Anna Schwartz & Madeline Gauch (Missouri)
4) Stefanie Nissley & Kerry Ryan (Pennsylvania State)

2014

1. Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
2. Amanda Lindsay & Karissa Beatty (Oregon State)
3. Anna Schwartz & Rachel Schmidt (Missouri)
4. Adrienne Schneider & Sara Moulton (Brigham Young)

2013

1. Danielle Key & Devon Pimentelli (Arizona State)
2. Amanda Lindsay & Karissa Beatty (Oregon State)
3. Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
4. Eliza Culverwell & Mary Culverwell (Brigham Young)

2012

1. Madeleine Angles & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)
2. Molly Haragan & Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Danielle Key & Izayadeth Aguayo (Arizona State)
4. Leah Redwine & Hailey Miller (University Of Oregon)

2011

1. Brittany Travers & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)
2. Sheryl Lotts & Tracy Hawthorne (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Hailey Miller & Leah Redwine (University of Oregon)
4. Izayadeth Aguayo & Michelle Key (Arizona State)

2010

1. Kara Mazur & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)
2. Sheryl Lotts & Tracy Hawthorne (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Haley Strom & Holly Hettesheimer (University Of Cincinnati)
4. Izayadeth Aguayo & Michelle Key (Arizona State)

2009

1. Sharon Jackson & Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2. Sarah Hettesheimer & Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Alyssa Asay & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4. Eliza Culverwell & Charlotte Macfarlane (Brigham Young)

2008

1. Alyssa Asay & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
2. Mallory Parry & Darla Wenger (Brigham Young)
3. Sarah Hettesheimer & Tyler Fridley (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Kara Mazer & Brittany Travers (University of Alabama)

2007

1. Da'monique Davis & Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2. Sarah Hettesheimer & Kristin Matushevski (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Michelle Key & Jessica Montemayor (Arizona State)
4. Mallory Parry & Katherine Affeltranger (Brigham Young)

2006

1. Ashley Legget & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
2. Da'monique Davis & Kelley Fisher (University of Alabama)
3. Jesi Fuller & Natalie Alexia Lopez (New Mexico State)
4. Gretchen Miller & Kristen Karl (Pennsylvania State)

Men's Singles

2016

1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
2) David Horn (California State-Hayward)
3) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State)

2015

1) Adam Manilla (Colorado)
2) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
3) Dylan Reid (Washington University)
4) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State)

2014

1. Jose Diaz (Delta College)
2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Adam Manilla (Colorado State)
4. Joel Barshaw (Oregon State)

2013

1. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Cole Burr (Brigham Young)
4. Jordan Matthews (North Carolina State)

2012

1. Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
3. John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.)
4. Jose Diaz (Delta College)

2011

1. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Danny Lavely (Univ. of Alabama)
4. John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.)

2010

1. Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2. Taylor Knoth (Univ. of Oregon)
3. Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)
4. Allan Crockett (Univ. of Alabama)

2009

1. Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2. Allan Crockett (University of Alabama)
3. Tony Carson (Colorado State)
4. Anthony Herrera (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)

2008

1. Tony Carson (Colorado State)
2. Anthony Herrera (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)
3. Bradly Rogers (Wichita)
4. Allan Crockett (University of Alabama)

2007

1. Ben Croft (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Agustin Tristan (University of Alabama)
3. Evan Ussery (University of New Mexico)
4. Phil Matthews (University of Illinois)

2006

1. Ben Croft (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Agustin Tristan (University of Alabama)
3. Mike Harmon (Manatee Community College)
4. Louis Vogel (University of New Mexico)

Men's Doubles

2016

1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
2) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Matt McAdam & Nick Riffel (Colorado)

2015

1) Adam Manilla & Nick Riffel (Colorado)
2) Jacob Matthews & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Joel Bradshow & Sam Reid (Oregon State)
4) Jon Lanford & Alex Howard (Texas)

2014

1. Felipe Camacho & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Adam Manilla & Nick Riffel (Colorado State)
3. Joel Bradshow & Sam Reid (Oregon State)
4. Danny Sardina & Zachary Patterson (Arizona State)

2013

1. Taylor Knoth & Joel Bradshow (Oregon State)
2. Nick Montalbano & Jake Bredenbeck (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Cole Burr & Brian Zundel (Brigham Young)
4. Alex Fischler & Joe Koch (Missouri)

2012

1. Jansen Allen & Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Grant Stalley & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
3. Brad Falvey & Danny Lavely (Alabama)
4. Cole Burr & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young)

2011

1. Felipe Camacho & Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Allan Crockett & Danny Lavely (University of Alabama)
3. Joey Pryor & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
4. Jeff Skanchy & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young)

2010

1. David Horn & Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2. Jansen Allen & Tyler Otto (Colorado State)
3. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)
4. David Laforest & Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)

2009

1. Tony Carson & Jansen Allen (Colorado State)
2. Jose Rojas & Ismael Aldana Jr. (Delta College)
3. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)
4. Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)

2008

1. Tony Carson & Charlie Pratt (Colorado State)
2. Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)
3. David Laforest & Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)
4. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)

2007

1. Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (Colorado State)
2. Chris Crockett & Shane Karmelin (University of Alabama)
3. Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Marco Hidalgo & Evan Ussery (New Mexico State)

2006

1. Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (Colorado State)
2. Augustin Tristan & Shane Karmelin (University of Alabama)
3. Scott Perryman & Jared Torres (Brigham Young)
4. Joe Linnell & Benjamin Toth (Ohio State)

Follow the bouncing ball....

Ten years of IRF World Juniors: 2006-2015

Any athlete’s career is time limited. Athletes have some control over how long their careers are, but injuries and luck can play a significant role in how long athletes compete. For junior athletes, the period of competition is limited by their age.

The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Championships World Cup competition has players compete in three age divisions: 18 and under, or U18, U16, and U14. World Juniors does have competitions for younger ages, but those are a different competition (the Esprit Cup). Thus, a junior racquetball player has six years of World Cup eligibility, although sometimes a player will play in the U14 division even though they are younger than 13.

The Racquetball Blog staff combed through its records of World Junior World Cup results, and has compiled a list of how players have done over the last 10 years, which is the period for which we have complete records.

To make comparisons, we assigned points for bronze, silver and gold medal finishes. We gave 1 point for a bronze medal, 2 pts for silver and 4 pts for gold. Given that point system here’s the top 10 players over the last decade of World Juniors.

IRF World Juniors Performances 2006-2015

Boys

1. Marco Rojas (USA) - 29 points = 6 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze
2. Cristian Longoria (Mexico) - 24 pts = 6, 0, 0
3. Jose Rojas (USA) - 24 pts = 5, 2, 0
4. Carlos Keller (Bolivia) - 24 pts = 4, 3, 2
5. Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - 22 pts = 5, 1, 0
6. Jose Diaz (USA) - 20 pts = 4, 2, 0
7. Alejandro Cardona (Mexico) - 18 pts = 3, 3, 0
8. Erik Garcia (Mexico) - 17 pts = 4, 0, 1
9. Javier Mar (Mexico) - 16 pts = 4, 0, 0
10. Taylor Knoth (USA) - 15 pts = 2, 2, 3

Girls

1. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) - 30 points = 6, 2, 2
2. Diana Aguilar (Mexico) - 28 pts = 6, 2, 0
3. Aubrey O’brien (USA) - 26 pts = 5, 2, 2
4. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) - 24 pts = 3, 5, 2
5. Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) - 23 pts = 5, 1, 1
6. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - 22 pts = 4, 2, 2
7. Paola Longoria (Mexico) - 20 pts = 4, 2, 0
8. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico) - 20 pts = 3, 4, 0
9. Danielle Key (USA) - 19 pts = 4, 0, 3
10. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica) - 17 pts = 3, 1, 3

Over the last decade Maria Jose Vargas has had the best record at World Juniors, followed by Marco Rojas. Cristian Longoria and Diana Aguilar still have junior eligibility left. Longoria has two years, and Aguilar one. Aguilar’s total might have been higher, but she was absent from this year’s World Juniors due to injury. Similarly, Rojas missed World Juniors in 2011 due to injury.

Longoria has been perfect the last three years, winning singles and doubles in U14 once and U16 twice, but as he wasn’t on the team in his first year of U14 eligibility, so he won’t have a perfect record of World Cup outcomes.

Has any junior been perfect?

The data we have prior to 2006 is only for gold medalists, but if we include that data back to 2000, then the highest points are for Longoria’s older sister Paola, who had 48 points on the strength of 11 gold medals and 2 silver medals in seven years of World Cup competition (Longoria won gold in Girl’s U14 Doubles at age 12). But again that’s not a perfect gold medal record. Does anyone have a perfect record in World Cup competition at World Juniors?

Perhaps the player who came closest is Mexican David Ortega, who won gold in boy’s doubles with Ruben Estrada six straight years, and also won gold in his first five years of singles play. But in his last year of juniors, Ortega lost to Jose Rojas in the quarterfinals of Boy's U18, and Rojas was playing two singles divisions that year, as he also played Boy’s U16 Singles that year (2007), and won that title.

In perhaps a bit of irony (or revenge), Estrada defeated Rojas in the U18 final in 2007, which was Estrada only singles title.

Bringing it back to current players, Natalia Mendez also has a year of junior eligibility left, and Gabriela Martinez has three years left, although to maximize her points, she’ll need to make sure she has a doubles partner for all of those years.

Kudos to Erik Garcia of Mexico, who won gold in doubles his last three years of juniors (and 4 of last 5), and he not a left handed player. Also, Costa Ricans Melania Sauma and Sofia Soley have won gold in girl’s doubles three of the last four years. The year they didn’t - 2013 - Soley didn’t compete at World Juniors due to injury.

Does this mean anything?

There is much discussion of kids being the future of the sport, and people projecting junior stars as superstars of the future. But that’s tricky business. Junior sports performances don’t predict adult sports performances very well.

Kane Waselenchuk never won a World Cup division at World Juniors. In fact, he didn’t play many times at World Juniors. But Paola Longoria played a lot, did well, and continues to do so as an adult.

Of the other top International Racquetball Tour (IRT) and Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) players, some did well as juniors, like Vargas, and Rocky Carson, who won Boy’s U18 three times. But other weren’t especially great as juniors. Alvaro Beltran and Daniel De La Rosa never won gold in the World Cup divisions. Michelle Key only won one gold medal at World Juniors, and Rhonda Rajsich three.

Yet some who did well as juniors fade away. There are 270 players in the database from the last decade (plus the gold medalists back to 2000). Many of those players you’ve never heard of or have forgotten about, because they stopped playing after their junior years even if they won multiple championships. We’re not sure if Ortega is still playing, for example. Going back a bit further, Canadian Lisa Kerr won Girl’s U18 twice - in 1997 and 1998 - but she stopped playing a year or two later. Currently, Kerr has taken up an appointment as a law professor at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, proving life can be good after racquetball.

Nonetheless it’s interesting to reflect on recent junior performances. It’s fun that there are five countries represented in the top 10 girl’s of the last decade. The boy’s is a split between Mexicans and Americans with one Bolivian, Carlos Keller, which somewhat supports our point last week about how Bolivians will show up at World Juniors who you’ve never heard of, yet they will still win.

Consider that Mario Mercado arrived at World Juniors last year having never won a World Cup medal, and proceeded to win gold in Boy’s U18, beating Canadian Coby Iwaasa in the semi-finals, and defending champion and fellow Bolivian Conrado Moscoso in the final. Holy coming out of nowhere, Batman!

Surprises of that sort are what makes sport fun, and why people want to keep playing for as long as they can.

Follow the bouncing ball….

Longoria top LPRT rankings for 6th time

Several changes in the top 20 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season ending rankings from 2013-14 to 2014-15, including changes in the top five. But for the 4th season in a row - and 6th in the last 7 seasons - Paola Longoria is the #1 women's professional racquetball player. Her six season ending #1 titles tie her for 2nd all time with Lynn Adams and put her one behind Michelle Gould with seven.

But the LPRT's #2 player has changed, as Maria Jose Vargas passed Rhonda Rajsich this season for the second spot, which is a career best finish for Vargas. Rajsich is #3.

Also on a career high is Frédérique Lambert, who finished 4th ahead of Samantha Salas in 5th and Cristina Amaya in 6th. Lambert was 6th last year.

New to the top 10 are Michelle Key and Sofia Rascon, who came in 7th and 8th, respectively, both career highs for them. Da'monique Davis rounds out the top 10 at #10.

But notably, Cheryl Gudinas finished 9th this season, up from 11th last season, and it's her 21st top 10 finish on the women's pro tour, which is far more than any other woman. Jackie Paraiso is 2nd with 16 top ten finishes and Rajsich is 3rd with 15.

Four new players in the next 10, as Alexandra Herrera is 12th, Jessica Parrilla 14th, Kim Thomas 18th, and Lucia Gonzalez 20th.

Those four players replaced Aubrey Kirch, who was 7th last season, Sharon Jackson (16th), Jennifer Saunders (17th), and Hailey Miller (18th).

LPRT Rankings - May 25, 2015
2014-15 SEASON ENDING RANKINGS

Rank - Name - Country - Points

1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 2689.00
2 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 1980.00
3 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1565.48
4 Frédérique Lambert (Canada) 897.00
5 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 733.00

6 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 704.50
7 Michelle Key (USA) 549.97
8 Sofia Rascon (Mexico) 499.00
9 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 485.50
10 Da'monique Davis (USA) 481.75

11 Susana Acosta (Mexico) 453.50
12 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 430.00
13 Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) 346.50
14 Sheryl Lotts (USA) 345.54
15 Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) 295.44

16 Adrienne Haynes (USA) 257.25
17 Carla Muñoz (Chile) 250.50
18 Kim Thomas (USA) 236.54
19 Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) 212.50
20 Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico) 166.50

Follow the bouncing ball....