“Always have a Plan,” by Dadio
“Rocky Carson makes it to the Finals of the US Open”
“Paola Longoria wins #7 at the US Open and takes home the 1st ever Boston Open Title 2 weeks later”
“Wayne Antone makes the finals of the Men’s Open Doubles in Salem, OR”
“Jordan Cooperrider wins 3 medals at the US Open”
“Mitchell Turner wins 2 medals at the US Open and follows it up with winning the Men’s Elite in Salem, OR”
My “Adult Championship Racquetball Team” led by Rocky Carson and Paola Longoria were busy the month of October as it’s US Open month and lots going on.
Rocky Carson
“You have to hate to lose, more than you love to win,” by Unknown
Rocky came back this year to the US Open on a mission and he accomplished what he set out to accomplish…. Make it to Sunday. Last year he had a disappointing semi-final lose in a very close tie-breaker 10-12 against Daniel De LaRossa, but this year Rocky played strong throughout the event and beat Daniel in the semi-finals in the tie-breaker, 11-2, and advanced to the finals where he met up with Kane Waselenchek. Rocky lost to Kane in 3 games, but played well.
Paola Longoria
“Perfect practice makes perfect, practice does not make perfect,” by Unknown
Paola, the No. 1 female racquetball player on the planet, won her sixth consecutive and seventh overall United Healthcare US OPEN Racquetball Championships Professional Women’s Singles title October 5-9, in Minneapolis, MN
Paola dominated the draw by not losing a single game all week and surrendering just over an average of two points per game! The win is Longoria’s 74th tournament victory of her career on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT). Paola also won the Women’s Professional Doubles title at the US OPEN.
Two weeks later for the first time in the history of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), the world’s best female racquetball players competed in Boston, MA, October 28-30, 2016.
In a town with a rich history of its own, Paola added to it by continuing her historic racquetball run. Longoria’s win in the Women’s Professional Singles division at the Boston Open became the 75th of her professional career and 19th in a row dating back to March 2015. Paola also holds a previous winning streak on the LPRT for three and a half years, from May 2011 to October 2014.
In-between all her tournaments the Mexican government honored her with a trip to “La Plaza de Las Estrellas” in Mexico City, MX on October 18, to make an impression of her hands in the ground for all her successes as a female athlete. This is very similar to what we do in Hollywood, CA with placing the stars on the ground for the famous and most prestigious actors/actresses.
Incredible accomplishment!
My “Junior Championship Racquetball Team” are playing lots of Fall tournaments as well as the Junior World Championships in San Luis Potosi, MX, November 14-20.
Wayne Antone
“Sweat more in preparation, bleed less in the battle,” by Unknown
Wayne played the Salem, OR October 14-16, in Salem, OR and lost in the Men’s Open Doubles finals with John Lindsey against Jason Samora and his finals 11-9 tie-breaker.
This tournament was a tune-up for the Junior World Championships November 14-20.
Jordan Cooperrider
“In order to SUCCEED we MUST believe we CAN,” by Unknown
Jordan went to the US Open for the 2nd year. Jordan was in the LPRT pro main draw and did not have to qualify this year. Jordan showed why she deserved to be there when she knocked off the #11 seed, Adriana Riveros, in 4 games in the round of 32; in the round of 16 Jordan was up 1-0 in games against the #6 seed, Samantha Salas Solis, and put up an excellent fight pushing Samantha to 4 games before losing. Jordan is getting better and better with each passing tournament.
Jordan also played in the Women’s Open Division and played Lucia Gonzales, the #2 seed in the semi-finals, and lost a close battle in a tie-breaker 11-5 to win a Bronze Medal.
This tournament was a tune-up for the Junior World Championships November 14-20.
Mitchell Turner
“When I feel tired, I just think about how great I will feel, once I finally reach my goal,” Michael Phelps
Mitchell also came back to the US Open for the 2nd year. At the age of 16, he moved up from the Men’s B Division, from last year, to play in the Men’s A & Men’s 24 A Divisions. He played his heart out and took home a Bronze medal in the Men’s A and a Silver medal in the Men’s 24 A, losing a heart-breaker 11-10 tie-breaker.
Mitchell played the Salem, OR October 14-16, in Salem, OR and won the Men’s Elite division for the first time ever.
These tournaments were a tune-up for the Junior World Championships November 14-20.
Also, Mitchell and Wayne trained with me as well as Jason Mannino October 20-22 and we tweaked a few things and sharpened their games strategically and mentally. They are training harder then I have ever seen them and their hard work is PAYING OFF.
Wayne, Jordan and Mitchell are all ready to head to the Junior World Championships in San Luis Potosi, MX November 14-20. Watch them play as it will be streamed live at the http://www.internationalracquetball.com
My “Championship Racquetball Camp Series” held at the MAC, Portland, OR October 21-23 with me and Jason Mannino both conducting the camp as well as Wayne Antone, Mitchell Turner and Richelle Kulju were our assistant coaches.
It was a tremendous success with the help of Hank Marcus allowing us to bring our camp series to the MAC for the first time ever. There were 15 hungry and eager campers with 4 high school kids, 11 adults including 6 women. We covered everything from the physical, mental and strategic parts of the game with lots of lectures, critiquing, playing with Jason, Wayne and Mitchell and video analysis with me. The pictures below say it all.
Enjoy your journey to your “championship game,” like my “championship team.” Hope to see you at one of my “championship racquetball camp series” real soon or pick up the book or DVD in the meantime.
**All IRT Tier 1 and Grand Slam events are streamed live on the IRT Network.
***All LPRT Tier 1 and Grand Slams are streamed on Livestream.com.
