January 2012…A Running Start

Here we are in January 2012 and my “Championship Team” has had a great start. The first weekend in Janaury 5-8, Rocky Carson, Paola Longoria and Taylor Knoth all made it into the finals in the Coast-to-Coast California Open IRT/WPRO Pro Stop in Canoga Park, CA.

Rocky Carson…IRT Pro Finals took 2nd place.   Rocky beat Taylor in the 16′s, Shane in the quarter’s, Ben in the semi’s, but lost to Kane in the finals in a close 4 game match 7-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-8. Rocky had his chances in games 3 and 4, but couldn’t convert. All I know is the gap is getting smaller.

Paola Longoria…WPRO Pro Finals took 1st place.   Paola beat Adrienne in the semi’s and Rhonda in the finals in 3 straight games. Paola has beaten Rhonda in every tournament she’s played in this season and continues to hold the #1 WPRO ranking.

Taylor Knoth…IRT Qualifier  earned a spot in the Main Draw to play Rocky. This has been great for Taylor as he has played Kane, Rocky, Ben, Jose and Andy already in his short professional career giving him the experience he needs to one day be on top by beating these players. He also played in the Men’s Open Division and won by beating Jose Diaz another up and coming junior superstar.

The second weekend in January 12-15, Rocky Carson, won the Salon Cactus NYC Pro Am in Long Island, NY after beating Andy in the quarters in 4 games and Chris in the semi’s in a grueling 5 set match. Rocky beat Kane in the finals after Kane had to forfeit due to a back injury in the first game with Rocky having a 6-2 lead.

What’s coming up in February and March?
Rocky Carson…Salt Lake City, UT; National Double Championships in Tempe, AZ (partner none other than Ben Croft) and San Diego, CA

Paola Longoria…Local events in Mexico; photo shoots and Denver, CO

Taylor Knoth…San Diego, CA and National Intercollegiate Championships in Tempe, AZ

Sharon Jackson…Cinncinati, OH; National Double Championships in Tempe, AZ and National Intercollegiate Championships in Tempe, AZ

My ‘Championship Team:’ Rocky Carson, Paola Longoria, and Taylor Knoth, all continued playing well coming out of the crazy  month of October with 2 major championships – the US Open Racquetball Championships (US Open) and the 2011 Pan American Championships (Pan Am Games).

Rocky came in strong to the Seattle Pro/Am Racquetball Championships IRT Tier 1 event held in Seattle, WA, November 3-6, after mentally regrouping from the Pan Am Games. Visualization did him good as he did not drop a game on the way to the finals beating Chris Crowthers 3-0 in the quarter-finals (sweet revenge after losing to him in Davison, MI the week before) and Ben Croft, 3-0, in the semi-finals. Rocky served well, moved fluidly and was cool, calm, and collected as he aggressively marched through the draw; when Rocky came up against Kane Waselenchuk he lost 3-0, but not without a fight, losing a close 2nd game with the score of 12-10.

The IRT players played to a packed crowd all weekend long. The tournament, presented by my partner George Brewer and myself broke all records in Washington State for the largest event ever with 182 players. The energy, enthusiasm, and the show put on by the pros was phenomenal. We raised over $4,200.00 for our local charity of choice – The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Everyone had a great time and all the players received a souvenir pint-sized glass with the tournament logo which was autographed by the top eight pro players.  The buzz is still ringing ALL OVER the Northwest Region. We had players competing from WA, OR, CA, UT, CO, and AZ.

Paola regained her #1 WPRO Professional ranking at the Puget Sound WPRO Tier 1 tournament held in Olympia, WA, November 18-20 by beating Rhonda Rajsich in the finals, 4 games to 1. In all the Tier 1 events this season and in the Pan Am Games, Paola has met Rhonda in the finals and has won which has moved her up to the #1 professional ranked player in the world. She took back the 2011 US Open Championship Title from Rhonda who had won it the last 2 years in 2009 & 2010. She beat Rhonda convincingly with her aggressive style of play.

Paola took home 3 Gold Medals at the 2011 Pan Am Games, 1 Gold-Individual Singles, 1 Gold-Individual Doubles and 1 Gold-Team Competition. She was the talk of the Pan Am Games  because in November 2010 she won the award for Woman Athlete of the Year for all of Mexico, one of the highest honors an athlete could receive. The cameras and media were focused on her as they expected her to bring home GOLD for their country…and she delivered BIG time!

HOT OFF THE PRESS! Paola just won the Christmas Classic WPRO Tier 1 event held in VA, December 9-11, in a 5 game thriller against Rhonda Rajsich. She came from behind to win in 5 games after being down 2 games-to-zero. I was texted by someone telling me-”Paola is losing 0-2 in games.” I IMMEDIATELY texted her to call me and she did. Thank goodness she did; we talked the rest of the match during her time-outs and inbetween games. Paola’s mindset was negative as she said to me, “I am playing the worst match of my life.” The first thing I told her was to change the way she was thinking…get rid of the negative and think positive and to dig deep and play smarter and harder. I asked her to think of all the times she beat Rhonda and this was no different-taking it one point at a time. Whatever I said worked. She won the next 3 games, thus winning the match…a well deserved victory!

Taylor, at the ripe age of 20, qualified into the main draw of the pros at the 2011 US Open. He beat Juan Herrera, #14 in the world, in the round of 32′s to advance to the round of 16′s where he lost to Andy Hawthorne, ranked #4 in the world. Taylor played in the Open Division and made it to the finals after winning 2 tie-breakers in the quarter-final and semi-final matches. Taylor was a double winner at the Seattle Pro/Am IRT Tier 1 event in both the Men’s Singles and Doubles Divisions and took home a big pay day.

Guadalajara, MX October 17-25, 2011

5 Medals for my Championship Team…4 Gold Medals, 1 Silver Medal and 1 HAPPY Coach

The ten day event is finally over and my students walked away from the Pan Am Games with 5 medals between them:

Paola Longoria took home 3 Gold Medals….1 Gold Individual Singles and 1 Gold Individual Doubles Competition and 1 Gold Team Competition.

Rocky Carson took home 1 Gold and 1 Silver Medal… 1 Gold Individual Singles and 1 Silver Team Competition

Paola was the talk of the games as in November 2010 she won the Woman Athlete of the Year Award for all of Mexico, one of the highest honors an athlete could receive. The cameras and media were focused on her as they expected her to bring home the GOLD for their country….and she delivered big time. The pressure was incredible for both her and I, but through it all Paola beat Rhonda Rajsich 3X in the same event even coming back from being down 8-9 in one of the tie-breakers to win 11-9…a sweet victory in the Singles Individual Competition. As a matter of fact all the games with Rhonda went a tie-breaker so both these women gave the crowd their monies worth. The sellout crowds all week long were chanting, clapping, screaming and cheering for their hometown favorite.

Rocky had to beat 2 Mexicans on the way to the Gold…hometown favorites Alvaro and Gilberto. You couldn’t even hear yourself think as the crowds went crazy for their Mexican heroes, but staying mentally tough Rocky was able to ward off both in 2 games straight to win the Gold in the Individual Singles Competition. In the Team Competition Rocky started off and led the way against Mexican Gilberto and won giving the USA Team a 1-0 lead, but unfortunately Chris lost to Alvaro in the 2nd singles match and Chris and Shane lost to Alvaro and Javier in an exciting tie-breaker in the doubles match to a standing room only crowd. As a result Rocky, Chris, Shane and Alex captured the Silver in the Team Competition, still a wonderful accomplishment.

For me the Pan Am games was a once in a lifetime experience, especially being in Paola’s home country of Mexico. Sitting courtside and coaching her knowing Vic, the Dr., Magaly, the Sports Psychologist, Silvia, from the Mexican Government, and Paola’s family and boyfriend were all there to support her made my job easier. After each match she and sometimes I were whisked away for interviews, pictures and autographs. This is truly the way racquetball athletes should be treated all the time.

Watching both Paola and Rocky play over the course of the 10 days and seeing how all their hard work physically, mentally and emotionally paid off made me VERY PROUD of them. Knowing I have been a part of their growth and development as players is all a coach could ask for and dream about.

Thanks Paola and Rocky for a GREAT week and memories to last forever.

On Saturday, October 22nd both my players will be playing for a Gold Medal:

• Paola Longoria is in 2 finals for both Women’s Singles and Doubles representing Mexico.
• Rocky Carson is in the Men’s Singles finals representing USA.

Being here in Mexico with them and watching them handle the pressure and raising their level of play is something I wouldn’t have missed for the world.
They are playing to sell out crowds. The energy, the cheering, the chanting, the clapping and doing the wave is incredible. This is how tournaments should be in the states.

Hopefully I will have good news for you after their matches.

Gracias and Adios

I just returned from the 15th Annual US Open Racquetball Championships held in Minneapolis, MN and I am proud to say  my “Championship Team” lead by Paola Longoria, Rocky Carson and Taylor Knoth tore up the field as they ALL made it into the finals of their respective divisions….thusly the “Trifector”. Along with them ten of my amateur students walked away with a medal around their necks…not too bad of a week’s work.

Rocky Carson made it to the finals without dropping a game and came out strong in the finals against Kane Waselenchuk beating him the first game.Rocky’s new “aggressive style of play” has served him well and our working together is paying off. Even though he lost to Kane in the finals he pushed Kane to 4 games and put Kane on the defense more often creating more mistakes…something no one has been able to do. Watch out Rocky is on a mission.

He is now in Guadalajara, MX for the Pan American Games representing USA.

Paola took back the 2011 US Open Championship Title from Rhonda Rajsich who won it the last 2 years in 2009 & 2010. Paola beat Rhonda convincingly with her aggressive style of play. Her trip to Seattle to train with me 3 weeks ago truly paid off as her serves and shots were deadly…consistent, accurate  and powerful.

She is now in Guadalajara, MX for the Pan American Games representing her home country Mexico.

Taylor Knoth at the ripe age of 20 he qualified into the main draw of the pros and beat Juan Herrera, #14 in the world, in the round of 32″s to advance to the round of 16′s where he lost to Andy Hawthorne, #4 in the world. Also, he played in the Open Division and made it to the finals  after winning 2 tie breakers in the quarter final and semi final matches. He even beat Alejandro Herrera, #15 in the world, in an 11-10 breaker before losing to Daniel Del La Rosa, #16 in the world, in the finals. Taylor is on his way and is moving up steadily. Our work over the last 8 years is really showing because he is so fundamentally in every aspect of the game. Once he graduates college he will be able to devote full time to racquetball. Even with Taylor going to school full time and carrying 18 credits he is ranked #24 in the world.

My Amateur Championship Team …I am so PROUD of these people who have worked hard on their games after taking our camps or private lessons/coaching with me:

Sharon Jackson:  US Open Pros round of 16, Open Division 3rd Place, Mixed Open Doubles 4th Place
Laurie Welsh:   Women’s  B  3rd Place
Page Kern:  Women’s 45+ A  2nd Place
Kelly Kirk:  Women’s 50+ Open  2nd Place
William Craig:  Men’s 19+ D 4th Place
Quentin Mieure: Men’s 25+ A  1st Place
Ben Howell III:   Men’s 45+ C  1st Place
Quade Howell:  Men’s 24- C  3rd Place (ONLY 12 years old)
George Brewer: Men’s 55+ A  3rd Place
Lamar Hughes:  Men’s 55+ C  2nd Place

Rocky Carson wins the Outdoor National Championships in Huntington Beach, CA making it 8 in a row, after taking off 3 weeks from a grueling 2010/2011 professional indoor season where he was in 10 out of 12 finals. After winning the Outdoor Nationals his training regiment was like no other as he was not only getting ready for the pro season, but also he will be representing the USA at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, MX in mid-October.

Paola Longoria wins the Mexican National Championships in singles and doubles and earned a spot on the Mexican National Team and she will be representing her country at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, MX in mid-October.  After winning the National Championships Paola received one of the greatest honors anyone could ever receive…she was selected to light the Pan American Torch to start the torch traveling throughout Mexico before ending up in Guadalajara for the Pan American Games.

Taylor Knoth finishes #22 on the IRT ranking his first year playing part-time on the professional tour while going to school. He was also invited by the Korean Government, all expenses paid,  along with Jose Rojas to play in a Korean Tournament…an opportunity of a lifetime.

My Junior Championship Team shined at the Jr. National Championships in Portland, OR earning a spot on the Jr. National Racquetball Team to represent the USA at the Jr. World Championships in the Dominican Republic…I am so PROUD of them:

Rocky had an amazing season finishing as the #2 IRT Professional Player for the 2010/2011 season and winning one of the IRT Grand Slams and made 9 finals of Tier 1 events. Not only did he make it to 9 finals, but he pushed the IRT #1 Pro Player, Kane Waselenchuk, to 2 tie breakers before losing 10-12 in the 5th and also took Kane to 4 games in the Coast-to-Coast Canoga Park, CA, event.

Rocky is now looking forward to some time off to rest his body and mind before getting ready to defend his title at the Outdoor National Championships in Huntington Beach, CA, in early July.

As Rocky reflects back over the season he realizes that hard work in all areas of the “Racquetball Sports Triangle” Conditioning/Nutrition; Mental Toughness; and Racquetball Skills, Techniques and Tactics paid off with BIG dividends. We are both excited to see where his continued dedication and commitment over the summer will take him in the 2011/2012 season.

You can watch all of Rocky’s matches in the archives of IRT Network at www.IRTNetwork.com.

CONGRATULATIONS to Rocky for making the U.S. Team as one of the top 2 singles player and the top doubles team player. Rocky will represent the U.S. at the Pan Am Championships in Guadalajara, MX in late October 2011.

WPRO Pro National Champion.. CONGRATULATIONS Paola you deserve it!

Paola finishes the season winning the last event of the season on May 13-15 – the WPRO Pro Nationals, a Grand Slam held in New Orleans, LA, against a fierce competitor, Rhonda Rajsich. This was a sweet victory for Paola as she lost to Rhonda in Stockton, CA, just 2 weeks prior in a very close 11-13 tie breaker. It was great to be there in New Orleans coaching Paola
to a 3-0 final.

There is no question in both our minds that her visit to Seattle for training the week before the event was an integral part of her playing so well. We worked out hard with my personal trainer, Austin Treloar for 3 days and spent 5 grueling days on the court working on very specific areas of her game. Unfortunately Paola will not have much rest as she has to continue
training for the Mexican National Championships in June. The top 2 women and top 2 men who make the team qualify to represent her country in the Pan American Championships at the end of October in Guadalajara, MX.

CONGRATULATIONS to Paola for winning some of THE MOST PRESTIGOUS awards:

Taylor Knoth the Jr. World and National Champion 2010, National Intercollegiate Champion 2011 and made it to the quarter finals of the IRT Pro National Championships – a dream came true!

Beyond his wildest imagination, Taylor never expected to make it to the quarter finals of the IRT Pro National Championships; he knocked off the #9 and #10 seeds along the way before playing the #1 pro player in the world, Kane Waselenchuk. What an honor, privilege and experience that was for Taylor who just turned 20 yrs. old and finished the season ranked #23-his highest ranking ever! Besides all this, Taylor had a fabulous season as he won the Jr. World and National Championships 2010, National Intercollegiate Championships 2011 (earning a spot on the U.S. Team), USAR Regional Championships 2011, several IRT Satellite Events and even had a victory over the #15 IRT Pro Player-Charlie Pratt. To top it all off Taylor was selected to be featured in the Sports Illustrated section “Faces in the Crowd” in the April 2011 issue.

What a year Taylor has had and I am so PROUD of him and all the hard work he has done over the last 8 years. Taylor started working hard at age 12 and it has made him into a fundamentally sound player and it’s paying off with big dividends.
With an ‘all expenses paid trip’ coming up at the end of June, Taylor and Jose Rojas were invited to play in a tournament in Japan. The Jr. National Championships will be the same weekend and Taylor was torn trying to decide whether to go to Japan or stay home and coach some kids from his local club who would be playing in the tournament. We encouraged Taylor to go to Japan and not pass up an opportunity of a lifetime. Taylor has worked hard and deserves this trip!

You can watch Taylor’s match against Kane in the archives of IRT Network at www.IRTNetwork.com

Sharon Jackson, the 2009 Junior National Champion and the 2010 National
Intercollegiate Champion qualifies at the WPRO 2011 Pro National
Championships in New Orleans and takes home Gold and a Silver Medal at the
2011 National Intercollegiate Championships in Tempe, AZ.

There is no question that Sharon’s game is taking shape as she qualified
again at the WPRO Pro National Championships in New Orleans, LA before
losing to Samantha Salas, #3 WPRO Pro Player in the world. She finished this
year ranked # 25 on the WPRO rankings.

As a full time student at Alabama State University she cannot attend all the
WPRO events so Sharon plays in as many events that her school schedule
permits.