May Update 2016

“Paola Longoria wins LPRT pro stop in CA”

“Rocky Carson is crowned the National Champion”

“Wayne Antone makes the finals in the Men’s Open Doubles in OR”

“Jordan Cooperrider training hard for Jr. Nationals in MN”

“Mitchell Turner plays the Men’s Elite & Open Division’s in Spokane, WA”

“THE WILL TO WINS MEANS NOTHING WITHOUT THE WILL TO PREPARE” by Unknown

 

Paola Longoria wins in Stockton, CA.

Paola Longoria wins in Stockton, CA

My “Adult Championship Racquetball Teamled by Paola Longoria and Rocky Carson, won big this month.

Paola Longoria the No. 1 ranked player in the world, did what she has done all season on the LPRT, she captured her tenth Professional Singles title this season in Stockton, CA, May 13-15 beating Rhonda Rajsich in the finals in a 5 game thriller.

On the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), she has not lost a match in more than a year and holds 70 career professional titles.

Rocky Carson played Jose Diaz in the finals of the National

Rocky Carson 2016 National Champion.

Rocky Carson 2016 National Champion.

Championships in Denver, CO May 25-29 with a National title on the line. Rocky had a grueling match with Chris Crowther in the semi’s winning a tie-breaker 11-7 to advance to play Jose who beat Jake Breckenbeck in two in the other semi’s finals match.

The event served as the final stage for the selection of the U.S. National Team that will represent the United States at the World Championships in Colombia in July. In the final in Denver, Rocky prevailed over Jose in the HEAD Penn final to earn a spot on his 19th U.S. National Team.

The win capped a successful indoor season for Rocky where he won three tournaments on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) and finished as a runner- up at the National Doubles Championships. He finished the season as the No. 2 ranked player on the IRT, making it a solid decade of year-end finishes inside the Top 5.
 

My “Junior Championship Racquetball Teamalso started out strong and solid in their adult tournaments.

 

Wayne_Fran_HeadBag_Pic Wayne Antone made his first appearance at the Tournament of Champions in Portland, May 13-15, as he was nursing a wrist injury he sustained in January. Wayne qualified into the main draw of the IRT pros and played Charlie Pratt, one of the top 10 professionals, in the 1st round. Wayne lost the match 3-1 in games, but had a convincing win in one of the games of the match. Wayne also teamed up with a partner to play Men’s Open Doubles and reached the finals and lost to Charlie and his partner in a tie-breaker.

This should help get Wayne ready for the Junior National Championships in Minneapolis, MN in June.

 

IMG_4364Jordan Cooperrider, continues to dominate regular Florida tournaments and is branching out to the LPRT stops with the help of the Reaching Your Dream Foundation and private donations to get the experience she needs.

This should help get Jordan ready for the Junior National Championships in Minneapolis, MN in June.

 

 

Mitchell Turner played in the Men’s Elite and Open division’s at the Spokane, WA tournament. gaining lots of experience playing in the adult divisions at the age of 16. Mitchell beat some very experienced and higher level adult players and made it to the semi-finals of Elite…a great accomplishment.

 

 

 

*Jordan, Wayne and Mitchell are ramping up their training and tournament participation in States, Regionals, IRT and LPRT events in preparation for the Junior National Championships in June.

Next up for Paola and Rocky are the World Championships in Cali, Columbia, where they represent their countries.

**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. 

 

My “Championship Racquetball Students” who faired well at the National Singles Championship – CONGRATULATIONS to you all as well:

Mike Orr – Men’s 30+ 1st Pl, Men’s Open 2nd Pl, Men’s 24+ 2nd Pl, Men’s 35+ 2nd Pl
(Lessons/Coaching)                                                  

Keith Sapp – Men’s Elite 25/35 2nd Pl
(Lessons-Seattle, WA)                                              

Jon Rafkind – Men’s 30+ A 2nd Pl
(2015 San Francisco, CA Camp/Lessons)          

Paul Jubles – Men’s Hero’s Division 1st Pl
(Lessons-Seattle, WA)                                               

John Wison – Men’s 40+ C 2nd Pl
(Lessons locally )                                                       

Linda Tyler – Women’s Open 1st Pl
(TX Camps 2014)                                                        

Heather Hojat – Women’s A 1st Pl, Women’s AE 30+ 3rd Pl
(2014 Seattle, WA Camp/Lessons)                        

 

Mike_Orr_Fran Paul_Fran_Pic FullSizeRender LT_Family_Pic

Enjoy your journey to your “championship game,” like my “championship team.”

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