November Update 2014

“Rocky wins 3 Pro Stops in a Row”
“Paola wins 3 Gold Medals at the Central American Games”
“Connor, Wayne and Jordan took home some medals from the Jr. World Championships”

My “Adult Championship Racquetball Team” led by Rocky Carson and Paola Longoria, BOTH the #2 IRT and the #1 LPRT Pro Players in the World, had some

incredible tournaments in November.

Rocky Carson had tremendous showings at the last 3 of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) pro stops In St. Louis, MO, in Davison, MI and this past weekend in

Garden City, KS.

In St. Louis, MO, at the 1st pro stop after the US Open Rocky won his 19th professional tournament career victory. This event was Rocky’s 198th appearance on the

IRT, moving him into third all-time. His overall match winning percentage on tour is more than 70 percent.
Rocky beat Ben Croft in the quarterfinals in 4 games, and then went onto face Jose Rojas in the semifinals and beat him in 3 games. In the finals Rocky and Alvaro Beltran faced off again, but this time Rocky came out on top beating Alvaro in 4 games. It was a sweet victory after losing to Alvaro at the US Open just a week prior.

In Davison, MI at the 2nd pro stop after the US Open Rocky won his 20th professional tournament career victory placing him 7th overall. The tournament was Rocky’s 199th appearance on the men’s professional tour.
Rocky beat a tough Markie Rojas in a 5 game battle in the quarterfinals and then went onto defeat Daniel De La Rosa in 4 games in the semifinals. The finals match was Rocky and Alvaro Beltran for the 2nd straight final in a row and it was the same result, Rocky won in 4 games.

In Garden City, KS Rocky made it 3 victories in a row and went on to win this event. In the quarterfinals Rocky found he was playing a red-hot Jose Diaz, but beat him in 3 games. In the semifinals Rocky went up against Jansen Allen and beat him in 4 games. In the finals Rocky played Ben Croft and beat him in a close 4 game match. By winning the Turkey Shootout this was Rocky’s 200th appearance on the men’s professional circuit and the win was his 21st of his career. The finals appearance in Kansas was Rocky’s fifth in six events this year on the IRT.

Paola Longoria brought home 3 out of 3 Gold Medals at the Central American Games in Veracruz, MX November 15-24, in Women’s Singles (Beat Samantha in 2), Women’s Doubles (Beat the Guatemala Team in 2) and Team (was a blowout and won in 2.). The Central American Games are held every 4 years and had 5,707 athletes, 36 sports and 31 countries participating…and racquetball was one of them. It was wonderful to be there coaching her courtside. Paola won the Central American Games in 2006 & 2010 in both Women’s Singles and Team, but never before in Women’s Doubles. She teamed up with Samantha Solis as they won the Pan American Games in 2011 and the World Championships this year, in June 2014.
These 3 Gold Medals will now be added on to her already impressive 16 International Gold Medals from the World Championships, Pan American Games, World Games and Pan American Championships.

Rocky Carson and Paola Longoria both have events coming up in December before going home to enjoy the holidays with their families…Rocky heading to Washington State and then New Jersey and Paola defending her Virginia title and hopes to capture the title of her own event scheduled for Monterey, MX.

***All IRT Tier 1 and Grand Slam events are streamed live on the IRT Network.
****All LPRT Tier 1 and Grand Slam events are streamed live on Livestream.

My “Junior Championship Racquetball Team” came home with medals from Jr. World Championships in Columbia in October 20-26, 2014:
Connor Laffey and Wayne Atone took home 2 Bronze medals for the overall Team 3rd place.
Jordan Cooperrider took home 3 Bronze medals for Girl’s 16 & U Singles/Doubles and for overall Team 3rd place.

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