November Update 2015

“Rocky Carson WINS in MI & makes the finals in KS & MO”

“Paola Longoria WINS in Monterrey, MX…her hometown”

 “Jordan Cooperrider WINS a Gold, Silver & Bronze at Jr. World’s in DR”

“Wayne Antone WINS a Silver & Bronze at Jr. World’s in DR”

“Mitchell Turner WINS 2 Bronze’s at Jr. World’s in DR”

 

MOTTO for MY CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM:

“Never give up on something you can’t live without,”

by the_tennislife website

 

 

My “Adult Championship Racquetball Team” led by Rocky Carson and Paola Longoria, both played tournaments in November on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) & the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT).

 

Rocky Carson came back to win in Davison, MI, November 6-8, after losing in the finals to Alvaro Beltran the weekend before in Atlanta, GA. He beat Markie Rojas in the quarterfinals in 5 games, legend Cliff Swain in the semifinals in 3 games and Jose Rojas in the finals in 3 games.  The tournament victory was Rocky’s first of the 2015-2016 season. It was Rocky’s 22^nd professional title of his career…tying him for the sixth all time. This tournament was Rocky’s 213^th appearance on the IRT placing him third all time. 

On the road again the following weekend in Garden City, KS, November 13-15. Rocky makes the finals again, but falls short to Kane Waselenchuk in 3 games. Rocky beat Charlie Pratt in the quarterfinals in 3 games and Alvaro Beltran in the semifinals in 3 games. It was a sweet victory as Rocky lost to Alvaro in the finals in Atlanta, GA the last weekend of October. 

This was the 3^rd tournament in a row for Rocky heading to St. Louis, MO, November 20-22. The tournament had a different twist as it was played in front of 300+ high school racquetball players as St. Louis has the largest high school racquetball program in the country, run by Dan Whitley. Rocky again had a great tournament and made it to the finals after escaping a narrow loss to Jose Rojas who went up 2-0 games against Rocky. Rocky came back in game 3 against Jose after being down 4-8….a BIG mental win to push it to game 4 and 5, eventually winning in 5 games. The semifinals were anti-climactic as he beat Mercado in 3 games. In the finals Rocky lost to Kane who has been untouchable this season.

 

Paola Longoria returned to Mexico in great form for her own tournament in Monterrey, “The Paola

Longoria Invitational,” the weekend of November 12-15. It was played on the portable court in downtown Monterrey at the Tennis Center. This was the 3^rd year it was held and once again Paola won the event by beating Rhonda Rajsich in 4 games. Rhonda came out playing extremely well and took the 1^st game, but we made a few adjustments as I was courtside the entire event and Paola took the next 3 games and the match. This tournament was Paola’s 5^th win of the 2015-2016 season, winning EVERY event she entered, an incredible feat.

 

*Rocky is finally on a Holiday break back in California enjoying time with his family and resting his body and mind from a tough first half of the 2015-2016 season.

*Paola has one more event left in December 2015 in Arlington, VA and will then have a much-needed break. 

 

My “Junior Championship Racquetball Team” led by Jordan Cooperrider, Wayne Antone and Mitchell Turner had a great showing at the Junior World Championships in the Dominican Republic November 8-14. All of them brought home some hardware.

 

Jordan Cooperrider took 1^st in the Girl’s 16 Doubles earning a Gold Medal and made it to finals of the Girl’s 16 Singles after beating Montserrat from Mexico, who made it to the US Open Women’s Pro Doubles finals. Jordan fell a little short to Gabby from Guatemala, but earned a Silver Medal.

Wayne Antone took 2^nd in the Boy’s 16 Doubles earning a Silver Medal after beating the Costa Rican team in the semifinals in a tiebreaker. Wayne and his partner, Kevin, put up a tough fight in the finals against the undefeated Mexican team.

Mitchell Turner took 3rd in the Boy’s 14 Doubles earning a Bronze Medal after beating the Costa Rican team in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals. This was Mitchell’s first time on the USA Team, therefore his first time in international competition. What a great showing.

 

*The USA Team finished 3^rd at the Junior World Championships capturing a Bronze Medal, which means each of my kids won and earned another Bronze Medal to go around their necks.

 

Wayne Antone-2015 Junior World Championships – Boys 16 Doubles Silver Medalist w partner Kevin.

Mitchell Turner-2015 Junior World Championships – Boys 14 Doubles Bronze Medalist w partner Julian.

 

**I am totally PROUD of Jordan, Wayne and Mitchell as all their hard work paid off as they all medaled at the 2015 Junior World Championships, November 8-14…. pretty impressive. They are taking a much-needed break and will resume when we have our junior training camp in OR between Christmas and New Years….with a little skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing as well. 

 

**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.

****All IRF International Events are streamed on Livestream.com…the USAR Channel.

 

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