“Paola Longoria wins LPRT Pro Stop in NJ… and wins the Pan American Championships in MX”
“Rocky Carson wins the IRT Pro Stop in OH”
“Wayne Antone nursing a wrist injury”
“Jordan Cooperrider wins the HS National Championships & Receives Honors in FL”
“Mitchell Turner plays the Men’s Elite & Open Division’s at WA State Championships”
IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL!
My “Adult Championship Racquetball Team” led by Paola Longoria and Rocky Carson, won big this month.
Paola Longoria makes it back to back wins….in the LPRT Warren, NJ pro stop and in the Pan American Championships GOLD for MEXICO.
Paola Longoria the No. 1 ranked player in the world, did what she has done all season on the LPRT, she captured her eighth Professional Singles title this season in Warren, NJ, March 6-8. Paola also won the Professional Doubles title — her seventh LPRT doubles win of the season. I coached her court-side that weekend and what an amazing performance Paola put on for the fans.
On the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), she has not lost a match in more than a year and holds 68 career professional titles.
Besides playing the LPRT Pro Tour Paola qualified for the Mexican National Team in February and represented her country at the Pan American Championships held in San Luis Potosi, MX, her hometown, March 18-25th. The ‘Racquetball Princess’, won more gold jewels by capturing both the Women’s Singles and Women’s Doubles Divisions at the international event.
The win in the singles division was Longoria’s seventh Pan American Championship of her career. The doubles title made it four Pan American Championship golds for the Mexican native.
Overall in international competitions, Paola has now won 30 Gold Medals among singles, doubles and team play. At the age of 28, Paola has shown no signs of slowing down.
Rocky Carson played in both IRT Pro Stops in IL and OH, but lost in the
Rocky Carson bounces back and wins OHIO.
first round in IL (first time in over 10 years), but bounced back strong 2 weeks later and won the event in Dayton, OH.
The win in Dayton, OH pairs with Rocky’s other victory on tour this season which happened last November in Davidson, MI.
At the tournament in Dayton, Rocky came out victorious in a Championship Final that went the full five games. The close 11-9 win in the tie-breaking game gave Rocky his 23rd career tournament victory on the IRT, putting him into the sixth spot on the all-time wins list.
Jordan Cooperrider is the HS National Champion and also won the Female Jr Athlete of the year.
My “Junior Championship Racquetball Team” also started out strong and solid in their adult tournaments.
Wayne Antone is unfortunately nursing a wrist injury and is planning on being ready for the Junior National Championships in Minneapolis, MN in June.
Jordan Cooperrider, just added another line to her growing list of racquetball accomplishments. Jordan swept through the top Girl’s Singles division at the 2016 USA Racquetball High School Championships in dominating fashion and was crowned the High School National Champion. The junior at Palm Harbor University High School outside of Tampa, Florida earned a one-year appointment to the U.S. Junior National Team as a result of her victory.
Jordan is the reigning 16 & Under Girl’s Doubles National Champion and finished as a runner up in the 16 & Under Girl’s Singles division at last year’s Junior Olympics. At the age of 14, Jordan became the youngest adult skill level State Champion in Florida. At the junior level, she first won a Regional Championship at the age of five. Jordan holds nine U.S. National Junior Championships and two World Junior Championships.
At the Florida State Championships, 2 weeks after the High School Nationals, Jordan continued her winning streak and won the Women’s Open Singles division, as well as she was named Female Junior Player of the Year.
Mitchell Turner played in the Men’s Elite and Open division’s at the
Mitchell Turner at WA State Championships after a tough Men’s Elite win.
Washington State Open Championships 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: Paola is going to San Antonio, TX and Rocky is heading to Sarasota, FL in April.
**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” faired well at the Washington State Singles Championship …CONGRATULATIONS to all of you as well:
My Championship students from WA State Singles 2016.
Tammarrian Rogers (Lessons/Coaching)-Women’s Open 2nd Pl
Lauren Sandri (2016 Seattle, WA Camp)-Women’s Elite 1st Pl & Women’s Open 3rd Pl
Jessica Chen (2016 Seattle, WA Camp)-Women’s A 1st Pl & Women’s Elite 2nd Pl
Karen Jaskolka (2016 Las Vegas, NC Camp)-Women’s A 2nd Place & Women’s Elite 3rd Pl
Tiffany McVeety (2016 Seattle, WA Camp)-Women’s C/D First Tournament EVER
Mitchell Turner (Jr. Championship Team)-Men’s Elite Semi-Finals
JP Vindiola (2014 Seattle, WA Camp/Lessons)-Men’s A & Men’s 35+ A
Ethan Janson (2015 Seattle, WA Camp/Lessons)-Men’s Elite & Men’s 35+ Quarter-Finals
Tracy Robinson (Lessons/League)-Men’s Elite
John Medunic (2016 Las Vegas, NC Camp)-Men’s 45 B 3rd Pl
Jack Kulju-Boy’s 18 & U 1st Pl
Enjoy your journey to your “championship game,” like my “championship team.”
