THE PERFECT EQUATION:
 
Racquetball
+ Spirit
+ Competition
+ Friendships
= World Senior Racquetball 
Championships [WSRC]

by Joanne Pomodoro

First of all, kudos to organizers Gary Mazaroff (shown below left), Paula Sperling, Damian Jelso and the entire New Mexico Racquetball Association for hosting the 2000 World Senior Championships! In its twelfth year, this tournament was again filled with fun, excitement, great competition and good friends. 

For those who are not familiar with the WSRC, let me just say that this is the premier tournament for senior athletes. The reasons are simple; you are treated with the utmost respect and the very best senior athletes attend this tournament. 

From the moment you arrive you are given the red-carpet treatment. Need a ride from the airport? No problem! Jenny Mazaroff, Gary’s lovely wife (shown right), is on her way to pick you up in her own wheels – complete with authentic southwest, cowhide seat-covers. She graciously makes umpteen trips to and from the airport, each time greeting her passengers with a smile and a welcome gift. 

Once you’re delivered to the host hotel, get settled and head down to the registration area, everyone is greeted with a warm smile and a heartfelt welcome. This is the way it is at “Seniors,” regardless of whether you are a first-timer or a long-timer. A semi-circle of tables is filled with information, gifts and tokens of the tournament and the great state of New Mexico. Arms filled, you attempt to balance your wares. As you juggle, you recognize voices calling your name and then spot all the familiar faces as you make your way through the sea of hugs. The greetings are filled with care and everyone strives to catch up on the stories of friends, family, work, trials and survivals.

All in attendance share a common theme, that of resilience, triumph and success. Anyone over 35 years of age is eligible, and each player has come to know the meaning of the adage “youth is wasted on the young.” This tournament is defined by the unique journey through life most of its players have traveled. For many there are the usual ups and downs. For others there is the recovery from injury or chronic illness. Some have survived cancer, some are living through it. Some are as healthy as an ox, and others have experienced the types of trials and tribulations that we only see on the news. There are special moments, celebrations and momentous occasions, along with the joy of lives beginning and the sorrow as a life ends. Through it all we have learned to balance sadness and happiness – and this tournament is about the here and now, the present, and how we choose to live. We arrive to play racquetball, and come away with new lessons in the value of sport and competition; in giving respect and treasuring family and friends. 

In terms of skill, one is truly tested and endurance levels pushed to the max. You find out what you’re made of, how deep your competitive juices flow and what matters most. You may be the top seed, but you still have to make your way through the entire round robin format. There are no bye’s here, everyone wants to win a World title, and — in this format — everyone has the opportunity to do so. 

The New Mexico air is thin and takes a toll on some of the players. But as the week goes on and you have played at some of the nicest clubs, surrounded by the beautiful mountains of New Mexico, to the surprise of most, the aches and pains are few and far between. 

Each day the players are up bright and early checking out the standings to see where they’re positioned in their flight. The shuttle arrives to take warriors to their field of play, while other players roam around looking for coffee chats to get the scoop on the day’s match-ups. The beauty of the weather allows some to sun and swim for a few hours while others visit Santa Fe or Old Town. First-timers must seek out those special souvenirs to take home. The veterans keep an eye on the rookies and volunteer their advice on the best places to visit and hot spots to eat. 

As the tournament progresses, most players will have made at least 10-20 new friends and caught up with 50-60 old friends, all while keeping an eye on the flight updates to find out where you stand in the draw. It’s a challenge to all regardless of whether you’re in a single round robin or a qualifier into a single-elimination championship round. After everyone has played, on average, 10 matches (30 games!) just to get to Saturday – players are then all set to do one of two things. They can either watch/root/cheer or compete in yet another three to four matches, this time for the title. It made me proud to see the players put everything into their matches. To those who played well all week, there is only one priority that remains, to win a World title. 

The matches run until all the titles have been claimed on the court, leaving only the evening awards banquet featuring this year’s special Mistress of Ceremonies. 

Yes, brought back by popular demand, in from Boston, Massachusetts is Joanne T. Pomodoro, your humble author (left). The committee certainly knew what they were doing when they asked me to entertain … and entertain is what I did. I had more fun, handing out the awards from the newest rookie player in the 35’s, to the seasoned veterans in the 80’s division. Winners all hustled up to claim their medals and get their photo taken with fellow semi-finalists, where the pride displayed in each and every smile will continue to fuel this sport for years to come. 

Players came to this tournament from as far as Ireland, Guam and Japan. Now if they can travel these thousands of miles, players from the United States owe it to themselves to attend the tournament next year. Rumor has it that these international players came just to watch me present the awards and hear my wonderful jokes! I know, humble and modest to a fault, I am. 

In closing I congratulate all the winners, say thank you to all the players, and send praise to the local Tournament Committee. We have a saying in New England “Good Friends Live Forever” and that certainly holds true for the World Seniors. Enjoy the moments you have with family and friends and remember that we are all ambassadors for this great sport of racquetball.