Mexico had been primed for this leap for quite some time -- after having placed second in nine out of the ten years that team records have been kept [since 1992].

The Orlando Fitness & Racquet Club hosted the Florida event in late December, where Mexico’s strongest squad to date was able to overcome 13 years of U.S. dominance at the annual championship. 

Going into the tournament the U.S. knew that the rest of the world was catching up with them on the court and this would be their toughest test to date. 

“The U.S. team should be pushed to their limit,” USRA Executive Director Jim Hiser commented before the tournament. IRF President Keith Calkins agreed with Hiser and added, “Although the U.S. Team has never lost the Junior World title, the parity that has developed throughout the world should result in a very close competition.”

Standing out for Mexico was Paola Longoria and Ruben Estrada, who each left Orlando with three gold medals in hand. They both won their respective 12- singles and 14- doubles, then teamed up to take the 12- mixed doubles title. Also shining for Mexico were Alejandro Cardona, Augustin Tristan, and David Ortega with two gold medals apiece. Ortega has yet to lose a world junior championship match.

However, it wasn’t just a few key players that helped Mexico to its first world title, but an aggressively-recruited, solid team of juniors from 6- all the way to 18-. Going into the final two days of competition, Mexico found itself in a favorable position by often having two, and sometimes three players, in the semifinals, making it nearly impossible for the U.S. to overcome an early point deficit ... [excerpt]

There is something about a great team that just draws you in; whether it’s pure talent, or a tight group that truly cares about one another. In the case of this year’s U.S. Junior Racquetball Team it was both.

I think one of the most important elements of a great team is the people that it is made up of, the players, the coaches and of course the parents. These people don’t have to be superstars, but they need to want to be. 

When I first started to see this team form in Chicago (at junior nationals) last year it was bittersweet. I saw some great matches and exceptional play by just about everyone. The problem is that I have worked with many of these kids either at Alabama’s “Rumble” or on past U.S. Junior Teams, and they can’t all be on the team. I knew once the semis had been played that we were really going to have something special this year, you could see it. With eleven new kids making the team, I wanted to make sure I met with all of the parents and team members before leaving Chicago. I wanted to let them know what we as coaches expected from them, and in turn wanted to know what the athletes expected of us. That set the groundwork for our U.S. Team camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado in August. 

Typically at training camp we divide our days by training physically on the courts, then at night we try, with the help of the captains, to build our “team.” I can honestly say that for the first time that I can remember this team never had to be “built.” Each evening we all got together to discuss the day’s events, go over our training and then talk about subjects that will remain sacred to only this team. There was lots of laughter and lots of tears. No fronts. No attitudes. Just sincerity. Respect for each other and the coaches. When these kids spoke of friends, parents, and people important to them, it came from the heart. Heart is what it takes to be a champion. 

Arriving at Worlds, we kept to the same schedule as training camp, and we had team meetings each night. Again, sincere and personal. We talked about what we were up against. 

Captains Jack Huzcek and Adrienne Fisher led great team meetings and inspired us all. I’ve since learned that we were not picked to win the Worlds, and I’m glad no one dared to mention that earlier. 

These kids went on to the court and brought everything they had. They played with integrity, desire and courage. Dan Sheppick, re-playing match point = integrity. Ben Croft, cramping so badly, up 7-2 in the tiebreaker = courage. Desire = everyone. As a coach I could not possibly ask for anything more from these athletes. It is an honor to be associated with this team and I am very proud of each and every one of them. We will bounce back, we already have. The e-mails we send almost daily are still flowing. The training schedules are being tweaked and we have made a new plan for next year. The other coaches, Cheryl Gudinas, Mitt Layton and Shane Wood are constantly working to improve our plan for next year.

The parents this year were so supportive and have given us great ideas, we will put them to use again. The Junior Council is meeting to help us with fundraising so that we can see the kids for more than four days a year to train. I look forward to seeing what the next year will bring.

In closing, this junior team can hold their heads up high knowing that they “dared to be themselves in the face of adversity. That they chose right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over popularity. They traveled the path of integrity without looking back.” That’s what makes a championship team, in my opinion. 
Team Photo: Courtesy Mark Chirban

Coaches pictured L-R: Layton, Gudinas, Beane, Wood. 
Photo courtesy Kelley Beane.