2003 USRA 36th National 
Doubles Championships
Presented by Penn Racquet Sports

Northwest Athletic Club | Hiway 100
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota: October 1-5, 2003

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The 2003 36th United States Racquetball Association (USRA) National Doubles Championships concluded Sunday at the Northwest Athletic Club/Hiway 100 in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center. More than 400 racquetball players from across the country competed in the five-day event for the chance to be crowned national champion. One-year appointments to the U.S. National Team were earned by the finalists in the men's and women's open divisions.

John Ellis (Stockton, Calif.) and Adam Karp (Stockton, Calif.) teamed together to decisively win the men's open final over Mike Dennison (Twinsburg, Ohio) and Shane Vanderson (Berea, Ohio), 15-5, 15-2. It was Karp's fourth national doubles title (2003, 2000, 1997, 1995) and Ellis' third (2003, 1993, 1991), but their first together as a team.

Dennison and Vanderson looked out of sorts from the beginning of the match and never quite settled in. "I had a feeling that they could be a little nervous," Ellis said. "Adam and I have been here before, but they'll win their share of tournaments in the future because they are so strong."

"It feels great to win and I think we caught a real good team on an off day," Karp added. "We played real well today and I think that it would have been a battle even if they were on their game."

Ellis and Karp were on their game and began the match by going on a 7-1 run. Dennison and Vanderson managed to score a few points, but Ellis and Karp countered their every move and dominated the match throughout.

"We were like two lost dogs in downtown Manhattan," Vanderson said after the match. "We didn't know what to do halfway through the first game. Whatever we tried didn't work."

Jackie Rice (Ramona, Calif.) and Kim Russell (Austin, Texas) repeated in the women's open division by defeating Kersten Hallander (San Diego, Calif.) and Janel Tisinger (Simi, Calif.) in straight games, 15-9, 15-4. It was Rice's eighth national doubles win (2003, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1994, 1991, 1990) and Russell's fourth (2003, 2002, 2001, 1999). They had also teamed together to earn a silver medal for the U.S. at the 2003 Pan American Games this past August.

"It is rewarding for the time that we put into it and the sacrifices that we have made along the way," Rice said of her title.

The match began close until Rice and Russell stepped up their game, forcing Hallander and Tisinger into mistakes which led to easy points.

"They could have played better, but I think that our experience paid off," Rice explained. "I felt that we were mentally better prepared."

Tisinger agreed with Rice's outlook on the match, "I don't think that we were very focused and we didn't play as well as we could have. They played great and we didn't."

There will be a new men's open champion this year after No. 5 John Ellis (Stockton, Calif.) and Adam Karp (Stockton, Calif.) knocked off two-time defending champions and top seeds Ruben Gonzalez (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Mike Guidry (Carrollton, Texas), 11-15, 15-14, 11-4. At first it didn't look as though Ellis and Karp would be able to dethrone the champs after losing the first game and then finding themselves down 13-4 in the second.

"It was a pretty big lead and I was thinking about flights home in the morning, but you never know in doubles," Ellis said.

"I was so frustrated with how I was playing that I didn't think about it (a comeback) until we stopped them a few times," Karp added. "Then I started thinking that if we could get a few points then anything could happen."

Ellis and Karp stormed back to take the second game by just a point and then continued their momentum into the tiebreaker, 11-4, to win the match.

They will face No. 7 Mike Dennison (Twinsburg, Ohio) and Shane Vanderson (Berea, Ohio) who upset No. 3 Jeff Bell (Tucson, Ariz.) and Doug Ganim (Westerville, Ohio) in straight games, 15-9, 15-14. Dennison and Vanderson began the match by overpowering Bell and Ganim and won the first game with relative ease.

The second game was a different story, however, when Bell and Ganim switched strategies by both serving high lob serves to Dennison. The move proved to be a good one as Bell and Ganim kept a slim advantage for most of the second game, before Dennison and Vanderson adjusted their strategy as well.

"They made a switch in their strategy against us, so we made an adjustment and switched ours as well," Dennison [foreground left] explained. "Instead of trying to overpower them with crosscourt passes I began to hit more shots down the line."

"We played well and I think that our court coverage was good today," Vanderson said. "There's still room for improvement and we aren't done yet. We still have one more match to play."

After a week filled with upsets the women's draw evened itself out and the top two seeds will face each other in Sunday's final. Defending champions and top seeds Jackie Rice (Ramona, Calif.) and Kim Russell (Austin, Texas) were tested by No. 5 Malia Bailey (Norfolk, Va.) and Aimee Ruiz (Stirling, N.J.), but managed to escape with a victory, 6-15, 15-8, 11-9.

The first game was dominated by Ruiz and Bailey [L-R/at left] as they handed Rice and Russell their first loss in the tournament in nearly two years.

"Malia's pretty experienced. I know because I have played doubles with her before and she is a good doubles player. I also know that Aimee can get hot and she is a shooter," Rice said. "We just needed to regroup and focus because we weren't playing to our game plan. Of course you get a little nervous after losing the first game because you have to win the next two. Since we didn't stick to our game plan in the first game we felt confident because that part of our game hadn't been tested."

Rice and Russell turned the tables in the second game and controlled it almost as well as Bailey and Ruiz controlled the first. The tiebreaker was much tougher as both teams struggled to score points. As the match neared its second hour Rice and Russell were able to score the match's final two points to win 11-9.

"Overall I felt like it was a good match although I am disappointed with the loss," Bailey said afterwards. "We had our opportunities. They made theirs and we didn't make ours. That was the difference."

Rice and Russell will face No. 2 Kersten Hallander (San Diego, Calif.) and Janel Tisinger (Simi, Calif.) who recorded a straight game victory over No. 6 Cheryl Gudinas (Lisle, Ill.) and Kristen Walsh (Salt Lake City, Utah), 15-8, 15-13. Hallander and Tisinger finished third in last year's national doubles championships. Now in just their second year together they are poised to earn their first national championship.

"I think Kersten and I play well together," Tisinger said. "Our strategy today was to hit wide angle passes to move them into the back court and then go for the pinch once they were behind us."

The strategy worked and now they are set to face two of the most successful doubles players in recent history for the title.

"I'm a little nervous, but I'm not going to be intimidated," Tisinger, 20, said. "We're just going to go out there, play our game, and have a lot of fun."

The 2003 USRA National Doubles Championships conclude Sunday at the Northewest Athletic Club/Hiway 100 with the men's and women's open finals. There is no charge for spectators to view the action.

More seeds fell Friday at the 2003 36th United States Racquetball Association (USRA) National Doubles Championships presented by Penn Racquet Sports as the field was narrowed down to the semifinals in men's and women's open. Saturday's matches have added importance as players try to secure spots on the U.S. National Team. The top two finishers in the men's and women's open division earn one-year appointments to the team.

The big story in men's open was the forfeiture of the second seeded duo, Jason Thoerner (Canton, Ga.) and Mitch Williams (Raleigh, N.C.). They were forced to pull out after Thoerner learned that his expectant wife Angie was going into labor. He boarded a plane early Friday to be present for the birth of their first child. Benefiting from the forfeit were Mike Dennison (Twinsburg, Ohio) and Shane Vanderson (Berea, Ohio) who moved into the semifinals.

Dennison and Vanderson will face No. 3 Jeff Bell (Tucson, Ariz.) and Doug Ganim (Westerville, Ohio) who had to go to their second straight tiebreaker to advance past Jimmy Lowe (Fairbanks, Alaska) and Jeff Stark (Olympia, Wash.). Lowe and Stark won the first game 15-12 and had a setup for the match at 14-14 in the second game, but were unable to convert. Bell and Ganim took advantage of the miscue to win the second game 15-14 and then controlled the entire tiebreaker to win the match, 11-1.

In the top half of the draw No. 1 Ruben Gonzalez (Staten Island, N.Y) and Mike Guidry (Carrollton, Texas) continued toward their third straight national doubles title with a straight game victory over Tim Hansen (Green Acres, Fla.) and Dan Llacera (Rehoboth Beach, Fla.) 15-12, 15-12. Gonzalez and Guidry have won four national titles together (2002, 2001, 1999) and earned a silver medal at the 2003 Pan American Games this past August.

L-R: Llacera and Hansen fall to Guidry and Gonzalez	Huczek (in doorway), Karp and Ellis during an appeal

Their opponents will be No. 5 John Ellis (Stockton, Calif.) and Adam Karp (Stockton, Calif.) who recorded a minor upset over No. 4 Jack Huczek (Rochester, Mich.) and Todd O'Neil (Belleville, Neb.), 15-13, 15-11. It is the first time in 10 years that Ellis has played a USRA event. He plays full-time on the men's International Racquetball Tour (IRT) where he is currently ranked No. 6.

"I just wanted to come out because I love playing doubles and I love the sport," he said. "I enjoy coming to these (USRA) events and I thought that Karp and I would have a good shot at winning it."

There were also upsets in women's open beginning with No. 6 Cheryl Gudinas (Lisle, Ill.) and Kristen Walsh's (Salt Lake City, Utah) win over No. 3 Mary Lyons (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Susan Pfahler (Jacksonville, Fla.) in a tight match that went the distance, 15-11, 10-15, 11-7. Ironically, it was last year that Lyons and Pfahler that upset Gudinas and Walsh, seeded No. 7 and No. 2, respectively.

They will face No. 2 Kersten Hallander (San Diego, Calif.) and Janel Tisinger (Simi, Calif.) after they got past Tammy Brown (Boise, Idaho) and Adrienne Fisher (Centerville, Ohio), 15-9, 15-7. Hallander and Tisinger placed third at last year's event and are both vying for their first national title.

No. 1 Jackie Rice (Ramona, Calif.) and Kim Russell (Austin, Texas) continued to roll through the tournament with yet another straight game win over Rachel Gellman (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Jo Shattuck (Lakewood, Colo.), 15-5, 15-8. Rice and Russell were on a similar pace last year as they cruised through the tournament without losing a game. They paired together at the 2003 Pan American Games to earn a silver medal in women's doubles competition.

Their opponents will be No. 5 Malia Bailey (Norfolk, Va.) and Aimee Ruiz (Stirling, N.J.) who upset No. 4 Amy Foster (Fairlawn, Ohio) and Rhonda Rajsich (Phoenix, Ariz.) 15-12, 15-9. Bailey, 45, has won three (3) national doubles titles (1988, 1985, 1983) with the last one coming 15 years ago.

The 2003 USRA National Doubles Championships resume Saturday with the semifinals and conclude on Sunday with the finals. Over 400 players have made the trek to the Northwest Athletic Club/Hiway 100 in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center to compete in the event. There is no charge for spectators to view the action.

"His wife called yesterday and said that she had high blood pressure so they decided to induce labor," Thoerner's partner Williams explained. "She actually called me because he was playing in his 25 (and over) match so I knew we were done playing before him."

Luckily it is just two and a half weeks before her due date and all signs point to a successful birth. Thoerner and Williams weren't concerned that the birth would happen while they were in Minneapolis; instead they were more worried about missing an upcoming pro stop.

"We weren't concerned about it for this event because it was still two or three weeks away," Williams said. "He was actually more concerned about missing the Chicago pro stop."

Benefiting from the forfeit were Vanderson and Dennison who had mixed feelings about their advancement in the draw.

"No one wants to win like that," Vanderson said. "But on the same token, sometimes it takes a little luck to win a tournament. After playing an 11-10 tiebreaker yesterday (Thursday) we could use the day off."

Vanderson continued, "You know that he (Thoerner) has his priorities in the right place and I am sure that it will be one of the happiest days of his life."

Although Williams loses a shot at his first U.S. National Team appointment, he was supportive of his partner when asked if he was let down about withdrawing from the tournament.

"No, not at all. It's great that Jason and Angie are having a baby," he said. "There are more important things in life than racquetball and I am happy for them."

Williams still has two more events that he is competing in - mixed open with Kristen Walsh (Salt Lake City, Utah) and men's 24-and-under with Brent Walters (Raleigh, N.C.). He and Walters are trying for their third straight title in that division.

At the close of Open round match play today, current national champions had yet to drop a game in their bids for repeat titles. Winners of tomorrow's matches will be appointed to the U.S. National Team, regardless of the final outcome.

Women's competition tightened up in the quarterfinal, as No.1 seeded Jackie Rice and Kim Russell defeated Rachel Gellman and Jo Shattuck in straight games of 15-5, 15-8. Long-time team member and athlete representative to the USRA Board of Directors Malia Bailey teamed with newlywed Aimee Roehler Ruiz to upset the No.4 seeded team of Amy Foster and Rhonda Rajsich, 15-12, 15-9.

In a grudge re-match of a 2002 early round, Cheryl Gudinas and Kristen Walsh overturned No.3 seeded veterans Mary Lyons and Susan Pfahler, who have been competing together at national doubles events for 20 years. Their tiebreaker went the distance, 12-15, 15-10, 11-7 and was followed by a quick win by the No.2 seeded team of Kersten Hallander and Janel Tisinger over Adrienne Fisher and Tammy Brown.  

In the men's round, only three of the four scheduled matches were played today, after Jason Thoerner was called away due to a family emergency, leaving partner Mitch Williams on his own. The luck of that draw went to Mike Dennison and Shane Vanderson, who advanced without firing a shot.

They will face four-time national champ Doug Ganim and Jeff Bell, who played the closest match of the round against Jimmy Lowe and Jeff Stark. After losing the first game 12-15, Ganim and Bell were on the ropes in the latter half of the second, after a series of exchanges that kept the teams point-for-point until they tied, 14-all, and received serve twice at match point. A series of close calls and appeals at the close of game two led to the tiebreaker, and stalled the momentum of Lowe and Stark, who were shut out at 11-1. 

Lowe (green) and Stark discuss a ruling with the official	Lowe and Ganim continue the discussion on court

There were many close calls and the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds were ousted in men's open on Thursday. Jimmy Lowe (Fairbanks, Alaska) and Jeff Stark (Olympia, Wash.) upset No.7 Josh Tucker (Joplin, Mo.) and Chris Wright (Manchester, Mo.) in a tight match, 6-15, 15-4, 11-10. It was the second year in a row that Lowe and Stark defeated a higher seed in the round of 16. Last year they knocked off 2001 runner-ups and No.2 seeded Dan Llacera (Rehoboth Beach, Del.) and Brian Pointelin (Salt Lake City, Utah).

Ironically it was Llacera, with new partner Tim Hansen (Green Acres, Fla.), that provided Wednesday's other upset. They defeated the No.8 seeded team of Michael Bronfeld (Pacific Grove, Calif.) and Dan Fowler (Rockville, Md.) in straight games of 15-4, 15-3.

Two other seeded teams needed tiebreakers to advance into the "Elite Eight" including No. 4 Jeff Bell (Tucson, Ariz.) and Doug Ganim (Westerville, Ohio). and After dropping the first game 15-14 to Jonathan Dunn (Palmdale, Calif.) and Greg Solis (Orange, Calif.), Bell and Ganim stormed back to take the second 15-3. They advanced after winning what became a heated tiebreaker, 11-8.

No. 8 Mike Dennison (Twinsburg, Ohio) and Shane Vanderson (Berea, Ohio) also needed a tiebreaker to get past Mike Harmon (Sarasota, Fla.) and Matt McElhiney (Bradenton, Fla.), 15-9, 13-15, 11-10. Dennison and Vanderson looked to have the match under control after winning the first game and then taking a 13-4 lead in the second. Harmon and McElhiney then stepped up their game and came back to win the second and then take a 10-7 lead in the tiebreaker. Dennison and Vanderson were able to cut back on their mistakes and take advantage of setups to make their own comeback to win the match.

All other top seeds advanced in the men's open including two-time defending champions Ruben Gonzalez (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Mike Guidry (Carrollton, Texas) and No. 2 Jason Thoerner (Canton, Ga.) and Mitch Williams (Raleigh, N.C.).

There were only three matches in the women's open as they opened competition Thursday. Rachel Gellman (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Jo Shattuck (Lakewood, Colo.) defeated Teresa Beresford (Fort Washington, Md.) and Doreen Fowler (Rockville, Md.), 15-12, 15-8, and will play defending champions and No. 1 seed Jackie Rice (Ramona, Calif.) and Kim Russell (Austin, Texas) in their match scheduled for Friday.

Tammy Brown (Boise, Idaho) and Adrienne Fisher (Centerville, Ohio) came back from a first game defeat to win their match against Jamie Trachsel (Fargo, N.D.) and Jill Trachsel (St. Louis Park, Minn.), 13-15, 15-6, 11-2. They will face No. 2 Kersten Hallander (San Diego, Calif.) and Janel Tisinger (Simi, Calif.) Friday.

Current Pan American Games women's singles gold medalist Cheryl Gudinas (Lisle, Ill.) and current USRA Intercollegiate champion Kristen Walsh (Salt Lake City, Utah) got past Lisa Hjelm (Carmichael, Calif.) and Kari McDonough (Carmichael, Calif.), 15-4, 15-4, setting up a rematch with No. 3 Mary Lyons (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Susan Pfahler (Jacksonville, Fla.). Lyons and Pfahler upset Gudinas and Walsh at last year's event on their way to a third place finish.

The 2003 USRA National Doubles Championships resume Friday and continue through the weekend until Sunday when finals are scheduled to be played. The finalists in the men's and women's open division earn one-year appointments to the U.S. National Team. There is no charge for spectators to view the action.

Pan American Games men's doubles silver medalists Ruben Gonzalez (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Mike Guidry (Carrollton, Texas) are attempting to make history this week by becoming the first team to win three straight men's open doubles national crowns. It would be their fourth title together overall (2002, 2001, 1999), tying them with Doug Ganim (Westerville, Ohio) and Dan Obremski (Pittsburgh, Pa.).

Gonzalez and Guidry know that it won't be an easy task, but seem ready for the challenge. "It's a tough draw this year, especially in the top half," Gonzalez said. "We have to go out and play the best we can every time out. We know that everyone is gunning for us because we are going after out third straight. There are a lot of good teams out there and anyone can win, but we know that all eyes are on us."

The pressure of repeating could bother some teams, but Gonzalez, 52, and Guidry, 33, are both veterans and seem confident as they approach their fourth title. "I thought about it (winning a third straight title) on the way here, but I don't think about it when I am playing."

Gonzalez has the same mindset as Guidry, but added that at the tournament it is hard to not think about repeating because "everyone keeps reminding us of it."

The duo represented the U.S. at the 14th Pan American Games and earned a silver medal in men's doubles. They lost in the final to the Mexican team of Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno and admit that the loss will affect them this week in Minneapolis - but in a positive way.

"We lost at the Pan Ams, so we have to make it up here," Gonzalez explained. "If we would have won down there I don't know if we would have come here with the same intensity. Now it's like starting all over again."

Gonzalez and Guidry opened their tournament Thursday with a win over Lee Hammons (Sacramento, Calif.) and James Swift (Sacramento, Calif.) 15-2, 15-8. There next match is scheduled for Friday at 5:15pm against Tim Hansen (Green Acres, Fla.) and Dan Llacera (Rehoboth Beach, Del.).

In the first round of the Women's 35+ division, Susan Hendricks and Sherri Anderson (far left & center), both from Phoenix, Arizona, went up against No.4 seeded Lorraine Galloway (front) and Karin Sobotta (far right).

This is only Sherri's second National Doubles Tournament. She's been back playing for four years after taking 15 years off.

Susan's story is much the same. She played in college, took 10 years off then started up again in 1994. In April of that year, she met her husband-to-be at the regional tourney at the City Square Athletic Club. Their first date was a racquetball match; a year and a half later they were married.

Susan and Sherri took first in Women's Open at the Arizona State Doubles only a few weeks ago, and came to this year's event with confidence. But their opponents in the first round of Women's 35's were Lorraine Galloway and Karin Sobotta, who took an early lead in the first. And while Susan and Sherri could not catch up, but did earn 10 points in the opener. But it didn't last and, again, the two veterans, Galloway and Sobotta, out-shot the two ladies from AZ 15-3 in the second.

For more information email Ryan John, USRA Media & Public Relations [719-499-3516]

Following surgery this past July to remove his ankle bone, Chris Coy (Elk City, Okla.) has returned to the courts to compete in the 2003 United States Racquetball Association (USRA) National Doubles Championships presented by Penn Racquet Sports this week in Minneapolis. 

The youngster -- who was selected as Sports Illustrated's "Young Sportsman of the Year" in 2000 -- was diagnosed with cancer at only five months of age, and had surgery that removed a tumor, his spleen and a kidney. After recovering, he was hit at the age of three by a devastating bacterial infection, which led to the amputation of his left foot. He did not let that stop him from being an active child and after his parents bought a health club when he was 6, Coy began to play racquetball.

"I started watching other guys play at the club and I wanted to try it," Coy said. "I knew that when I got in there and started hitting racquetballs it was what I wanted to do."

Since then he has turned into one of the top junior racquetball players in the country, winning the boy's 14- singles division at the 2002 USRA Junior National Championships. The win earned Coy a spot on the U.S. Junior National Team.

Coy was having problems with his ankle bone and opted for surgery to remove the bone. "It was bleeding and causing problems," he explained. "I couldn't play at the top of my game and I was in pain pretty much most of the time."

Unfortunately, the surgery forced him to miss the 2003 USRA Junior Nationals. Although Coy was disappointed by not playing, he kept a positive attitude. "It was really frustrating (missing junior nationals), but I knew it had to be done and it would be the best for me."

Just before the surgery he sent an e-mail to the players competing in the event wishing them luck and assuring them that he would be back the following year better than ever.

The surgery was a success and after just six (6) weeks off, Coy began to play racquetball again. "My leg is getting healed and not causing me any problems right now," he said. "After ahile I should be back on top of my game."

He admits that he is only "about 75%", but is just glad to be playing the sport that he loves again. "I'm glad to see everyone at the tournaments again. It feels good and I am excited to be back on the courts."

Coy played his men's open division Wednesday with partner Rich Barker (Phoenix, Ariz.). They lost to the local duo of Hart Johnson (St. Paul, Minn.) and Todd Stead (Eden Prairie, Minn.). He still has two more divisions to compete in - men's 24-and-under with Josh Tucker (Joplin, Mo.) and mixed elite with Annie Muniz (Houston, Texas).

The United States Racquetball Association (USRA) released the top seeds in the men’s and women’s open division for the 2003 USRA National Doubles Championships presented by Penn Racquet Sports to be held October 1-5 at the Northwest Athletic Club/Hiway 100 in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center. Teams in the men’s and women’s open division will be vying for spots on the U.S. National Team, which are earned by the top two finishers in each division.

Back-to-back defending champions Ruben Gonzalez (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Mike Guidry (Carrollton, Texas) earned the top seed in men’s open. Gonzalez and Guidry have captured three (3) USRA National Doubles titles (2002, 2001, 1999) and earned a silver medal at the 14th Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic this past August.

Jason Thoerner (Canton, Ga.) and Mitch Williams (Raleigh, N.C.) were slotted as the No. 2 seeds. Thoerner and Williams finished third in last year’s competition.

The No. 3 seed went to four-time champion Doug Ganim (Westerville, Ohio, 1998, 1989, 1987, 1986) and his partner Jeff Bell (Tucson, Ariz.). Ganim and Bell lost in a tiebreaker to Gonzalez and Guidry a year ago.

Rounding out the top seeds for the men are Jack Huczek (Rochester, Mich.) and former champion Todd O’Neil (Belleville, Neb., 1996). Huczek is the 2001 USRA National Singles champion and earned a gold medal at the Pan American Games in singles. He is seeking his first USRA National Doubles crown after finishing second last year with Eric Muller (New York, N.Y.).

On the women’s side, Jackie Rice (Ramona, Calif.) and Kim Russell (Austin, Texas) earned the top seed as they attempt to repeat as national champions. The two paired together to earn a silver medal at the Pan American Games in August. Rice is the most successful doubles player in history with seven (7) titles to her name (2002, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1994, 1991, 1990). Russell, no slouch herself, has three (2002, 2001, 1999).

Kersten Hallander (San Diego, Calif.) and Janel Tisinger (Simi, Calif.) will play as the No. 2 seed. Hallander and Tisinger made it to the semifinals last year before falling to eventual champions Rice and Russell.

Mary Lyons (Neptune Beach, Fla.) and Susan Pfahler (Jacksonville, Fla.) earned the No. 3 seed after also finishing in the semifinals a year ago. Lyons, 45, and Pfahler, 48, are also the favorites to win the women’s 45-and-over.

Earning the No. 4 seed are Amy Foster (Fairlawn, Ohio) and Rhonda Rajsich (Phoenix, Ariz.). Rajsich finished second last year with Laura Fenton (Overland Park, Kan.) as her partner.

The 2003 USRA National Doubles Championships are set to begin Wednesday and continue through Sunday when the men’s and women’s finals will be played. There are more than 400 players competing in 50 divisions in addition to the U.S. National Team qualifying open division. There is no charge for spectators to view the action.

Men’s Open
1. Ruben Gonzalez (Staten Island, N.Y.)/Mike Guidry (Carrollton, Texas)
2. Jason Thoerner (Canton, Ga.)/Mitch Williams (Raleigh, N.C.)
3. Doug Ganim (Westerville, Ohio)/Jeff Bell (Tucson, Ariz.)
4. Jack Huczek (Rochester, Mich.)/Todd O’Neil (Belleville, Neb.)

Women’s Open
1. Jackie Rice (Ramona, Calif.)/Kim Russell (Austin, Texas)
2. Kersten Hallander (San Diego, Calif.)/Janel Tisinger (Simi, Calif.)
3. Mary Lyons (Neptune Beach, Fla.)/Susan Pfahler (Jacksonville Beach, Fla.)
4. Amy Foster (Fairlawn, Ohio)/Rhonda Rajsich (Phoenix, Ariz.)

Minneapolis will once again host the United States Racquetball Association (USRA) National Doubles Championships presented by Penn Racquet Sports. The tournament will be held October 1-5 at the Northwest Athletic Club/Hiway 100 in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center. 

More than 400 players are expected to compete in men's, women's, and mixed doubles in over 50 divisions separated by age, skill, and combined age+skill. The finalists in the men's and women's open divisions earn one-year appointments to the U.S. National Racquetball Team.

Returning back-to-back champions Ruben Gonzalez (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Mike Guidry (Carrollton, Texas) will headline the men's open draw. Coming off a silver medal performance at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in August, Gonzalez and Guidry will attempt to win their fourth USRA National Doubles Championships (2002, 2001, 1999). Also expected to vie for the title are Jack Huczek (Rochester Hills, Mich.) and Todd O'Neil (Belleville, Neb.), as well as last year's third place team of Jason Thoerner (Canton, Ga.) and Mitch Williams (Raleigh, N.C.).

Also back to defend their open title are Jackie Rice (Ramona, Calif.) and Kim Russell (Austin, Texas), who claim the top seed and are favored to repeat again this year. Rice is the most successful women's doubles player in history with seven (7) national double titles; Russell has three (3) to her credit. The pair also earned silver at the recent Pan American Games, and could be tested by competition from the teams of Amy Foster (Fairlawn, Ohio) and Rhonda Rajsich (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Kersten Hallander (San Diego, Calif.) and Janel Tisinger (Simi, Calif.).

Final seeding for the event will be released Monday, September 29, and play is set to begin at 9:00am Wednesday, October 1. The finals of over 50 divisions will be played on Sunday, October 5, including the men's and women's open division team qualifiers. The tournament takes place at the Northwest Athletic Club/Hiway 100 located in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center. The club features fourteen courts including two exhibition courts with seating available for 3,500 fans. There is no charge for spectators to view the action.