1999 Ektelon 32nd USRA National
Singles Championships -- "The Finals"
Presented by Penn Racquet Sports

Downtown YMCA - Houston, Texas: May 26-31

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PREVIEW | Daily Reports | Drawsheets | Photos | Finals & Finishers

MEDIA ADVISORY! ... Call 719/963-8074 for more details about this event from Kevin Vicroy, USRA Media/Public Relations Manager. For website questions or concerns, contact Linda Mojer, USRA Assoc. Executive Director/Communications & Editor/RACQUETBALL.

HOUSTON HOSTS FOR 17TH YEAR

Celebrating 17 consecutive years, the Downtown YMCA in Houston will host the Ektelon 32nd U.S. National Singles Racquetball Championships, presented by Penn Racquet Sports, over Memorial Day weekend. Some 700 players will compete in the six-day event, with over 1,200 matches scheduled in 34 title divisions -- including the open division U.S. Team and Pan American Games Team qualifier. Preliminary rounds begin on Wednesday, May 26 with finals scheduled for Memorial Day, the 31st.

  • 32nd annual event (established in 1968)
  • 17th year at the Downtown YMCA (since 1983)
  • Qualifier for U.S. National Team (top four open division male and female athletes appointed)
  • Qualifier for Pan American Games Team (top two open finishers earn the chance to compete in this July's Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada)
  • 1,200+ opening matches scheduled for 700+ participants
  • 34 national titles awarded on Memorial Day (champions through the age of 85+)
  • USRA Annual Awards banquet at Hyatt Regency on the 29th
  • Four "Athletes of the Year" named
  • Earl Acuff (Asheville, N.C.) inducted into Racquetball Hall of Fame
  • Surprise achievement awards

Racquetball's most prestigious event, the annual National Singles Championships is also a proving ground for potential U.S. National Team members. The top four men's and women's open finishers earn spots on the team, plus a chance to compete in the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada. The top two finishers in the men's and women's open divisions will qualify for the Pan Am team.

MEN'S OPEN: Adam Karp (Stockton, Calif.) took out former two-time national champion Michael Bronfeld (Monterey, Calif.) in the finals, 15-8, 15-10. Karp and Bronfeld will lead the pack out of the gate, however, Texans Drew Kachtik (Louisville) and Doug Eagle (Dallas) should make a strong push for the crown. Kachtik is a former pro tour champion, who has reinstated his amateur status and is looking to fight for the Pan American Games title.

WOMEN'S OPEN: Three-time world singles champion and eight-time national singles champion Michelle Gould (Boise, Idaho) is searching for revenge from last year's 15-10, 15-11 semifinal loss to eventual national title winner Robin Levine (Sacramento, Calif.). The 1998 runner-up, Jackie Paraiso (El Cajon, Calif.) is currently ranked No. 1 in the world and is riding high off of her November victory over Canadian Christie Van Hees in the finals of the Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships in Memphis.

TOURNAMENT DETAIL -- Divisions & Scoring: In addition to Open and four skill divisions, age group and combined age-group/skill titles will be offered to men and women in 24-, 24- a/b, 24- c/d, 25+, 25+ a/b, 25+ c/d, 30+, 35+, 35+ a/b, 35+ c/d, 40+, 45+, 45+ a/b, 45+ c/d, 50+, 55+, 55+ a/b, 55+ c/d, 60+, 65+, 70+, 75+, 80+, 85+. Each draw is single elimination, and matches are played the best of three games to 15 points - the third game goes to 11 points - win by one.

  • Official Sanctions: United States Racquetball Association [USRA] - Member U.S. Olympic Committee International Racquetball Federation [IRF] - Member International Olympic Committee Texas Amateur Racquetball Association [TARA] - Member USRA
  • Official Sponsors: Ektelon, Penn Racquet Sports, Downtown YMCA, Hyatt Regency
  • Official Ball: Pro Penn Tournament
  • Amateur Status: Only amateurs may participate. A professional is defined as anyone who has accepted prize money in the preceding 12 months, regardless of amount, in any IRT/WIRT pro sanctioned tournament or any other event so deemed as professional by the USRA Board of Directors and who has not maintained their eligibility through the USRA trust fund.
Open Schedule:
Wednesday, May 26 3pm to 11pm Preliminary rounds
Thursday, May 27 8am to 7pm Round of Thirty-two
Friday, May 28 8am to 5pm Round of Sixteen
Saturday, May 29 8am to 6pm Quarterfinals (Team USA qualifying round)
Sunday, May 30 8am to 6pm Semi-finals (Pan Am qualifying round)
Monday, May 31 8am to 4pm FINALS

WORLD'S FINEST RACQUETBALL ATHLETES READY TO COMPETE FOR SPOTS ON PAN AM TEAM

Also known in the racquetball community as "The Finals," this year's national singles event will finalize the Pan Am Roster: The top four men's and women's open division finishers earn spots on the United States National Team, plus a chance to compete in the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada. The top two finishers in the men's and women's open divisions will qualify for the Pan Am roster.

Top Seeds Announced: The top 8 seeds were released by tournament director Jim Hiser, but are still subject to change. Men's Open -- 1. Adam Karp (Stockton, Calif.); 2. Michael Bronfeld (Pacific Grove, Calif.); 3. Ruben Gonzalez (Staten Island, N.Y.); 4. Eric Muller (Boston, Mass.); 5. Todd O'Neil (Lewisville, Texas); 6. Jason Thoerner (Augusta, Ga.); 7. Mike Locker (West St. Paul, Minn.); 8. Dan Llacera (Newark, Del.).

Women's Open -- 1. Robin Levine (Sacramento, Calif.); 2. Jackie Paraiso (El Cajon, Calif.); 3. Cheryl Gudinas (Lisle, Ill.); 4. Laura Fenton (Troutdale, Ore.); 5. Kersten Hallander (San Diego, Calif.); 6. Lydia Hammock (San Diego, Calif.); 7. Kerri Stoffregen (Chicago, Ill.); 8. Kim Russell (Chattanooga, Tenn.).

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