2002 E-Force 30th USRA National Intercollegiate Championships
Presented by Head/Penn Racquet Sports

Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas: April 3-7, 2002

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Jack Huczek (Oakland University, Rochester, Mich.) is the new men's intercollegiate champion, after eliminating defending champion Shane Vanderson (Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio) in one of the most exciting matches of the year. Both players went all out the entire match with recurring ovations from the crowd.

Vanderson came away with a victory in the first game 12-15 but Huczek evened the match by taking the second 15-10. The tiebreaker promised to be exciting and the players didn't let the crowd down. Huczek took an early 2-0 lead but Vanderson scored two of his own to even the match. The players traded points and leads with spectacular play that had the crowd on it's feet. "That is some of the best racquetball I have seen in a long time," said Jim Hiser, USRA Executive Director. After being tied at 2-2, 3-3, and 4-4, Huczek took control of the match and moved ahead 7-4. The players then traded seven side-outs before Vanderson managed to pull within one at 7-6. That was as close as he would get as Huczek closed out the match 11-6.

"I stayed composed and eventually started moving and hitting my shots," said Huczek after the match. "I was fortunate the match went my way." When asked how he felt about not earning a spot on the U.S. National team Vanderson replied with a sly smile, "I'm looking forward to Houston." Houston is where the U.S National Singles Championships are played in May and four players will earn spots on the U.S. National team.

Krystal Csuk (Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio) won the women's No. 1 singles championships over another defending champion, Kristen Walsh (University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah). Ironically, Csuk took over Baldwin Wallace's No. 1 singles position after Walsh transferred to be closer to her family. Csuk shocked the crowd, and perhaps Walsh, in the first game by jumping out to a 14-0 lead. Walsh managed a point but that was all as Csuk won 15-1. The second game was almost as lopsided but it was Walsh who came out on top 15-4.

The tiebreaker looked like it was going to be another lopsided game when Csuk again jumped out to an early 9-3 lead. Walsh dug down deep and pulled within a point at 9-8 but it was Csuk's day and she came away with an 11-9 win that earned her a spot on the U.S. National team. "I played out of my mind in the first game but I knew that she is so mentally tough that she would come back in the second," said Csuk. "I am just really excited to be on the (U.S. National) team."

Top seeded Jack Huczek (Oakland College, Rochester, Mich.) will face No. 2 Shane Vanderson in the match-up everyone has been anticipating. Huczek is the U.S. National singles champion and current member of the U.S. National team. Vanderson is the defending National Intercollegiate singles champion and also a member of the U.S. National team. They have played several times most recently at the U.S. OPEN racquetball championships where Huczek edged Vanderson in a tiebreaker.

Huczek has been plowing his way through the tournament and it appeared that he would do just that when he faced No. 4 Cesar Carrillo (University of Memphis, Memphis, Tenn.) in the semifinals. Huczek took the first game 15-5, but Carrillo came out strong in the second game, seeming to find his groove and forcing Huczek into several uncharacteristic skips. The score remained close throughout the game and was tied several times. Every time Carrillo seemed to make a spectacular shot Huczek seemed to come up with one of his own. In the end, Huczek was just too powerful to overcome and Carrillo lost 15-13.

Vanderson also had a tough match in the semifinals against No. 7 Andreas Jimenez (University of Southern Colorado, Pueblo, Colo.). Vanderson and Jimenez battled out each point and Jimenez had game point several times at 14-13. Vanderson earned the side out and won the first game with an incredible dive-kill, 15-14. Jimenez took advantage of what appeared to be a tired Vanderson in the second game. Much like the first game, the score was close but Jimenez seemed to be in control and pulled out a 15-12 win. The way Vanderson came out in the tiebreaker had many in the crowd wondering if he was playing possum in the second game. Playing his best racquetball of the tournament, he jumped out to a 10-0 lead. Jimenez managed a few points but the deficit was too big and he succumbed 11-4.

The women's final will also feature players that a familiar with each other. No. 1 Kristen Walsh (Utah State University) faces No. 2 Krystal Csuk (Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio) for the second time in a major championship final in the past six months. They previously squared off in the Pro-Kennex Junior World Championships in December and Walsh won rather convincingly. Ironically, Csuk took Walsh's spot on the Baldwin Wallace roster when Walsh transferred to Utah State to be closer to her family.

Walsh, much like Huczek, has been blowing by her opponents. She defeated Kris Alatorre Martin (Arizona State, Tempe, Ariz.), 15-4, 15-6, in her semifinal match. Allatore Martin played a strong match but Walsh was always one step ahead of her. It seemed that whenever Allatore Martin would make a great shot Walsh was there to retrieve it, squashing any hopes of the upset.

Csuk had been cruising through the tournament as well until she faced No. 3 Melissa Borgwat (California State University, Sacramento, Calif.). Although Csuk won the match in straight games, 15-13, 15-14, the scores show exactly how close the match really was. Not only was the score close but the players played close to one another with many hinders called. At one point, the two player collided knocking Borgwat's tongue piercing out. After a quick timeout to put it back in, she was ready to go and continued her match.

Natalie Brush earned a spot in Saturday's final in the women's No.3 singles division by defeating Laura Bryan (Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah) in Friday's semifinals. Brush played outstanding and controlled most of the match on her way to a 15-8, 15-6 victory. Brush will face Sarah Morrison (Penn State University, University Park, Penn.) in the finals. Morrison got past Cindy Delvalle (Bryant College, Smithfield, R.I.) 15-3, 15-12.

Tanner Ferguson was the only other Texas A&M player to make the semifinals but was defeated by Jason Zilveti (Arizona State, Tempe, Ariz.) 15-6, 15-3 in men's No. 6 singles. Ferguson will go up against Zach Pitcher (Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah) for third place Saturday.

The top remaining seeds in the men's No. 1 singles division all advanced although defending champion and No. 2 seed Shane Vanderson (Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio) was nearly upset by Travis Passey (Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah). Vanderson was tested and found himself down 9-7 at one point during the first game. He turned his game up a notch, however, and ended game one on an 8-0 run to win 15-9. It looked as though Vanderson was in control of the match at that point but Passey didn't cave. Playing to Vanderson's, at times questionable forehand, Passey found himself up 14-12. With some lucky breaks and a few spectacular dives Vanderson was able to escape with a 15-14 victory.

Vanderson will face No. 7 Andreas Jimenez (University of Southern Colorado, Pueblo, Colo.) who continued to roll through the competition by defeating Marvin Miller (Sam Houston State, Huntsville, Texas) 15-3, 15-5. No. 1 Jack Huczek and No. 4 Cesar Carrillo also advanced easily into the semifinals.

All four top seeds earned spots in the women's No. 1 singles division. Defending champion and top seed Kristen Walsh (University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah) defeated Jessica Donvon (Bryant College, Smithfield, R.I.) 15-3, 15-2. Walsh will face No. 4 Kris Alatorre Martin (Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.) who got past Keely Franks (University of Texas, Austin, Texas) 15-8, 15-1. On the bottom half of the draw, No 2. Krystal Csuk (Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio) was victorious against Quinn Morton (Penn State University, University Park, Penn.) 15-1, 15-6. Her next opponent is Melissa Borgwat (California State University, Sacramento, Calif.) who blew past Megan Morris (Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah) 15-1, 15-0.

"I went in there a little more nervous than I should have been. I went in there playing a name instead of a player." Justin Bell - Sophomore, Nichols College, after his match with No.1 seed and U.S. National team member Jack Huczek

"This is honestly the best campus facility I have ever seen." James Ford - Senior, University of North Carolina, on the Texas A&M student recreation center.

"It's very similar to high school nationals in terms of the feel of the tournament - lots of enthusiasm for their teams. There are some truly outstanding players and a lot of beginners just learning this sport." John Ferguson - Oregon State High School Racquetball Commissioner, comparing the National Intercollegiate Championships to the High School National Championships.

"I'm stoked to be here. I've only been playing for six months but I'm working my way up." Michelle Valenza - Freshman, Utah State.

"I've been to a couple tournaments but this one is really awesome - a lot of team spirit." Marlo Roberts - Junior, Utah State.

Natalie Brush was the only other Aggie to earn a birth in the semifinals by getting past Kristen Dunfee (Arizona State, Tempe, Ariz.). The first game was close but Brush took control of the second for a 15-13, 15-2 win. Brush's next challenger is Laura Bryan (Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah) who defeated Michelle Valenza (Utah State, Logan, Utah) 15-8, 15-2.

"I like the rock climbing wall and it is more spacious." Kris Alatorre-Martin - Sophomore, Arizona State University, comparing Arizona State's student recreation center with Texas A&M's.

"The college level is the best level of racquetball as far as the competitiveness and camaraderie. I like watching these kids battle every point to the end and then walking off, win or lose, with new friendships." Shane Wood - Coach, Nichols College.

"I feel more at home here because I play on these courts all the time. I'd rather go someplace else and use it as a vacation, but it's cool because I don't have to miss any classes." Maren Garibay - Graduate Student, Texas A&M University, on playing the tournament on her home courts.

"I am proud to have a chance to carry on a rich tradition. That is the reason I went to Memphis. I wanted to go to a school that has won a national championship in racquetball." Mike Lawrence - Freshman, University of Memphis, on his feelings about attending racquetball powerhouse University of Memphis.

"It was a dream to come here. I went to USC because it was a dream to play in the intercollegiates like Nacho (Luis Bustillos) and Sammy (Menache), but I don't like playing after I eat." Andreas Jimenez - Sophomore, University of Southern Colorado.

Earning wins in the men's draw for Texas A&M were Joe Akerman, Carlos Arendondo, Tanner Ferguson, and Josh Haack. Akerman defeated Eric Steen (Nichols College, Dudley, Mass.) 15-4, 15-2 in men's No. 1 singles before losing in the second round to Adreas Jimenez (Univ. of Southern Colorado, Pueblo, Colo.) 15-12, 15-2. Arendondo picked up a win in men's No. 3 singles against Tim Unrath (Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y.) in a close match 15-10, 15-14. Ferguson earned two victories for the Aggies by defeating James Knochel (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y.) 15-4, 15-4 in men's No. 6 singles then pairing up with Haack to defeat Paul Babin and ViJay Pulipati (California State University, Sacremento, Calif.) 15-4, 15-1 in men's No. 3 doubles.

Maren Garibay and Megan McManis earned victories for Texas A&M in the women's draw. Garibay, playing women's No. 2 singles, defeated Amanda Fallows (Nichols College, Dudley, Mass.). McManis earned her victory in women's No. 5 singles against Quatia Marigny (Bryant College, Smithfield, R.I.) 15-10, 15-8.

Play resumes Thursday and continues through Saturday at the Texas A&M student recreation center. There are over 25 schools and nearly 200 players participating in the tournament in addition to Texas A&M. The winner of the men's and women's No. 1 singles divisions earn one-year appointments to the U.S. National Racquetball Team. There is no charge for spectators to view the action.

Many upsets and an important no-show has the men's No. 1 singles bracket looking much like last month's men's NCAA basketball tournament bracket. Unseeded Justin Bell (Nichols College, Dudley, Mass.) defeated No. 8 Rick Warner (Arizona State, Tempe, Ariz.) 15-1, 15-3 in the round of 32. Bell continued his run in the round 16 when he upset No. 9 Charles Shaffer (University of Texas - San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas) 15-11, 15-10.

In the bottom half of the men's draw No. 10 Travis Passey (Bingham Young University, Provo, Utah) defeated No. 7 Marc Salinas (California State, Sacramento, Calif.) in a tight match. Passey won the first game 15-12 only to see Salinas even the match with a 15-10 victory in the second game. The tiebreaker was tight but Passey pulled out an 11-6 victory to move into the round of 8.

All other top seeds advanced with the exception of Jason Jansen (Normandale College, Bloomington, Minn.) who did not show for his match. Jansen's no-show allowed Marvin Miller (Sam Houston State, Huntsville, Texas) to move into the final eight. Top seeded Jack Huczek (Oakland College, Rochester, Mich.) and No. 2 Shane Vanderson (Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio) both advanced easily.

There were no major upsets in the women's No. 1 singles division and defending champion Kristen Walsh (University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah) advanced with a bye. Walsh's top challenger, No. 2 Krystal Csuk (Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio), moved on by defeating Ashley Wright (Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y.) 15-2, 15-0. Ironically Csuk took Walsh's spot at Baldwin Wallace when Walsh transferred to the University of Utah to be closer to home.

The 2002 E-Force 30th USRA Intercollegiate Championships presented by Head/Penn Racquet Sports begins Wednesday April 3 and continues through Saturday April 8 at the Texas A&M student recreation center. There is no charge for spectators to view the action.

player information

opening rounds
& schedule

• Schedule:
• Wednesday -- 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
• Thursday -- 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Friday -- 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
• Saturday -- 8:00 am to 8:00 pm 
• Sunday -- 8:00 am to 8:00 pm 

LODGING: The Hilton, 801 University Drive East, College Station 77840; 979-693-7500. Rate: $89.00 / per night, plus tax, for up to four persons per room. Stipulations: You must make your reservations no later than 03/20, and reference the National Intercollegiate Racquetball Championships to secure the special tournament rate. 

GROUND TRANSPORTATION: Various ground transportation services are available from the airport, and you must make your own arrangements in advance or on arrival.

HOSPITALITY: Will be limited, so please plan accordingly. An awards banquet will be held on Saturday evening at 7:30 pm. Souvenir tournament shirt will be available to all entrants.