“Inside Racquetball Newsletter”- Pros, Juniors, Indoors & Outdoors! Hope you enjoy it!
Some great racquetball news but first…
Is this the famous, #1 pro model and junior role model pictured to the left, Paola Longoria, caught red-handed not wearing her goggles? Paola-that is a big penalty and a no no as you “no.” My bro, Dr Brad Elkins, says very bluntly, “Your worst loss in rball could be your eyes!” Safety 1st-even in warm-ups. Pros- set an example!
1) PROS RESULTS AT EKTELON NATL- a) Rhonda Rhajsich makes USA team easily w/o even working a sweat for 4th time in a row. She beats co-USA team member Janel “Chanel” Tisinger. Both were decked out to the 9’s in Rollout clothes b) Congrats to newest USA Team member Jake Bredenback who just literally “honked” star pro Bobby’s Horn 15-14, 15-10 & also destroyed the #5 #,2 and #1 ranked pros here (i.e. Markie Rojas & USA team member Tom Fuhrmann who got just 3 points total (and he is amazing). Jake “the snake” stole the show with w/a huge backhand (and bigger bicepts).
2) MORE PROSE (I mean pros)- a) Adam Vanilla Manillatakes 2 majors here in open-Legend Bo Keely tells me that Adam had the most potential of any players he saw-“smarts & great shot selection.” b) Fran Davis receives the “Davis Cup” for most matches watched here doing a marathon-running up 4 flights to dispense her advice like a pharmacist-Heck, I even tried to get a few freebies thrown in too. c) Congrats to Aimee Ruiz for her pro dubs domination & d) a special thanks to a great USA staff like Dr Hiser, Joe W, Larry H., Steve C, Otto D, and Bob B etc who put on quite a show.
3) JUNIORS AT NATL SINGLES- There were many exciting juniors to watch: Mitchell Turner from Oregon who has played just 2 years & took 2nd in boys 14 losing to a good or was it somehow a “great Dane” Elkins 15-5 15-5 who won boys 18s; Heather Mahoney-10-US JR. team member wins out; Ben “Red” Barron plays lights out; in boys 18’s, power hitting Jack “he almost gave me a heart attack” Kujick takes 2nd ; Heijen Koo easily wins girls 18 & Attosa Rejaie captures gold in girls 14. Thanks to Dr Hiser, Bonnie R, Tim Turner & Eric Cohen for their help w/ junior division. Good luck at nat’ls.
4) JR OLYMPICS JUNIOR TEST REQD-Don’t forget to take the new, required referee test before you play-Go online to your player profile R2 & go to “courses and tests.” Find the junior Referee test & take the test prior to playing their first match. This will be a good 1st test on how you do.
5) FREE JR USAR SCHOLARSHIPS-(for graduating seniors or college only). Get a prestigious USAR scholarship and $500. A national USAR scholarship (and grades) can easily help get you into a top tier grad school. So apply asap. The Deadline is Sun-recommendations req! Contact Bob “Big Boy” Bodor at bbodor@usra.org or visit the site and pass this along to any junior players. You can be a scholar-athlete! https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Racquetball/Programs/Scholarships
6) MORE FREE WOMAN’S SCHOLARHIPS TO LPRT (from NMRA/LPRT)– Aspiring tour players 18-25 can also apply for a scholarship covering 5 events, travel etc. (Hey can I apply?) Award based on academics, rball & non-racquetball. Contact LPRT Commish Andy Kulback andy@lprtour.com 513-604-0398 or TJ Baumbaugh at tj@lprtour.com or 571-213-9265. Deadline 6-30. Apply at www.lprtour.com (kill two birds w/one stone by applying to both). This is a great service to up and coming players.
7) “GO PRO”-Team USA is going to Canada for IRF world champ 6-21 to 6-28 w/STARS & stripes-Team Members are: Rhonda “ So Sick” Rhadsich, Janel “Chanel” Tisinger, Aimee “Ritz” Ruiz, Aubrey “Krusha” Kirsch, Tom “ he can” Fuhrmann, “Big” Ben Croft, Rocky “Balboa” Carson, Jose” No Mas” (for the opponents) Rojas and coaches/trainers/support of “Captain” Cheryl Kirk, RO “KO” Carson , Dave Ellis “Island” & a famous USA team trainer Brent “No Puff” Huff. Donate, don’t wait, be great- don’t procrastinate: https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Racquetball/About/Team-USA/TEAM-USA-CHALLENGE (note, link now broken)
8) Drink Up (no not that kind)-A Nutrition Journal Study found coffee reduced aggressive prostate cancer recurrence by 59% confirming a 2011 Harvard led study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that the men who drank the most java (coffee) had a 60% lower amount of lethal prostate cancer than non-coffee drinkers for tame coffee drinker (1 -3 cups a 30 percent lower risk). I just bought Starbucks stock and a cup of coffee too-a hot venti (Bill Niles).
9) Moore for Moore & Moore in Store- Debbie Tisinger Moore won her 104th major title at Nat’ singles & better yet she also celebrated when her daughter Janel captured USA team honors victory. And better still, many “Moore” of her students won here taking top honors…But there is still “Moore” to the story. When I asked her how many titles she had won, she told me 104 to which I replied, “You don’t look it.” (Ok Brett back to rball).
10) Funny Story- My son was at UCLA practicing one day, decked out in Team Ektelon clothes (as required-yes he looked “flaming“) when a nice man comes over & politely says, “You should consider playing in tourneys!” Quite shy, he just nodded.”
11) MISC. DEPT: 1) A Fund for all CA/NV. JR’s- You can help all CA/Nev kids get to play at Jr Olympics as per Brian Dixon at https://www.gofundme.com/cnrajuniors 2) Some Special People to Thank For helping Jr’s- a) Bo Keelly for coming down to nationals & giving the juniors amazing advise b) Rick Betts, Jerry Hilecher & Kevin Barlia for playing with the kids and literally “pounding” them w/wisdom.” Jerry’s a big hit c) Nancy Feramisco- the best & most accommodating director in USA d)Jack Hughes, Ryan & Usher for their help and “singing” w/rankings (Usher? Get it).
12) IS (FAUSTO) SANTANA A TRUE VISIONARY? – He wrote, “Brett, I foresee the following happening to Racquetball in the near future as it has happened in tennis, squash, etc.” Hope not my man! https://sports.yahoo.com/news/last-american-singles-player-french-151230080–ten.html
13) YES LOTS OF SUN (AND SON) IS GOOD FOR YOU (as in Pro Outdoor star Son Nyugen) – Here is a great article on why avoiding sunshine could kill you in the Drudge Report –Now there is no excuse to not try WOR outdoor racquetball and get a little tan too- https://tiny.iavian.net/2a56
14) #1 PRO COACH (& #1 GOOD GUY)-Jim Winterton rolled it out big time by helping get us a doubles partner for Cody. What a special person dear to my heart. And a special thanks to Becky/ Andrew Gleason & Jonas Beugen/Megan for hooking up with Cody. Also much thanks Jose Diaz/Ricardo & Jodi Nance for their work in partnering w/ Dane’s. You guys rock (and of course always roll).
15) ALWAYS ADD “COLLINS” TO THE MIX– John Ellis, who is one of the funniest coaches around wrote me, “Thanks brett, but we coach even more top pros than u listed last time(Yes I feel bad for the other coaches John). “Don’t forget to add Robbie Collins to the mix (the “tryin Hawaain”) and also “San” Francisco Troncoso from Chile.” A Collins toast to the Ellis’ for coaching I believe the most top 30 players in the world. Stockton is now the 21st century version of Ellis Island where everyone goes to become a top pro citizen. Do I hear some Hall of fame bells ringing in your future. Indoors John!! And last… Can’t wait for outdoor champs. Best tournament in the world…(see below July 10-14 Huntington Beach- “The greatest show on earth!”
CLIFF’S NOTES-A new feature is here-I get to pose a question to the famous, past #1 pro legend Cliff Swain which is answered on his site. According to Mike Ladge, Cliff’s site gets about 5000 visitors a month so check it out at www.CliffSwain.com under “Q & A June 4.” It’s a big hit for sure.
Some Racquetball Jobs (are u kidding me!!) at LIFETIME FITNESS-Texas Colorado or Minnesota: As a part-time (8-12 hours per week) Racquetball Coordinator, you will grow the racquetball membership and provide outstanding customer service to all members. Promote, sell and organize all racquetball club
programs and deliver the Life Time Fitness brand of racquetball experience with the support of the Activity Center staff. Contact John Wilinski at jwilinski@lifetimefitness.com for more information. Free membership, compensation and sponsorship.
Fun upcoming events
1) M OR WED-ONGOING LEAGUES-360 Club Reseda-CA -Mon-Rotating dubs 6 pm, Wed B/C email Debbie Tisinger Moore at: rbjaws@gmail.com
2) TUES or THURS ONGOING DRILL CLASSES-TUES: 7 PM-SIMI VLY CA or THURS : 6:30 pm 360 LEAGUES RESEDA CA-All skill levels rbjaws@gmail.com $50 for 4 or $15 per. Tisinger Moore at: rbjaws@gmail.com
3) SAT JUNE-14 SODA MAN SHOOTOUT STRATOSPHERE LAS VEGAS: contact randy Lam jlam@socal.rr.com https://www.r2sports.com/website/event-hotel.asp?TID=12629
4) SAT JUNE 14 WOR OUTDOOR SACRAMENTO BEAT THE HEAT-Florin High School – Bill George Billgeo@georgetec.com https://www.r2sports.com/tourney.asp?TID=12269
5) SAT/SUN 6-21 to 6-22MODESTO-Graffiti Nights Doubles Shootout- In Shape Club https://www.r2sports.com/website/event-website.asp?TID=12780
6) SAT 6-21 SIMI VALLEY CA “The Ripper” Doubles Shootout- at Oakridge Athletic Club C thru Elites. Low cost high rewards… Let it rip Debbie Tisinger Moore at: rbjaws@gmail.com
7) SAT 6-28 ARCADIA CA SHOOTOUT SINGLES DUBS- great time and very popular. Contact Wes Obana (aka Prez Obama) at wesobanoa@gmail.com 310 9802894 cell/text
8) SAT 6-28 WALNUT CREEK SHOOTOUT FOR PATRIOTS- Help a fundraiser for military familes. https://www.r2sports.com/tourney.asp?TID=12813
9) WED-SUN JUNE 25-29 JR OLYMPICS HIGHLAND RANCH CO- All ages and skills. Contact Dr Hiser jhiser@usra.org https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=11902
10) SAT JUNE 28 WALNUT CREEK CA MRF MILITARY FUNDRAISER SHOOUTOUT-Renaissance Club Sport’s 2805 Jones Road Steve Cook 209-329-3291 Margaret Pederson 510-386-4743
11) TH-SUN 7-10 to 7-14 WOR OUTDOOR 3 WALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS HUNT BEACH CA- https://www.r2sports.com/website/event-website.asp?TID=12402 Geoff Osberg (gosberg@sbcglobal.net) Marina Park
12) TH-SUN JULY 16-19 NMRA INT’L (SENIORS CHAMPS )-Raleigh NC. Great Event Tom Curran & Jim Elliott
tom1947@aol.com 513-490-7472 https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=11848
13) TH-SUN 7-24 to 7 27 PRA All-In-One Racquetball Camp In-Shape: West Lane Stockton https://www.r2sports.com/website/event-website.asp?TID=12779JULY ELITE CAMP
14) Th-M 7-24 to 7-28 WINTERTON’S ELITE ADULT/JR ELITE CAMP-Denver -The oldest/most famous camp from #1 pro coach legendary Jim Winterton: https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=12428
15) SAT-SUN 8-2/3 WOR BATTLE OF THE BORDERS SAN MARCOS/SD CA OUTDOOR –Roby P – Jr events are FREE (Class guy that Roby)…Dubs sat singles Sun. Free Pro jr clinic Daniel De La Rosa Sunday Oh yes. Roby@wwrba.com
Roby -760 705 0464 https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=12127
16) SAT AUG 9 LAS VEGAS SODA MAN OUTDOOR SHOOTOUT STRATOSPHERE HOTEL: Take your game to “new heights.” Must sign up in advance to advance. https://www.r2sports.com/website/event-hotel.asp?TID=12630
Very sincerely yours,
Brett Elkins,
Chairman, WORHOF Outdoor Rball Hall of Fame; CNRA Junior Committee Member; Team Ektelon Sponsored Player/Writer (and not quite sure why!)
