USA DAILY PAN AMERICAN GAMES

USA DAILY - RACQUETBALL

The U.S. racquetball team will kick off Pan American Games competition Monday (Oct. 17) at the Revolucion Sports Complex in Guadalajara  with very high expectations. Led by Rhonda Rajsich (Phoenix,
Ariz.), the No. 1 ranked player on the women’s professional tour, and Rocky Carson (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) current world No. 2 and defending world champion, Team USA is favored to win gold and continue a history of Pan Am Games success.

Carson, fresh off a second-place finish at the U.S. Open is looking forward to the atmosphere, and the competition.“This is an exciting tournament, the biggest amateur tournament in the world and the atmosphere around the village has been great,” said Carson. “I feel very confident in my game and I know Team USA
will be very strong. You take a tournament like this one day at a time. I
know what I need to do: get on court, do my job as efficiently as possible, get off court and prepare for the next match.”
The depth of the U.S. team doesn’t end with Carson and Rajsich. Cheryln Gudinas (Naperville, Ill.) has won Pam Am Games medals in three previous appearances, including gold medals in 1999 (Winnipeg) and 2003 (Santa Domingo).  Aimee Ruiz (Allentown, Pa.), Alex Ackermann (Dallas, Texas), Chris Crowther (Riverside, Calif.) and Shane Vanderson (Tampa, Fla.), all ranked in the top-25 in their respective world rankings, round out the team.

“This U.S team is very strong,” said Jim Hiser, executive director of the U.S. Racquetball Association. “We have Rocky, our world champion, who will be the favorite and on the women’s side we have Rhonda, who is the top player on that tour. We are also really excited about our strong doubles team on both sides. The outlook is good but, as always, there are no easy matches. There is a lot of good competition, so you just can’t take anything for granted.”