WPRO Ladies Rajsich & Waselenchuk Win U.S. Team Qualifying Division

Congratulations to Kim Waselenchuk/Rhonda Rajsich who won the U.S. Team Qualifying Division at the 2012 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships presented by HEAD/Penn. Congratulations to Ben Croft and Rocky Carson on the men's side and to all the other winners and medalists

Join us for the National Singles, May 23-28, 2012 at the Meridian Sports Club in Fullerton CA.  The WPRO Ladies will be there in full force to claim their spot on U.S. Team.

Sponsorship Opportunities are available.  Contact; sponsorships@wprotour.com

  

CATCHING UP WITH DA'MONIQUE DAVIS! (WPRO #11) - 1/18/2012

The holidays are always a special time for me. I feel it’s a great way to spend more time with family as well as relax from any stressors. I took a break from racquetball and somewhat from work over the holidays to be with family and friends. I feel it re-fueled and re-charged me for the New Year and new goals. My diet however wasn't the greatest.. But hey, it's the holidays.. What do you expect!? :-)

 The second half of the season is looking great! There are 6 stops left for me, I’m feeling healthy and eager to get on the court to learn new things and get better. I feel with each stop, I learn something new. So I fully plan on using every stop to learn as well as develop my game to a higher level.

It's tough to work and play racquetball. As a nurse, I'm fortunate to only working 3 days a week.. However those 12-15 hour shifts are very stressful and my days are especially tough when I wake up 2 hours before to get a workout in, but I've made it work the past year as long as I get enough sleep, eat right, and balance my days and nights I can accomplish doing both.

Goals for the next half of the year are to improve my speed and footwork, improve my mental game and to play hard at every stop. I'd like to make a semi-final this year (something I’ve never done). So I know I need to kick my game and training up a notch to do so. These female athletes are the best in the world and know how to ball! All I want to do is be able to give them a great match to remember.

Sarah Warhaftig - WPRO Media Director

Featured Athlete Susy Acosta

The Cake Boss

By:  Sarah Warhaftig

Susy Acosta admits to having a sweet tooth.  When the lefty out of Mexico isn't battling it out on the courts, she is creating some beautiful and tasty cakes for weddings, Quinceaneras (the Mexican culture's version of a Sweet 16), and special occasions-including her own wedding.  Acosta has always enjoyed baking and said, "Well truthfully I enjoy eating my creations even more!" While she has always enjoyed baking, she discovered her creative abilities and decided to create a business, which she still runs today. 

Susy, who has received the nickname "superwoman" for her fearless attitude, has had a successful 2011-2012 season. With already a semi-final appearance in Olympia under her belt, Acosta continues her charge up the rankings on the WPRO.

According to Acosta, though, her greatest feelings of success and accomplishment come from playing for her home country of Mexico.  She feels blessed and proud to have sung the national anthem already a handful of times in her career.  Her proudest moment came in 2003 at the Pan American games, where she and her partner, Rosy Torres, won gold.  Her motivation to win a pro title is still pushing her to train and compete, and it makes hitting the courts everyday so much easier. 

Acosta balances court time with weights, speed training, and her new yoga workout-though she admits to being a total beginner!  Traveling and competing can be exhausting, but Acosta still manages to balance her court time with her other passions while resting in the hotel room.  Just ask her WPRO roommates. Thanks to them, they can tell you when all the reality cooking shows are on. 

When asked about the new look of the tour, Acosta says, "I am really excited and I truly believe this is a new era for our tour."  The media and connection to the world is new and exciting, and Acosta believes this is just the beginning of new and great things.      

An exciting player to watch on the courts, Susy looks forward to many more years of successful racquetball, and ultimately, a pro title would be her "icing on the cake."

Cakes designed by Susy:  

For Immediate Release ~ New Year’s Resolution

The week right after New Year’s is always filled with post-holiday blues, large credit card bills, extra pounds and back to work for many!  One group of working professionals though is eager to get back to work on the courts!   The WPRO professionals will kick off the 2012 second half of the season and team up with the IRT to compete in the Coast to Coast California Open in Canoga Park, California.

Canoga Park and the Spectrum Club will host both the best men and women in the game and crown the first champions of the 2012 year!  Event director Debbie Tisinger-Moore will bring back the tours for another year, to one of the nicest and largest racquetball facilities in the country.  It’s a spectators dream to have both tours in town, with a stacked amateur draw to compliment the pro players. 

As many of us enjoyed time with family and festivities, many pro players took the few weeks off to recover and regroup.  Don’t be surprised if it was short lived for many, as the second half of the season is always critical for rankings and the push to end the season at the top.  Improvements in games, conditioning and strategy were on the front burner for the ladies coming off the holiday break.   

It will be a continued battle at the top slot as Longoria continues to play solid ball, Rajsich will have her hands full to knock Longoria out of the lead.  Samantha Salas continues to steady at #3 and a strong second half season could propel her confidence as she seeks to take down the long reigns of both Rhonda and Paola.  Tour veteran Cheryl Gudinas will return to the draw after missing the Arlington stop due to surgery.  A first time semi-finalist in Arlington, Krystal Csuk will be a tough matchup, and consistent ball will keep Kerri Wachtel in the semis as well.  Young guns Cristina Amaya and Da’monique Davis continue to quest to knock off some higher seeds. 

If you are in the area and want to kick off the New Year with some great racquetball head down to the Spectrum Club, tournament information is linked below!  To a new year, a second half of what has been an exciting year, and may it keep rolling. 

http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=9125

Sarah Warhaftig

WPRO Media Director   sarah@wprotour.com

From the Ektelon Newsflash

EKTELON LADIES - WPRO MID SEASON RECAP

The WPRO is midway thru the season and it has sure been an exciting first half with our top two Ektelon pros winning each event. The season began with Rhonda Rajsich as the #1 player and now her Ektelon teammate, Paola Longoria, has taken over the position. Rhonda won the first WPRO event of the season in August, while Paola has won the next three events after that. This past weekend was the Christmas Classic in Arlington, VA and Paola and Rhonda did not disappoint.

Rhonda started off the match on fire with big drive serves, tremendous court coverage and shotmaking from all angles. She was hitting with power and confidence and was in full control of the court and the match taking a 2-0 lead in games. Paola to her credit kept fighting to stay in the match despite not playing her best racquetball and making some uncharacteristic errors, mostly due to Rhonda’s quality of play. 


Eventually, Paola battled back, managing to win games 3 & 4, taking control of momentum going into game 5. Paola took an early lead in game 5 and never looked back eventually winning the match 11-7 in yet another Longoria/Rajsich Classic Match. Both players fought tremendously hard throughout and treated the packed crowd to a great match. Congrats to Paola on winning her 3rd consecutive WPRO Pro Stop!

Ektelon is also very excited to announce the recent re-signing of Ektelon Professionals Jennifer Saunders, Keely Franks-Kennedy and Aubrey Kirch to multi-years contracts. Jen had a great showing this weekend by making it to the quarterfinals where she lost to Paola in a close four game battle. Jen is also in charge of our Ektelon display at all of our WPRO events, so if you can’t find Jen on the court you can find her at our Ektelon booth. Look for Keely and Aubrey to have great second halves of the WPRO Season.

 

Look for the second half of the WPRO Tour to be just as exciting as the first with only a few amount of points separating the difference between the #1 and #2 players in the world! Next up: Coast to Coast California Open, January 5-8, 2012 in Canoga Park, CA. Ektelon is proud to have the Ektelon Fireball as the Official Ball of the WPRO.

For more information on Ektelon "Click Here"

WPRO 20th Annual Christmas Classic

20th Annual Christmas Classic

December 9-11, 2011

Crystal Gateway Sport & Health Club

1235 South Clark Street

Arlington VA

NoVaRacquetball proudly welcomes the WPRO back to Virginia!!!

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Register Here

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge - Longoria defeats Rajsich

Paola Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich for the third time in two months to win the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington. Longoria won it in four games, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 12-10. She's won two of the three Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tournaments so far this season. Rajsich won the other.

Going into this weekend's event, Longoria was trailed Rajsich in the standings by a little over 80 points. This win may be enough to push Longoria past Rajsich into the #1 ranking that she held for two seasons after taking the top spot from Rajsich, who took it back last season.

The next WPRO event is the Christmas Classic December 8-11 in Arlington, Virginia.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Finals

Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 12-10

NEXT TOUR STOP 

ARLINGTON VA

CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

DECEMBER 9-11, 2011

Register at http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=9022 

Follow the bouncing ball....

Posted by The Racquetball Blog

Labels: WPRO

Rhonda Rajsich and the Girls just wanna have fun!...and the boys

Olympia WA, November 18, 2011 – Rhonda Rajsich shows up at Ballys, dons a two-foot tall wig and glasses, not because she wants to, but because she has too.  The Pro ladies of Racquetball (WPRO) are playing at the Puget Sound Challenge this weekend at Ballys and Rhonda showed up early for a junior clinic put on by Cheyenne Hayes.   

The WPRO is currently working with the GoGirlGo! Program to support each local community where a WPRO tour stop is scheduled.  “It’s a chance to give back to the community and the girls, showing them the diversity of our elite female athletes, hearing their stories, talk about staying fit and healthy and playing a little racquetball’, says Commissioner Rock.  It’s the least we can do.   We will also be accepting racquet donations at each of our tour stops to help build and support these upcoming athletes.

Rhonda had a blast with the girls and boys who came in for the Junior Clinic, each kid played a quick game with her and had a photo opportunity.  But, it wasn’t about how hard they could hit the ball, it was more about what kind of advantage they could get.  Each kid had the opportunity to roll the dice and see what advantage they had playing the #1 World Champion.  Rhonda donned a wig with glasses, barely being able to see at all, the wig falling down  over her eyes,  and sunglasses that could block out a nuclear explosion, or she had to play with a newspaper, and there were many strange, fun items Rhonda was forced to play with.  Each kid rolled the dice and took the advantage, what great fun and the laughter echoed throughout the gym.  

These kids showed tenacity, a great spirit and the love of racquetball…there’s a future pro among them.

Later in the evening several of the other pro ladies landed in Olympia to thank the sponsors by playing Sponsors Doubles.  Each sponsor drew from a stack of cards that had the pro they would be paired up with, what great fun.

Thank you to all the sponsors who helped bring the Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization and the Pro Ladies to Olympia, WA

About GoGirlGo!

GoGirlGo!, is an award winning curriculum and sports education program, works to improve the health of sedentary girls and to keep girls involved in physical activity by supporting programs and organizations that work with girls.

  

About the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization

The Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) is the governing body for the highest-level professional female racquetball players in the world. It is currently comprised of elite athletes representing over a dozen countries including the United States, Mexico, Chile, Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Paola Longoria Mexico's Champion

Paola Longoria Michelle Lopez

BY GUILLERMO GONZALEZ MARTINEZ

Nebraska’s Only Latino Owned Bi-lingualSpanish/English Newspaper

Paola Longoria Lopez became the golden girl of the Pan American Games to win three gold medals in racquetball individual, doubles and team. But it is also a great lover of fashion, the catwalk, for she has own brand clothing and racket. From the nine years focused on being a winner and she preferred the gold medals. 

And thanks to support from her parents, today the Queen who revels in her beauty, she sighs, which is an example to follow, and moreover, many young girls who write her letters because they want to be like her. "I think I'm the woman who pulled up for the Mexican sport, not the triumph demerits the men and my other colleagues.  It is the discipline and mindset that is the modern woman, which is what led her to the top. She made ​​history and it is the result of what she is capable of. " Longoria Lopez is simple, though now her feet have many subjects waiting only to see it up close her beautiful and elegance.

Paola, like any great athlete, has had lows and highs. But her tenacity to be the best has led her to break down the barriers that prevented her from being a winner. She struggled, as did the unicorn who every day went into the woods looking for ways to be reflected among the lights illuminating the trees until he succeeded. So Michelle sought (her middle name) leave a lasting figure in the Pan. "I am 22 years old and racquetball has left me great satisfaction. I'm still learning, and want to give my country medals this is what has motivated me to keep me going. Now it's really cool to see so many nice messages to me.

 But it is that the Federation now gets hundreds of calls to ask where you can practice this sport. That is the legacy she leaves as an athlete, "knowing that you are  a champion is the best thing that can happen. It is a difficult lifestyle, but always leaves me with an unforgettable experience." Mexico is the face of international level and it is loved by all who trusts her. "I told myself I could do it", even though she was injured. "My ankle and knee ached, but I told myself to win, and thank God we won the medals". I have a favorite phrase, which is… Let's play hard (Let's play hard).

Puget Sound Challenge ~ Women's Professional Racquetball Tour Stop

We are excited to announce that the Women’s Professional Racquetball Association (WPRO) is heading back to Washington to display some of the greatest talent in the world during the Puget Sound Challenge.

The event will be held November 17-20, 2011 here at our local Bally Total Fitness Olympia, WA. This tournament is consistently one of the most anticipated amateur events in the Northwest and has grown into one the most well-attended tournaments in the area, with first class hospitality and exposure for sponsors.  We are offering you the opportunity to showcase your company on a grand stage with the top female racquetball players in the world.

The dynamic players of the WPRO travel throughout the United States, Canada and South America, to promote health and fitness among women and youth by introducing them to the thrilling sport of racquetball and exhibiting tremendous athleticism and mental toughness at the highest level.

WPRO members earn ranking points by competing in sanctioned tour events which, combined with the prize money purse and special bonuses, provide great incentives for local amateurs to participate. Event sponsors are given primary consideration public address announcements, media and television exposure throughout the championships.

The WPRO players will be available for personal appearances, clinics, and various other public relations activities on behalf of event sponsors throughout the weekend. There will be a Sponsor Doubles round robin for the Top 8 contributors to this event where select sponsors will be paired up with pro’s for a fun evening of doubles, photo ops and networking.

During the past few years, through the efforts of many, Washington’s Women’s Racquetball has grown tremendously.  A few short years ago, there were almost no women’s divisions being held at tournaments.  Now, you can find a Women’s event going on almost every month as well many women taking the time to compete at our many local tournaments.  Never has women’s racquetball been more exciting in our area. What a great time to bring in these top professionals in the world!

We invite you to participate as a premier sponsor and we hope that you will find the necessary information regarding the Puget Sound Challenge tournament in this package.  Should you decide to support this event, you will be making an investment in the future of women’s racquetball not only in our region, but around the world.  

Sponsorship Opportunities:  sponsorships@wprotour.com

Website Sign-Up  :http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=8826

Want to go to the US Open?  Sit  with the Commissioner in the VIP Box, take photos with the lady pros and so much more?...make sure you're signed up on the Blog and watch for details?

FROM THE US OPEN PAGE:
The move to Minneapolis in 2010 was nothing short of a HOME RUN!  If you did not attend last year I am sure you heard the buzz—-the tournament was AWESOME!!  In addition to a huge turnout of players and fans the real story was the incredible downtown entertainment district in Minneapolis.  Hotels, restaurants, night clubs, world class shopping, and the gorgeous Target Center combined to provide a backdrop for non-stop fun!

Information will be released on Monday, September 5...

US OPEN 

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