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Twenty Members of the Louisiana Racquetball
Association packed their bags and headed over to the Downtown
YMCA in Houston, TX to participate in the 2001 USRA Ektelon
National Singles Racquetball Championships from May 23 - 28,
2001. Down by only one member form last year=s
turnout, Team Louisiana once again showed all others who
attended just how great we enjoy this sport not only as
players but also as team supporters. And this year seven
members, up by two from last year, were able to advance to
the medals rounds.
Literally while the
USRA and YMCA staff were taking down the booths assembled and
pulling up the carpet laid for the event, Kipp Atwell from
Denham Springs, LA was defeating Alok Metha of Wellesley, MA
10-15, 15-1, 11-8 to be crowned National Champion in the Men=s
30+ A/B Division. After playing poorly in the first game,
Kipp regained his form for game two and obliterated his
opponent with his power serves and YES quick feet. But in the
beginning of the tiebreaker the Kipp from game one decided to
return. Down 3-7, a couple aces and a few quick kill shots
later, Kipp tied the game up and from there he controlled the
remainder of the match to bring home the Gold.
LRA=s
President Al Schof from Baton Rouge, LA power served and
played his way to the finals of the Men=s 25+ A/B
Division. In the Final Ivan Perry of Narberth, PA ended Al=s
title hopes by defeating him 15-4, 15-10. But Al did not have
time to grieve because Momma Schof, Pattie Schof that is, was
placed on the same court after his match for her 50+ A/B
Division match. Al and friends watched as Pattie controlled
the match completely to defeat Sharon Brockbank of Boise, ID
15-8, 15-6 to earn a Silver Medal in the division. Pattie=s
lone defeat in this round robin play was against Sharon
Huczek (Men=s Open Champion=s(Jack)
Mom) of Rochester, MI. Pattie also received a Semi Finalist
Medal for the Women=s 45+ A/B
Division.
Other top finishers
and earning semi-finalist medals were Richard Campbell of New
Orleans in Men=s 25+ C/D,
Warren Reuther of New Orleans in Men=s 60+
Open, Sister Bonnie Koehne of Lake Charles, LA in Women=s
D, and Ray Ronquillo of Harvey, LA in Men=s
60+ A/B. Making it to the Quarterfinal in their Divisions
were Junior and First Timer at National Brady Hernandez of
Harvey, LA in Men=s B, Bob
Baudry of Baton Rouge, LA in 65+ Open, Gene Ferris of
Slidell, LA in Men=s 60+ A/B,
Beth Rist, of Lake Charles, LA in Women=s B,
Larry Sharpe of Lake Charles, LA in Men=s 40+ A/B,
Al Schof of Baton Rouge, LA in Men=s 30+ A/B,
Rob Zomara of Fort Polk, LA in Men=s 30+ A/B,
and Anthony P Zeringue of River Ridge, LA in Men=s
35+ C/D.
Let us not forgot
our friends from next door of the Mississippi Racquetball
Association (MRA). Congratulations to LRA=s
long time friend and tournament participant Bobby AAction@
Jackson of Ridgeland, MS who after thirteen years won his
first National Championship by defeating Angelo Perilli of
Boothwyn, PA 12-15, 15-10, 11-9 in Men=s 35+ A/B
Division. In just her second racquetball tournament ever, Sue
Hunt of Starkville, MS defeated Karen Marzano of Glendale
Heights, IL 14-15, 15-14, 11-4 for Women=s C
National Title.
Listed below are the
other LRA Members that participated in the 2001 Finals:
| John
Davis (Lake Charles, LA) Jerry Buchanan(Fort Polk, LA) Charles Lee (Baton Rouge, LA) |
Terry
Lambright (Leesville, LA) Clarence Simmons (Harvey, LA) Terrance Pierce (New Orleans, LA) |
Congratulations to all!!!!
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