May - June 1998
Vol. 9, No. 3

Over the Memorial Day weekend, 800-1,000 racquetball fanatics will converge on the Downtown Houston YMCA in search of an elusive national title. From my experience in having played from the ‘83 Nationals to present day, the most important advice I can give is to make sure you show up in top condition. The humid Texas weather and the fast concrete courts make for some very physical racquetball. Tune up your serve-and-shoot game a notch and let it all hang in Houston. If you don’t, you’ll have all summer to think about it.

THE INSIDE LINE ON HOUSTON: O'Neil's top picks in "the Finals"
Men | Women
Long Shots

The Open division U.S. Team qualifiers will be “big money” this year too, since they’ll be the final cuts for the squad that will travel to Bolivia for the World Championships in July. The top-three singles finishers will have first shot at the World Team in singles, and the mens open draw looks wide open with about 10 players claiming good odds. But as we all well know, the ball can take some crazy bounces!

Top Contenders

5-1 Defending Champion Dan Obremski. As a finalist in ‘85 — where he lost to “Mr. Forehand” Ed Andrews — Dan was known simply as the super retriever. Now a crafty veteran with almost a decade of IRT experience, Dan “O” has a great drive serve and covers the court like a cheetah. With a demanding “day job” with FOX sports in Pittsburgh and full-time dad duties, Dan comes into this event with very little playing or practice time. Can he do it again?

7-2 ‘97 Runner-Up Michael Bronfeld. A Carmel, Calif., native, the “Bronzer” has won four national titles in the past decade at the Houston YMCA (19+ in ‘87 & ‘88; open in ‘94 & ‘95). Michael feels right at home at the Y; he and his family have been coming here for many years. He just missed another title last year, finishing second to Obremski. Michael’s strengths are his quick hands and feet which make him a master at the re-kill.

7-2 Kelly Gelhaus. Oh Kelly, can’t you see the way your serve just hypnotizes me? This righty from Riverside, Calif., can really crank it up. If he has a hot week serving and keeps his head in the game, he will win the tournament. A regular on the IRT, Kelly has added a little speed to an already complete game. Best finish was third in ‘96.

7-2 Ruben Gonzalez. Now 46? This guy is a legend! National champ in ‘96 and third in ‘97, Ruben just keeps on baffling the critics. The cagey veteran can never ever be counted out. In ‘96 he won five tiebreakers enroute to the title – two were 11-10. Can he stay healthy? A master with the mental game of a possum. He acts like he has given up then, bam! . . . he beats you. Best shot: splats off the back wall.

7-2 Adam Karp. Fresh Fish!! Adam has been a consistent quarterfinalist this year on the IRT. The fastest player in the tournament, Adam has some serious “gitty-up.” His best finish was third in ‘97. Bill Sell and Karp, the current National Doubles champs, will make the trip to Bolivia regardless of Adam’s finish here. This will allow him to play loose. Bottom line: a loose fish is hard to catch.

7-2 Eric Muller. U.S. Open quarterfinalist and 1997 Tournament of Americans champion, Eric will be a force to be reckoned with. Muller is armed with quick hands and a solid all-around game. He has really matured in the last couple of years. Best finish was in the quarters in ‘95.

7-2 Derek Robinson. With an upset victory over Sudsy Monchik this year on the pro tour, the big guy from Kennewick, Wash., proved once again he can shoot with anyone. Derek’s best assets are a strong serve, great short-hop service return and long reach. Best finish was third in 96.

The Field

At 8-1 ... Doug Eagle: Darkhorse Doug has played the full IRT schedule this year. He has played Cliff Swain and Monchik tough. A strong and fierce competitor, Eagle can beat anyone here. Best finish was in the round of 16 in ‘97. James Mulcock: Another staple on the IRT, Mulcock has a great return of serve game from playing with Louis Vogel. Best finish was in the quarters in ‘97. Todd O’Neil: Finalist in ‘96 . . . missed ‘97 due to injury. This ‘96 World Singles Champion could be “PHAT” in this tourney ... or just fat. Chris Cole: Former national champion, can “Cringle” hit some cracks like he did in ‘92? Solid all-around game.

At 10-1 ... Chris Wright: Chris who? Chris has consistently snuck into Houston and served his way past some of the top players. Jason Thoerner: Fifth place in ‘97. Jason is very quick, talented and could surprise people. Rocky Carson: The latest addition to the U.S. Team for his recent intercollegiate title, Carson is a great talent and could beat anyone. Best finish was the 32’s in ‘97.

Ladies Lineup
The womens draw looks like a one-horse race. But if you follow sport and racquetball like I have, you know that almost anything can and will happen. If anyone plans on pulling off the upset win in this event they must have a career tournament. Holyfield beat Tyson twice and don’t forget Namath and the Jets. We all know who will be seeded first. It will be interesting to see who battles their way through to the finals. Here is the Vegas line on the women.

1-10 Defending Champion Michelle Gould. Michelle Gould has won the Women’s Open national title a record 7 out of the last 8 years. The last time she lost at this event was to Robin Levine in 1994. “Boomer” has a great serve-and-shoot game that has kept the ladies on their heels for almost a decade. The best of all time! She will be tough to beat on the Houston concrete.

10-1 ‘97 Runner-Up Cheryl Gudinas. Silver medalist in ‘96 and ‘97, Cheryl had to think “what is it going to take to beat Michelle?” every time she stepped on the court. She steadily climbed the ranks to reach the #2 spot, but has now slipped to #3 on the WIRT tour behind Jackie Paraiso. She has a complete game, but will need to have a career-best service return – and then some – to beat Michelle.

10-1 Jackie Paraiso. Current U.S. Open finalist and bronze medalist in Houston last year, Jackie is the most recent player to trouble Michelle. Jackie mixes her pinches and passes well which keeps her opponents off balance. Mentally tough, Jackie has never been one to shy away from competition. Win, lose, or draw, Jackie and her sister Joy will make the trip to Bolivia to play doubles for the U.S. team.

11-1 Laura Fenton. A semi-finalist in 1997, Laura has a solid all-around game with a smooth swing, and will definitely be a factor this week. She was blown out 1,3 by Gould in last year’s semi-final, but she’s a fierce competitor, who should be motivated to make a better showing this year.

12-1 Malia Bailey. A finalist in ‘82 and ‘95, Malia is to be commended on her longevity. She’s a crafty veteran and has been solidly placed at the top of the women’s game as long as anyone. A control player with a strong re-kill game, Malia seems to always have a smile on her face.

13-1 Kersten Hallander. Broke into the top eight last year, then reached the finals at National Doubles to grab a spot on the U.S. Team. She’s been holding the #1 ranking position in Women’s Open since last summer and could be ready to play “above and beyond.”

17-1 Yesenia Delbusto. Won the Women’s A division at singles last year, then teamed with Hallander in doubles, where the two stunned defending champions Gould & Gudinas by handing them an upset defeat in the round of 16! This new U.S. Team member comes to Houston with a Women’s Open qualifier title under her belt, from a tough region. Has been known to shoot the eyes out of the ball from back court and has got nothing to lose.

Just Maybe ...

1996 World Champion and author Todd O'Neil began “setting the line” at last year’s U.S. OPEN, after claiming that he’d never won a bet in his life!

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