2000 Ektelon USRA 33rd
National Singles Championships

Downtown Houston YMCA
Houston, Texas: May 24-29

finals & finishers

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Carson, Gudinas Win National Titles

The U.S. Racquetball Association's 33rd Ektelon U.S. National Singles Championships presented by Penn Racquet Sports wrapped up today at the Downtown Houston YMCA with Rocky Carson (Santa Maria, Calif.) and Cheryl Gudinas (Chicago) winning the men's and women's Open division titles.

Today's finals win over Jackie Paraiso (El Cajon, Calif.) gave Gudinas her second-straight national singles title. Gudinas jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first game before Paraiso managed to pick up some points to tighten the match slightly at 6-3. However, Gudinas went on to score eight unanswered points to lead 14-3, but the final point to end the game eluded her for several rallies. Paraiso jumped back into the game to make it 14-7 before Gudinas finally finished off game one, 15-7.

The momentum of Paraiso's late game-one rally carried over into the second game as she jumped to a 4-0 lead. But Gudinas came back to tie the game at 4-4. The two kept the game close, exchanging the lead six times before they tied at 11-11. Gudinas then hit a hot streak and got to match point at 14-11. Paraiso once again mustered a late-game rally to move within one point at 14-13 before Gudinas put away the match, 15-13.

The win marks an end to a prosperous season for Gudinas. After winning the last year's national singles title, she went on to capture the gold medal at the 1999 Pan American Games in Canada. She now has her sights set on continuing her golden streak at the 2000 World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico in August.

Rocky Carson won his first-ever men's Open title today with a two-game victory over hometown-favorite Doug Eagle (Houston). Carson dominated the first game, leading throughout the entire game for a 15-7 win. Eagle managed to take an early 4-2 lead, but Carson quickly crushed when he ran up 12 unanswered points to lead 14-4. As in the women's finals, the match-winning point eluded Carson for several rallies, allowing Eagle to make a late push. After four attempts at match-point, Carson final managed to put the match away for a 15-7 victory.

Carson is the seventh-ranked player on the men's International Racquetball Tour. This marks his first national title since he won the U.S. National Intercollegiate Championships in 1998, which qualified him for his first stint on the U.S. National Team. After a bronze medal at the '98 World Championships, Carson hopes for a gold at this year's championships.

final matches

OPEN DIVISION CHAMPIONS
Men's OPEN -- #6 Rocky Carson (Santa Maria, Calif.) def. #8 Doug Eagle (Houston, Texas) 15-7, 15-7
Women's OPEN -- #1 Cheryl Gudinas (Chicago, Ill.) def. #3 Jackie Paraiso (San Diego, Calif.) 15-7, 15-13

MEN'S OPEN AGE DIVISIONS: Men's 24- -- Alvaro Beltran (Mexico) def. Javier Moreno (Memphis, Tenn.) 15-1, 15-4; Men's 25+ -- Mike Dennison (Twinsburg, Ohio) def. Tom Fuhrmann (Wichita Falls, Texas) 12-15, 15-13, 11-6; Men's 30+ -- Kevin Graham (Madison, Wis.) def. Jim Minkel (Houston, Texas) 15-4, 13-15, 11-8; Men's 35+ -- Armando Alonso (Winter Springs, Fla.) def. Lance Gilliam (San Antonio, Texas) 15-7, 15-13; Men's 40+ -- Tim Hansen (Boynton Beach, Fla.) def. Noel DeLaRosa (Austin, Texas) 15-9, 15-3; Men's 45+ -- Ruben Gonzalez (Staten Island, N.Y.) def. Tom Travers (Westlake, Ohio) 15-10, 15-7; Men's 50+ -- Mitt Layton (Jacksonville, Fla.) def. Ed Remen (Apex, N.C.) 15-9, 13-15, 11-4; Men's 55+ -- Ron Galbreath (New Wilmington, Pa.) def. Roger Wehrle (Flowery Branch, Ga.) 4-15, 15-8, 11-7; Men's 60+ -- Bobby Sanders (Cleveland, Ohio) def. Jim Wilking (Salt Lake City, Utah) 14-15, 15-6, 11-9; Men's 65+ -- Otis Chapman (Cleveland, Ohio) def. Don Alt (Ft. Myers, Fla.) 2-15, 15-7, 11-8; Men's 70+ -- Joe Lambert (Dallas, Texas) def. Barney Friesth (Sioux Falls, S.D.) 15-10, 9-15, 11-0; Men's 75+ -- Earl Acuff (Asheville, N.C.) def. Bernard Sand (Waterloo, Iowa) 15-6, 15-7; Men's 80+ -- Earl Acuff (Asheville, N.C.) def. Cam Snowberger (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) 3-15, 15-2, 11-2; Men's 85+ -- Harry Steinman (Baltimore, Md.) unchallenged.

MEN'S SKILL & AGE+SKILL DIVISIONS: Men's Elite -- Alvaro Beltran (Mexico) def. Mitch Williams (Washington, N.C.) by default; Men's A -- Steve Tillotson (El Cajon, Calif.) def. Brian Stone (Atlanta, Ga.) 15-13, 15-10; Men's B -- Michael Wang (Plano, Texas) def. James "Batman" Russell (Chuluota, Fla.) 14-15, 15-11, 11-7; Men's C -- Chris Coy (Elk City, Okla.) def. Jim Zimmerer (Hamilton, Ohio) 15-14, 8-15, 11-0; Men's D -- Jeff Bell (Bridgeport, Conn.) vs. Ken Newberry (Dallas, Texas) 15-7, 15-6; M24- A/B -- Scott Makosiej (Pembroke, N.H.) def. Cesar Castro (Houston, Texas) 15-7, 15-10; M24- C/D -- Chris Coy (Elk City, Okla.) def. Christopher Winter (Zoar, Ohio) 15-5, 15-8; M25+ A/B -- Eric Jubin (Stafford, Texas) def. Ryan John (Canton, Ohio) 15-9, 13-15, 11-8; M25/30+ C/D -- Cesar Jimenez (Houston, Texas) def. Billy Ray (Clovis, N.M.) 15-1, 15-12; M30+ A/B -- Mike Nolan (Magnolia, Texas) def. Livingston Denegre-Vaught (Kingwood, Texas) 13-15, 15-14, 11-2; M35+ A/B -- Edwardo Munoz (Pflugerville, Texas) def. Camilo Orellana (Houston, Texas) 15-7, 10-15, 11-4; M35+ C/D -- Philip Suarez (Victoria, Texas) def. Douglas Edwards (Corpus Christi, Texas) 15-8, 15-3; M40+ A/B -- Clinton Allen (Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio) def. Ron Fowler (Lithona, Ga. ) by default; M40+ C/D -- Paul Gomberg (Houston, Texas) def. Jim Zimmerer (Hamilton, Ohio) 15-4, 15-10; M45+ A/B -- Bob Talley (Niceville, Fla.) def. Robert Frazier (Toney, Ala.) 15-11, 15-7; M45+ C/D -- Randy Williams (Kingwood, Texas) def. Marc Scher (Katy, Texas) 15-7, 7-15, 11-1; M50+ A/B -- David Gross (Sioux Falls, S.D.) vs. Jon Wuerffel (Destin, Fla.) 10-15, 15-7, 11-9; M50+ C/D -- Garry Carter (Napa, Calif.) def. Jerry Williams (Beaumont, Texas) 12-15, 15-12, 11-8; M55+ A/B -- Ronald Yonkee (Roselle, Ill.) def. Fred Roe (Santa Monica, Calif.) 15-6, 15-1; M60+ A/B -- Grant Morrill (Middletown, Pa.) def. Bob Baudry (Baton Rouge, La.) 10-15, 8-15, 11-8; M55/65+ C/D -- Steven Lavorgna (Wayne, N.J.) def. Ronald McElwee (Huntsville, Ala.) 5-15, 15-12, 11-2.

WOMEN'S OPEN AGE DIVISIONS: Women's 24- -- Rhonda Rajsich (Phoenix, Ariz.) def. Brooke Crawford (Klamath Falls, Ore.) 12-15, 15-11, 11-5; Women's 25+ -- Kerri Stoffregen (Cincinnati, Ohio) def. Johanna Shattuck (Denver, Colo.) 12-15, 15-9, 11-3; Women's 30+ -- Michelle Lucas (Annandale, Va.) def. Doreen Fowler (Rockville, Md.) 15-8, 15-13; Women's 35+ -- Kersten Hallander (San Diego, Calif.) def. Anita Maldonado (Bronx, N.Y.) 15-0, 15-14; Women's 40+ -- Malia Bailey (Norfolk, Va.) def. Debra Tisinger (Canoga Park, Calif.) 15-11, 15-10; Women's 45+ -- Susan Pfahler (Neptune Beach, Fla.) def. Meena Evans (Advance, N.C.) 15-11, 13-15, 11-1; Women's 50+ -- Agatha Falso (Boca Raton, Fla.) def. Terry Rogers (San Mateo, Calif.) 15-12, 15-11 Women's 55+ -- Gerri Stoffregen (Cincinnati, Ohio) def. Agatha Falso (Boca Raton, Fla.) 15-2, 15-11; Women's 60+ -- Jo Kenyon (Tallahassee, Fla.) def. Sylvia Sawyer (Orem, Utah) 15-2, 15-6; Women's 65+ -- Jo Kenyon (Tallahassee, Fla.) unchallenged; W70 & 75+ -- Mary Low Acuff (Asheville, N.C.) def. Christine Stephens (Lumberton, Texas) 15-0, 15-0; Women's 80+ -- Mary Low Acuff (Asheville, N.C.) unchallenged.

WOMEN'S SKILL & AGE+SKILL DIVISIONS: Women's Elite -- Susan Acosta (Mexico) def. Adrienne Fisher (Centerville, Ohio) 7-15, 15-9, 11-5; Women's A -- Isabel Nagelin (Manassas, Va.) def. T.J. Baumbaugh (Rockville, Md.) 15-11, 15-8; Women's B -- Valerie Willis (Raleigh, N.C.) def. Cheryl Kirk (Naperville, Ill.) 15-5, 15-7; Women's C -- Rosie Gonzalez (Corpus Christi, Texas) def. Pamela Trent (Baltimore, Md.) 15-11, 15-1; Women's D -- Ramona Vonondarza (Boca Raton, Fla.) def. Chieko Mineo (Dallas, Texas) 15-6, 15-2; W24-/25+ A/B -- T.J. Baumbaugh (Rockville, Md.) def. Esther McNany (Gales Ferry, Conn.) 15-9, 14-15, 11-9; W24-/25+ C/D -- Denielle Mathieu (Frankfield, Mo.) def. Ramona Vonondarza (Boca Raton, Fla.) 15-14, 7-15, 11-6; W30+ A/B -- Catherine Land (Winterville, N.C.) def. Lia Sullins (Houston, Texas) 15-9, 15-7; W35+ A/B -- Ann Doucette (Berwick, Maine) def. Kelly Goddard (Prince George, Va.) 9-15, 15-14, 11-10; W30/35 C/D -- Caron Chung (Chester, Va.) def. Joanna Reyes (Corpus Christie, Texas) 11-15, 15-13, 11-10; W40+ A/B -- Isabel Nagelin (Manassas, Va.) def. Sharon Barrett (Watauga, Texas) 15-0, 15-10; W45+ A/B -- Sharon Barrett (Watauga, Texas) def. Donna Cooper (Ft. Worth, Texas) 14-15, 15-6, 11-5; W40/45+ C/D -- Rosie Gonzalez (Corpus Christi, Texas) def. Cherie Evans (Bothell, Wash.) 15-5, 6-15, 11-9; W50+ A/B -- Cookie Wachtel (Massillon, Ohio) def. Patricia Schof (Kenner, La.) 15-9, 11-15, 11-1; W55/60+ A/B -- CeCe Palaski (Venice, Calif.) def. Sylvia Sawyer (Orem, Utah) 15-7, 15-10

top finishers

Men's OPEN	
Rocky Carson (Calif.)
Doug Eagle (Texas)
Jack Huczek
Dan Fowler
Adam Karp
Jimmy Lowe
Brian Fredenberg
Michael Bronfeld

Men's Elite	
Alvaro Beltran (Mexico)
Mitch Williams (N.C.)
(s) Eric Lackscheide
(s) Javier Moreno
Rob DeJesus
David Ghio
Jorge Hirsekorn
Ralf Reinhardt

Men's 24-	
Alvaro Beltran (Mexico)
Javier Moreno (Tenn.)
Mitch Williams
Richard Ross
Jack Huczek
Shane Vanderson
Kyle Veenstra
Jeffrey Garner

Men's 25+	
Mike Dennison (Ohio) 
Tom Fuhrmann (Texas)
Brian Fredenberg
Rob DeJesus
Jamal Harris
Brian Pointelin
David Ghio
Alvaro Maldonado 

Men's 30+	
Kevin Graham (Wis.)
Jim Minkel (Texas)
Donald Costleigh
Thomas Delle Donne
David Watson
Richard Baer
Rick Ferrin
John Davis

Men's 35+	
Armando Alonso (Fla.) 
Lance Gilliam (Texas)
Dave Eagle
David Watson
Ed Davidson
David Negrete
Gregg Peck
Rick Ferrin 

Men's 40+	
Tim Hansen (Fla.)
Noel DeLaRosa (Texas)
Greg Hodges
Miguel Cruz
Tom Travers
Bobby Haab
Gary Tanko
Ivan Sanchez

Men's 45+	
Ruben Gonzalez (N.Y.)
Tom Travers (Ohio) 
Jim Luzar
Mitt Layton
Keith Eksuzian
John Lochridge
Ed Garabedian
Mark Baron

Men's 50+	
Mitt Layton (Fla.) 
Ed Remen (N.C.)
Bill Welaj
Russ Mannino
Don Scales
Bill Wolfe
Horace Miller
Bert Castelanelli 

Men's 55+	
Ron Galbreath (Pa.)
Roger Wehrle (Ga.)
Tom McKie
Horace Miller
Ronald Yonkee
Leland Rients
Ray Huss
Warren Reuther
 
Men's 60+	
Bobby Sanders (Ohio)
Jim Wilking (Utah)
Jim McPherson
Joseph Capozzoli
Leland Rients
N Hutcherson
George Steiner
David Jordan

Men's 65+	
Otis Chapman (Ohio)
Don Alt (Fla.)
Kenneth Moore
Jerry Holly
Bob Baudry
Jim Railey
Ronald McElwee
Sheldon Nadelman 

Men's 70+	
Joe Lambert (Texas)
Barney Friesth (S.D.)
John O'Donnell
Duane Smith 

Men's 75+	
Earl Acuff (N.C.)
Bernard Sand (Iowa)
J.W. Studak
Nick Sans
Robert McAdam

Men's 80+	
Earl Acuff (N.C.)
Cam Snowberger (S.C.)
Ben Marshall
Harry Steinman

Men's 85+	
Harry Steinman (Md.) 

Men's A	
Steve Tillotson (Calif.)
Brian Stone (Ga.) 
Jody Morris
David Barnes
Livingston Denegre-Vaught
Bill Degregorio
Dave Bartscher
Wayne Gonsalves

Men's B	
Michael Wang (Texas)
James Russell (Fla.) 
Cesar Castro
John Dill
Elliott Mistich
Vance Marbury
Eddie Perez
Craig Sparks

Men's C	
Chris Coy (Okla.)
Jim Zimmerer (Ohio)
Cesar Jimenez
Melvin Todd
David Hernandez
Jerry Buchanan
Sriman Chennareddy
Chris Scott
 
Men's D	
Jeff Bell (Conn.)
Ken Newberry (Texas)
Bryan Shaw 
Joe DeRoche
Robert Villanueva
Barry Gribble
Joseph Sanders
Jawad Mahmood

M24- A/B	
Scott Makosiej (N.H.)
Cesar Castro (Texas) 
Marcelo Lapera
Jose Rached
Mike Miles
Brandon Cortese
Miguel Escobedo
Brandon Burgess

M24- C/D	
Chris Coy (Okla.)
Christopher Winter (Ohio) 
Amarinder Bedi
Kris Robinson
Bryan Shaw
Sid Harshavat
Brian Arnett
Mike Gaffney

M25+ A/B	
Eric Jubin (Texas)
Ryan John (Ohio)
Arturo Burreuel
Brian Stone
Kevin Murphy
Eddie Pavloski
Derek Izzi
Al Schof 

M25-30+ C/D	
Cesar Jimenez (Texas) 
Billy Ray (N.M.)
Merle Walker
Jerry Buchanan
Clay Coldwell
Twayne Howard
Grant Macuba
Emmanuel Drege 

M30+ A/B	
Mike Nolan (Texas) 
Livingston Denegre-Vaught (Texas)
Cary Slade
Dale Durboraw
Glen Childers
Marcus Riggins
Chris Baker
Jeffery Waters 

M35+ A/B	
Edwardo Munoz (Texas)
Camilo Orellana (Texas)
Dave Peterson
Carlos Cuadri
Jeffery Waters
Clinton Allen
Claude Crocker
Robert Merriam 

M35+ C/D	
Philip Suarez (Texas)
Douglas Edwards (Texas)
Jeff Bell
Cruz Jimenez
Anthony Zeringue
Felix Ruiz
Dave Slama
Rudy Herrera 

M40+ A/B	
Clinton Allen (Ohio)
Ron Fowler (Ga.)
Claude Crocker
Larry Sharpe
Edward Barlow
Ruben Raitarski
Lewis Forrest
Howard Thornton 

M40+ C/D	
Paul Gomberg (Texas)
Jim Zimmerer (Ohio)
Karl Wendt
Philip Suarez
Wayne Skinner
Bill Vagas
Dave Slama
Terry Marshall 

M45+ A/B	
Bob Talley (Fla.)
Robert Frazier (Ala.)
Keith Butts
Bill Wilt
Ernesto Cisneros, Sr.
Bert Castelanelli
Osvaldo Maggi
Eric Sigel 

M45+ C/D	
Randy Williams (Texas)
Marc Scher (Texas) 
Chris Scott
Doug Sanders
Dean Cline
Michael Grosse
Bill Vagas
Bill Maguire

M50+ A/B	
David Gross (S.D.)
Jon Wuerffel (Destin, Fla.)
David Lorenz
Donald Acklin
Norman Hanks
Edward Cortez
Harvey Brannigan
Clarence Simmons 

M50+ C/D
Garry Carter (Calif.)
Jerry Williams (Texas) 
Marc Scher
Frank Kerwick
Johnny Bright
Ronald Maestas
Peter Kochis
Tom Sikorski

M55+ A/B	
Ronald Yonkee (Ill.)
Fred Roe (Calif.)
Paul Pearce
Leon Booken
Graig Shaak
Peyton Dorsett
Wayne Toyne
David Jordan

M60+ A/B	
Grant Morrill (Pa.)
Bob Baudry (La.)
John Ramsay
Don Davis
George Scheffel

M55-65+ C/D	
Steven Lavorgna (N.J.)
Ronald McElwee (Ala.)
Paul Abbot
Frank Kerwick
Robert Case
Bob Fennell
Bill Dunn
Duane Smith

Women's OPEN	
Cheryl Gudinas (Ill.)
Jackie Paraiso (Calif.)
Kersten Hallander
Rhonda Rajsich
Aimee Roehler
Kerri Stoffregen
Kristen Walsh
Laura Fenton

Women's Elite	
Susana Acosta (Mexico)
Adrienne Fisher (Ohio)
(s) Lupita Torres
(s) Joanna Rivera
Jennifer Dering
Phyllis Morris
Cara Pellowski
Janel Tisinger

Women's 24-	
Rhonda Rajsich (Ariz.)
Brooke Crawford (Ore.)
Janel Tisinger
Kristen Walsh
Susana Acosta
Adrienne Fisher
Joanna Rivera
Kristen Fritz 

Women's 25+	
Kerri Stoffregen (Ohio)
Johanna Shattuck (Colo.)
Tina Hagen
Lupita Torres
Cara Pellowski
Kelley Beane
Stephanie Munger
Aimee Roehler 

Women's 30+	
Michelle Lucas (Va.)
Doreen Fowler (Md.)
B.J. Ehrgott
Lorraine Galloway
Debra Bryant
Jennifer Dering
Gladys Leonard
Holly Remen 

Women's 35+	
Kersten Hallander (Calif.)
Anita Maldonado (N.Y.) 
(s) B.J. Ehrgott
(s) Debra Tisinger
Holly Remen
Denise Mock
Phyllis Morris
Lorraine Galloway

Women's 40+	
Malia Bailey (Va.)
Debra Tisinger (Calif.)
Roz Petronelli
Chris Evon
Jean Trimble
Meena Evans
Linda Moore
Marcia Richards 

Women's 45+	
Susan Pfahler (Fla.)
Meena Evans (N.C.)
Gerri Stoffregen
Karen Key
Ann Hemphill
Marcia Richards
Shelley Ogden
Jean Trimble 

Women's 50+	
Agatha Falso (Fla.)
Terry Rogers (Calif.)
Sharon Hastings Welty
Shelly Ogden
Paula Sperling
Sharon Huczek
Mildred Gwinn 

Women's 55+	
Gerri Stoffregen (Ohio)
Agatha Falso (Fla.)
Marylou Furaus
Sharon Hastings Welty
Mildred Gwinn
Nidia Funes
Jo Kenyon

Women's 60+	
Jo Kenyon (Fla.)
Sylvia Sawyer (Utah) 

Women's 65+	
Jo Kenyon (Fla.)
	
W70 & 75+	
Mary Low Acuff (N.C.)
Christine Stephens (Texas)

Women's 80+	
Mary Low Acuff (N.C.) 
 
Women's A	
Isabel Nagelin (Va.)
T.J. Baumbaugh (Md.)
Sandra Adams
Melissa Young
Kelly Goddard
Sarah Wells-Nelzen
Marsha Kazarosian
Kathy Ropers

Women's B	
Valerie Willis (N.C.)
Cheryl Kirk (Ill.)
Catherine Radloff
Janice Kennedy
Rhonda Kochis
July Malone
Lan Huynh
Rosario Kelley

Women's C	
Rosie Gonzalez (Texas)
Pamela Trent (Md.) 
Joanna Reyes
Bridget Kundrot
Sharon McNeill
Caron Chung
Tish Seballos
Jan Stelma

Women's D	
Ramona Vonondarza (Fla.)
Chieko Mineo (Texas) 
Bonnie Koehne
Katie Brewer
Samaria Bennett
Connie Colie
Jennifer Snyder
Janice Dunn

W24- | 25+ A/B	
T.J. Baumbaugh (Md.)
Esther McNany (Conn.)
Veronica Ramirez
Nathania Stewart
Christa Davis
Sara Wells-Nelzen
Kathy Ropers
Vivan Gomez 

W24- | 25+ C/D	
Denielle Mathieu (Mo.)
Ramona Vonondarza (Fla.)
Tish Seballos
Michelle Lexow
Katie Brewer
Abigail Placke 

W30+ A/B	
Catherine Land (N.C.)
Lia Sullins (Texas)
Sandra Adams
Carla Kinslow
Catherine Radloff
Lynn Hiorns
Valerie Willis
Diane Whitman

W35+ A/B	
Ann Doucette (Maine)
Kelly Goddard (Va.)
Patrice Calvi
Sheri Bushey
Rhonda Kochis
Yuni Cobb
Beth Rist
Janice Kennedy

W30-35 C/D	
Caron Chung (Va.)
Joanna Reyes (Texas) 
Pamela Trent
Bridget Kundrot
Carla Moats
Donna Payne

W40+ A/B	
Isabel Nagelin (Va.)
Sharon Barrett (Texas)
Sandy McCall
Donna Cooper
Farah Lewis
Kassi Herr
Cheryl Kirk
Marsha Kazarosian

W45+ A/B	
Sharon Barrett (Texas)
Donna Cooper (Texas)
Patricia Schof
Cynthia Huge
Lan Huynh
Dianne Pratt
Lynne Weisbart 

W40-45+ C/D	
Rosie Gonzalez (Texas)
Cherie Evans (Wash.)
Gail Gabrysh
Sharon McNeill
Bonnie Koehne
Nila Gresham
Jan Stelma
Chieko Mineo 

W50+ A/B	
Cookie Wachtel (Ohio)
Patricia Schof (La.)
Sharon Brockbank
Ly Abbott

W55-60+ A/B	
CeCe Palaski (Calif.)
Sylvia Sawyer (Utah)
Marquita Molina
Cookie Wachtel