2001 HEAD 28th USRA
Junior Olympic Championships
Lakewood Athletic Club
Denver,
Colorado: June 23-27
preview | releases | drawsheets | finals & finishers
Reigning U.S. National Singles Champion, Jack Huczek (Rochester Hills, Mich.), had trouble in his first semi-final game against Matt McElhiney (Bradenton, Fla.) but was able to pull out the win to keep his dream alive of becoming the only player to have won every junior age division twice. Chris Coy (Elk City, Okla.), the 2000 Sports Illustrated Young Sportsman of the Year, fell in his semifinal match but still has a chance to earn a spot on the U.S. Junior National Team if he is able to win his third place match on Wednesday.
Huczek was challenged in the first game by McElhiney who jumped out to an early 4-1 lead. The two players battled back and forth with many lead changes and spectacular rallies until Huczek took control of the match at 10-10 and rattled off the last five points to take the first game 15-10. Huczek dictated the entire second game as he methodically earned point after point winning the second game 15-6. He will face No.2 seed Zack Miller (Alto Loma, Calif.) in the final. Miller was victorious against Cory Martin (Kenosha, Wisc.) 15-7, 15-4.
In the boy's 16-and-under top seeded Steven Klaiman (Bellaire, Tex.) earned a spot in the finals by defeating Dan Sheppick (Milwaukie, Ore.) 15-4, 15-11. Klaiman's opponent in the finals will be Travis Woodbury (Arlington, Virg.) who was able to upset No.2 seed Brandon Shoemaker (Findlay, Ohio) in a close match. Woodbury took the first game 15-14 but Shoemaker dominated the second 15-8. In the deciding game it was Woodbury dominating as he was able to pull out the match 11-4.
No. 3 seed Chris Coy (Elk City, Okla.), the 2000 Sports Illustrated Young Sportsman of the Year, was unable to pull out an upset against No. 2 seed Charles Pratt (Portland, Ore.). Coy and Pratt split the first two games and were tied at 9-9 in the second before Pratt was able to earn the last two points and close out the match 12-15, 15-7, 11-9. Matt Johnson (Farmington, N.M.), the No. 4 seed, was able to pull out an upset against top seeded Joey Lakowske (Corvallis, Ore.) 15-14, 4-15, 11-8.
Face Off
Co-Female Junior Athletes of the Year Kristen Walsh (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Adrienne Fisher (Dayton, Ohio) battled it out on the court and underdog Lauren Deutsch (West Hills, Calif.) tried to continue her run through top seeds against No.2 seed Krystal Czuk (Naperville, Ill.) in the girls 18-and-under semifinals. Adrienne and her sister Kelly Fisher tried to make the girl's 16- finals a family affair after both made the semifinals on Monday at the U.S. Junior Olympic Racquetball Championships.
Walsh and Fisher were paired up in a much anticipated girl's 18- semifinal match. Walsh, the U.S. Intercollegiate Champion and the first female to serve concurrent terms on both the U.S. National Team and U.S. Junior National Team, had lost the previous five matches to Fisher. It looked as though she would lose the sixth as Fisher built an 11-4 lead in the first game but Walsh wouldn't go down easily as she stormed back to take the first game 15-14. Again in the second game Fisher jumped out to an early 11-4 advantage but Walsh's comeback fell short as Fisher was able to force a tiebreaker by winning 15-9. The two battled it out in the tiebreaker but Walsh was able to dig deep to pull out the victory 11-7.
"I am a very positive person so I kept pushing when I was down in the match,"
said Walsh. "It helped that I had friends and family cheering me on in the
crowd."
Unseeded Lauren Deutsch (West Hills, Calif.) had already knocked off No. 3
seed Crystal Winfrey (Powell, Ohio) earlier in the tournament but she had to
face No. 2 seed Krystal Czuk (Naperville, Ill.) in the semifinals. Deutsch
took the first game 15-14 but Czuk was able to force a deciding game by
winning the second 15-9. The tiebreaker was close but Deutsch pulled out
the upset 11-8.
"I have never been in the finals of anything, " said
Deutsch. "I am really excited. I think this will really improve my game
and my confidence."
Both Adrienne Fisher and her sister Kelly were in semifinal matches in the
girl's 16- divisions. Adrienne was able to earn her spot in the finals by
defeating Jenny Cary (Beaverton, Ore.) 15-10, 15-5. Kelly was not so
fortunate as she fell 15-4, 15-8 to Ashley Legget (Klamath Falls, Ore.).
Kelly will have a chance at revenge tomorrow in the girl's 14- division,
however, as both she and Legget made the finals. Kelly was able to get past
Ashley Wilhite in a tight match 4-15, 15-8, 11-10. Kelly was down 10-4 in
the tiebreaker before she was able to roll off 7 seven unanswered points to
take the match. Legget earned her spot in the finals by defeating Elise
Wilson (Bristol, Conn.) in straight games 15-13, 15-6.
The boy's semifinals are set in all of the U.S. Junior National Team qualifying divisions. The girl's had the day off after playing their quarterfinal matches on Sunday.
U.S. National Singles Open division champion Jack Huczek (Rochester Hills, Mich.) stayed on track
to become the first junior player to capture each age division twice. The
2000 Sports Illustrated Young Sportsman of the year, Chris Coy (Elk City,
Okla.), is also still in contention as he tries to earn his first appointment on the U.S. Junior National Team. One-year appointments are
earned by the top three finishers in both the boy's and girl's 18-and-under,
16-, and 14- gold divisions.
Huczek, the youngest U.S. National Singles Open division champion and the
first player to serve concurrent terms on both the U.S. National Team and
the U.S. Junior National Team, continues to breeze through the tournament,
defeating Sanjay LaForest (Queens Village, N.Y.) 15-3, 15-5. Huczek will
face No.4 seeded Mathew McElhiney (Bradenton, Fla.) who was victorious
against Steven Klaiman (Bellaire, Tex.) 15-10, 15-11.
Unseeded Cory Martin (Kenosha, Wisc.) continued his bid for a U.S. Junior
Team appointment by taking out Colorado native Dan Beaudry (Pueblo, Colo.)
15-9, 15-7. Martin's opponent in Tuesday's semifinal match will be Zack Miller (Alto Loma,
Calif.) who was challenged by Mike Lawerence (Hoover, Ala.). Miller won the
first game 15-8 but Lawerence stormed back to take the second 15-9. In the
deciding game the players battled back and forth until Miller was able to
pull ahead and take the match 11-6.
In the boy's 16-, Travis Woodbury (Arlington Virg.) was able to keep his
Cinderella story alive after defeating Ryan Lindell (Beaverton, Ore.) 15-10,
15-9. Woodbury upset the No.3 seed in the second round. All of the other
top seeds in the boy's 16- were able to advance into the semifinals.
The boy's 14- No.3 seed Chris Coy (Elk City, Okla.), the 2000 Sports
Illustrated Young Sportsman of the Year, is on course to earn his first
appointment to the U.S. Junior National Team. He was able to get by Jordan Walters (Fayettville, N.C.) 15-12, 15-2. Coy will
face No. 2 seed Charles Pratt (Portland, Ore.) who was able to comeback
against Jared Torres (Garden City, Kan.) in a close match 12-15, 15-4, 11-4.
Top seeded Joey Lakowske (Corvailis, Ore.) and No. 4 seed Matt Johnson
(Farmington, N.M) were also able to advance and will battle each other in
Tuesday's semifinals.
Colorado native Dan Beaudry of Pueblo recorded the biggest upset in the boy's 18-and-under division on Sunday with a 15-13, 15-14 victory over third seeded Andy Hawthorne (Champaign, Ill.). Beaudry, who plays #3 singles for the University of Southern Colorado, was able to hold off late comebacks in both games by Hawthorne.
"I had him 14-10 in both games and he really started to play well at that point both times," said Beaudry. "His serve was tough but I knew if I could just get (the serve back) then I would be OK.."
Beaudry felt that the high altitude
may have worked to his advantage, "I saw him play in Vegas and he played much better there." Said
Beaudry, "This is one of the best win's I have ever had." Beaudry will face
second seeded Zack Miller (Alto Loma, Calif.) Monday in the quarterfinals
who was able to defeat another Colorado native Brandon Burgess (Littleton,
Colo.) 15-10, 15-9.
Top seeded Jack Huzcek (Rochester Hills, Mich.) kept his quest alive to
become the only player in junior history to capture each age division twice
with a 15-1, 15-0 drubbing of Paul Carroll (Poatello, Idaho).
Huczek -- also the current U.S. National Singles Open champion and U.S. National High
School Champion -- has only allowed two points to be scored against
him in any match the entire tournament. He will face Mathew McElhiney (Bradenton, Fla.) who was victorious in his match
against Joe Klibowitz (Sussex, Wisc.) 15-4, 15-10.
Travis Woodbury (Arlington, Virg.) was able to upset third seeded Ben Croft
(Lake Bluff, Ill.) 15-14, 15-4 in the boy's 14-and-under division and
Brandon Shoemaker (Findley, Ohio) breezed past Dain Taylor (Shelbyville,
Ind.) 15-1, 15-4 to earn a spot in Monday's quarterfinals.
Also in the 14s, top seed Steven Klaiman (Bellaire, Tex.) kept his U.S. Junior
National team hopes on track with a 15-2, 15-2 victory over Evan
Ussery. Also advancing was No.4, Dan Sheppick (Milwaukie, Ore.) who
was able to outplay Evan Ussery (Albuquerque, N.M.) 15-4, 15-5.
Girl's Semi's
Shape Up
Two of the top four seeds were upset in Sunday's girl's 18-and-under action as Lauren Deutsch (West Hills, Calif.) defeated No.3 Crystal Winfrey (Powell, Ohio) 15-11, 12-15, 11-3. Twice Deutsch had previously played Winfrey and both of those matches ended in defeat.
"She had beaten me pretty badly our first two matches," said Deutsch. "I guess the third time
is a charm." Deutsch will face second seeded Krystal Csuk (Naperville,
Ill.) on Tuesday in the semifinals. Csuk was victorious in her match
against Jeni Fuller (Albuquerque, N.M.) 15-10, 15-3. "I had never beaten
either of them before (Winfrey or Csuk)," said Deutsch. "I am a lot
mentally tougher now. Tomorrow I am just going to go out and play."
Adrienne Fisher (Dayton, Ohio) was responsible for the other upset on Sunday
when she defeated fourth seeded Janel Tisinger (Simi Valley, Calif.).
Fisher took the first game 15-10 but Tisinger was able to battle back to win
the second 15-9. In the deciding game Fisher stormed out to a commanding
7-3 lead. Tisinger was able to close to within two points at 7-9 but Fisher
called a timeout and was able to refocus to close out the match 11-7.
"I was thinking way too much about the match and trying to make my shots
perfect, " said Fisher about the tiebreaker. "I was able to go back in
(after the timeout) and just play, concentrating on one shot at a time."
She was also able to win her girl's 14-and-under match against Ashley
Willhite (Klamath Falls, Ore.) 15-3, 15-8. Fisher, the U.S. National High
School champion, will face Kristen Walsh (Salt Lake City, Utah), the U.S.
National Intercollegiate champion in their semifinal match. Walsh defeated
Nickii Whitney (Shelburne, VT) 15-0, 15-4.
In the girl's 14- division Ashley Legget (Klamath Falls, Ore.) was able to upset third seeded Jesi Fuller (Albuquerque, N.M.) 15-4, 15-10.
Legget is paired against second seeded Kelly Fisher (Dayton, Ohio), sister
of Adrienne Fisher in the semifinals. Kelly Fisher was able to get by
Stacey Northrop (Klamath Falls, Ore.) 15-8, 15-0. Jenny Cary also advanced
into the semifinals by beating Cari Mitlitsky (Fresh Meadows, N.Y.) in a
close match 11-15, 15-6, 11-6. Cary will face Adrienne Fisher in the
semifinals.
Returning to the seek yet another title in racquetball is Sports Illustrated's 2000 Young Sportsman of the Year, Chris Coy (Elk City, Okla.). Coy, 13, beat out over 200 other junior athletes in all sports to earn the award, which was presented to him by tennis star Serena Williams and *Nsync's Justin Timberlake and Chris Kirkpatrick at the televised awards presentation in New York last November.
At last year's Junior Olympic event, Coy won a silver medal in both the boy's 12- singles and boy's 12- doubles with David Lewis (Aurora, Colo.). In December, at the World Junior Championships, Coy was able to win two world junior titles in boy's 12- doubles and 12- mixed doubles as well as a bronze medal in boy's 12- singles. At the U.S. National Singles Championships in Houston, Coy placed second in the men's B division where he met up with players ten year's his senior throughout the tournament.
His career record is remarkable enough, but what makes it more amazing is that Coy has accomplished these feats after his left leg and ankle were amputated at age four. He was born with cancer in his stomach, which was diagnosed at five weeks of age. When he was three, doctor's discovered a vascular infection that spread down his leg. Coy had to endure chemotherapy, which led to the amputation.
In the past, Coy has worn a prosthetic leg, which had no bend or flex in it, making it difficult for him to maneuver around the court. This year he has a new style prosthetic leg with more flex in the ankle, making it easier for him to move from side to side. "I am faster this year because of it." Not only does Coy say that he is faster this year, but that he is also playing better racquetball, practicing up to three hours per day. That is bad news for his opponents, as those that played against him last year can testify to.
Thus far in Denver, Coy has advanced into the quarterfinals of both the boy's 14-and-under singles and doubles divisions at this year's U.S. Junior Olympic Championships.
The 2001 Head 28th USRA Junior Olympic Racquetball Championships got underway Saturday, June 23 in Denver at the Lakewood Athletic Club. Over 200 of the top junior racquetball players in the country began competition for national titles and spots on the U.S. Junior National Racquetball team.
The top four seeds in the boy's 18-and-under division advanced to the quarterfinals, including current U.S. National open division champion Jack Huczek (Rochester Hills, Mich.). Huczek is attempting to become the first player in history to win each junior age division title twice and is on his way following a 15-0, 15-1 victory over James Ritter (St. Louis, MO) to advance to the quarterfinals. Huczek was the first player to serve concurrent terms on both the U.S. Adult National team and U.S. Junior National team and , at 18, became the youngest player to win the USRA National Singles Open Champion this past May when he defeated defending champion Rocky Carson (Santa Maria, Calif.).
Second seeded Zack Miller (Alta Loma, Calif.) survived a scare from Kirk Pauley (Aberdeen, S.D.) but was able to advance to the quarterfinals with a 15-2, 12-15, 11-7 victory. Andy Hawthorne (Champaign, Ill.), the third
seed, advanced easily over Justin Jackson (Shelbyville, Ind.) 15-2, 15-2. Fourth seeded Mathew McElhiney (Bradenton, Fla.) also advanced with a straight game defeat of Alex Schwarz (Kirkwood, MO) 15-4, 15-1
The top seeds in the girl's 18-and-under had the day off and were able to scout their competition for their quarterfinal matches. Nickii Whitney (Shelburne, VT) was able to defeat Da'monique Davis (San Antonio, Tex.)
15-10, 15-11. She will be up against the top seed, and current U.S. Intercollegiate girl's champion, Kristen Walsh, in Sunday's quarterfinals.
Adrienne Fisher (Dayton, Ohio), the top seed in girl's 16-and-under, cruised past Sarah Ulmer (St. Louis, MO) 15-3, 15-1. Fisher is also the current U.S. High School girl's national champion and will face fourth seeded Janel
Tisinger (Simi Valley, Calif.). Jeni Fuller (Albuquerque, N.M.) will face second seeded Krystal Csuk (Naperville, Ill.) after getting by Rachel Mimms (Adairville, Ken.) 15-14, 15-10 and Lauren Deutsch (West Hills Calif.) advanced to the quarterfinals to challenge third seeded Crystal Winfrey
(Powell, Ohio) with her 15-1, 15-1 victory over Laurie Fisk (Kirkwood, MO).
The 2001 Head 28th USRA Junior Olympic Racquetball Championships resume Sunday and continue through Wednesday's final rounds. The tournament takes place at the Lakewood Athletic Club located at 3333 South Wadsworth Boulevard. There is no charge for spectators to view the action.
28th Junior Olympic Championships to
Open in Denver
Junior Team Appointments
Up for Grabs
Over 250 of the nations finest junior athletes will head to Denver, Colorado for the week of June 23-27 to attend the 2001 Head 28th U.S. Junior Olympic Racquetball Championships, presented by Penn Racquet Sports. The event will be held at the Lakewood Athletic Club in Lakewood (a northwestern suburb of Denver).
The field includes twenty-five current world junior
champions in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles -- each seeking
one of eighteen spots
on the U.S. Junior National Team. The top three
finishers in boy's and girl's 18-and-under, 16-and-under, and 14-and-under
singles divisions will earn these appointments. The U.S. Junior National Team participates in goodwill
tours abroad as well represents the U.S. in international competition.
Following a record-setting win at the recent adult national
championships, Jack Huczek (Rochester Hills, Mich.) will attempt to
continue his dominance of the junior ranks in the boy's 18-and-under singles.
Last month, at the U.S. National Singles Championships in Houston, Huczek became
the youngest men's Open champion with an upset victory over defending champion Rocky
Carson (Santa Maria, Calif.).
The win earned Huczek his second one-year appointment on the U.S. National Team (he qualified by placing third at last year's national singles event), and he remains the first player to serve concurrent terms on both the U.S. Adult National Team and the U.S. Junior National Team.
A win at this year's Junior
Olympics would give Huczek another opportunity to set a
record: he could become the only player in the history of junior racquetball to win each age division twice. (Age divisions are
separated in two-year increments from 6-and-under to 18-and-under.) He is
also the reigning 16-and-under World Junior Champion.
Kristen Walsh (Salt Lake City, Utah) will look to earn her second straight
girl's 18-and-under title at this year's Junior Olympics. Walsh is also a
member of both the U.S. Adult National Team and U.S. Junior National Teams.
She accomplished the feat [after Huczek] by winning the 2001 U.S. Intercollegiate Championships and the 2000 Junior Olympics for her adult and
junior appointments, respectively.
Jose and Marco Rojas (Stockton, Calif.) will attempt repeats of last year
performances, as each of the brothers earned national and world titles
in their respective age divisions. Jose won his titles in the boy's
10-and-under last year and will be competing in the same division this year.
Last year Marco won the boy's 6-and-under national and world
titles; this year he will move into the 8-and-under age division.
The tournament will be held at the Lakewood Athletic Club, located at 3333
South Wadsworth Boulevard, June 23-27. Admission is free to all spectators.
303/989-5545.
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