1999 Ektelon 32nd USRA National
Singles Championships -- "The Finals"
Presented by Penn Racquet Sports

Downtown YMCA - Houston, Texas: May 26-31

final match results & top finishers

MEDIA ADVISORY! ... Call 719/963-8074 for more details about this event from Kevin Vicroy, USRA Media/Public Relations Manager. For website questions or concerns, contact Linda Mojer, USRA Assoc. Executive Director/Communications & Editor/RACQUETBALL.

a perfect finish to a long week ...

According to his own opinion, back-to-back national champion Adam Karp must feel like a nobody. Elders have informed all of us at one time or another that nobody is perfect.

Yet, after his 15-8, 15-12 win over Michael Bronfeld in the finals of the Ektelon 32nd U.S. National Singles Racquetball Championships, Karp said, " I thought I was playing perfect."

"To be honest with you - not to take anything away from Michael - the way I started this match, I felt like I would be beating anyone."

Known around the racquetball community as the "Flying Fish" due to his athletic diving ability, Karp glided out to an 8-0 lead in the first game.

Up 10-2, Karp traded 14 consecutive sideouts with former two-time national title holder Bronfeld. Eventually, last year's champion swam away and shoveled a forehand into the right corner to end game one 15-8.

Bronfeld, who has earned a spot in six national finals, jump out to a 4-1 lead only to watch Karp and his deadly backhand tie the match and force his way out to a lead of his own, 11-4.

The two Californians continued to battle, but it was Karp - just as he did against Bronfeld in the 1998 finals - who came out on top.

"This year, I tried dodging every question in the world about back-to-back," Karp said. "But it was a big goal of mine, not too many people have done it. I had three goals coming into this tournament: make the (U.S.) Team, qualify for Pan Ams and back-to-back. Fortunately, I accomplished all three."

Second seed Cheryl Gudinas hung on for a first game win and cruised to a 15-14, 15-5 victory in the women's finals. Up 8-1 and 14-6 in the first game, Gudinas appeared to be on her way to the opening win. However, Fenton rallied for eight consecutive points and even enjoyed one match point before falling 15-14.

"I put a lot of energy in to that (game) and I had the momentum," Fenton said. "If I would have won that game I would have gone in (to the second game) with the momentum rather than having to start over."

Gudinas, a two-time national runner-up, agreed, saying, "If she gets that game, it's a whole different story." But the story this year was Gudinas' transformation from bride's maid to bride.

"I just didn't want to be going in home second place again," Gudinas said. "What on Earth would everybody think?" Holding a firm 14-5 lead in the second game, Gudinas hit a passing shot down the left line which slowed to a crawl in Gudinas' mind.

"I was willing that ball to die before it got to the back wall," she said. "I just got lucky and she (Fenton) didn't reach that one."

finals

Men's Open: Adam Karp [1], Stockton, CA def. Michael Bronfeld [2], Pacific Grove, CA 15-8; 15-12

Women's Open: Cheryl Gudinas [3], Lisle, IL def. Laura Fenton [4], Troutdale, OR 15-14; 15-5

Men's 24-: Jack Huczek [1], Rochester Hills, MI def. Josh Tucker [3], Joplin, MO 10-15; 15-7; 11-2; Men's 25+: Rob DeJesus [5], Phoenix, AZ def. Sameer Hadid [2], Sacramento, CA 9-15; 15-11; 11-7; Men's 30+: Jeff Bell, Tuscon, AZ def. David Watson [1], Miami, OK 15-1; 15-4; Men's 35+: Jimmy Lowe [1], Fairbanks, AK def. Lance Gilliam [6], San Antonio, TX 11-15; 15-8; 11-3; Men's 40+ : Tom Travers, Westlake, OH def. Dave Peck [1], Austin, TX 15-8; 15-14; Men's 45+ : Ruben Gonzalez [1], Staten Island, NY def. Tom Travers [7], Westlake, OH 15-14 Ret; Men's 50+: Ed Remen [1], Apex, NC def. Jim Bailey, Norfolk, VA 15-11; 15-8; Men's 55+: Ron Galbreath [1], New Wilmington, PA def. Roger Wehrle [2], Flowery Branch, GA 15-5; 11-15; 11-6; Men's 60+: Lee Graff [3], West Linn, OR def. Rex Lawler [1], Terre Haute, IN 9-15; 15-5; 11-7; Men's 65+: Otis Chapman [1], Cleveland, OH def. Don Alt [2], Ft. Myers, FL 15-11; 15-13; Men's 70+: Barney Freisth, Sioux Falls, SD def. Chuck Lake, Chesapeake, VA 15-0; 15-10; Men's 75+: Earl Acuff [4], Asheville, NC def. Nick Sans, Irvine, CA 15-2; 15-11; Men's 80+: Earl Acuff, Asheville, NC def. George Spear, Jr., Venice, FL 15-3, 15-12.

Men's Elite: Brian Pointelin [1], Denver, CO def. Jim Derks, Anchorage, AK 9-15, 15-6, 11-3; Men's A: David Ghio, Salinas, CA def. Barney Revuelta [4], Waco, TX 15-5; 6-15; 11-4; Men's B: Ryan Lindell [3], Beaverton, OR def. Tony Garcia, Brownsville, TX 15-14; 15-7; Men's C: Peter Michaely [1], Dallas, TX d. Andy Silva, Miami, FL 3-15; 15-14; 11-5 (final); Men's D: Ryan Kinnaman, Siloam Springs, AR def. Garry Carter [2], Napa, CA 15-8; 14-15; 11-1; Men's 24- A/B: Ryan Lindell [1], Beaverton, OR def. Stanley Shaw IV, East Longmeadow, MA 15-5; 12-15; 11-5; Men's 24- C/D: Jason Hicks [3], Radcliff, KY def. Sid Harshavat, Palatine, IL 15-4, 15-8; Men's 25+ C/D: Luis Garcia III [3], Houston, TX def. Wes McDonald [1], Lake Charles, LA 15-9, 15-10; Men's 25+ A/B: Dave Bartscher [3], Plano, TX def. John Schiavi [8], Darlinston, MD 13-15; 15-8; 11-0; Men's 25+ C/D: Luis Garcia III [3], Houston, TX def. Wes McDonald [1], Lake Charles, LA 15-9; 15-10; Men's 35+ A/B: Wayne Gonsalves, Carthage, NY def. Lynn Johnson, Stillwater, Ok 15-2; 15-12; Men's 35+ C/D: Richard Golden [2], Plano, TX def. Wayne Skinner, Harvey, LA 15-13; 15-8; Men's 45+ C/D: Donne Crowe, Ft. Polk, LA def. David Carter, Hurst, TX 15-12; 10-15; 11-1; Men's 45+ A/B: Ron Fowler, Decatur, GA def. Keith Butts, Kingwood, TX 15-11; 10-15; 11-10; Men's 55+ A/B: Paul Lowe, Dallas, TX def. Craig Shaak [2], Gainesville, FL 15-10; 15-11; Men's 55+ C/D: Grant Morrill [3], Middletown, PA def. George Scheffel, Jackson, MI 15-8; 15-2.

Women's 24-: Kerri Stoffregen, Chicago, IL def. Shannon Feaster, New York, NY 15-5; 15-13; Women's 25+: Heather Dunn, So. Burlington, VT def. Johanna Shattuck, Wheat Ridge, CO 15-7; 15-5; Women's 30+: Kim Russell, Chattanooga, TN def. Michelle Wiragh, Annandale, VA 15-5; 15-1; Women's 35+: Holly Remen, Apex, NC def. Karin Sobotta, Kennewick, WA 15-3 Ret (Inj); Women's 40+: Chris Evon, Wheeling, IL def. Janell Marriott, W. Warwick, RI 15-8; 15-13; Women's 45+: Janell Marriott, W. Warwick, RI def. Raymie Roland, Sebastopol, CA 15-4; 15-8; Women's 50+: Gerri Stoffregen, Cincinnati, OH def. Sharon Hastings-Welty, Corvallis, OR 15-5; 15-0; Women's 55+: Gerri Stoffregen, Cincinnati, OH def. Sharon Hastings-Welty, Corvallis, OR 15-2; 15-6; Women's 60+: Jo Kenyon, Tallahassee, FL def. Susan Embry, Tacoma, WA 15-2, 15-5; Women's 65+: Jo Kenyon, Tallahassee, FL def. Lola Markus, Park Ridge, IL 15-1; 15-6; Women's 75+: Mary Low Acuff, Asheville, NC def. Christine Stephens, Lumberton, TX 15-1, 15-4.

Women's Elite: Denise Mock [4], Plano, Texas def. Johanna Shattuck [1], Wheat Ridge, CO 15-10, 15-11; Women's A: Janel Tisinger [8], Canoga Park, CA def. Esther McNany [2], Gales Ferry, CT 15-11; 15-11; Women's B: Michelle Poage [3], Anchorage, AK def. Renee Kemp, Lutherville, MD 15-13; 15-2; Women's C: Cheryl Kirk [4], Naperville, IL def. Beth Rist [4], Lake Charles, LA 15-3; 15-7; Women's D: Pamela Trent, Baltimore, MD def. Ramona Vonondarza, Boca Raton, FL 15-10, 15-10; Women's 24- A/B: Janel Tisinger, Canoga Park, CA d. Brenna Bilbrough, Eugene, OR 15-3; 15-5; Women's 25+ A/B: Lia Sullins, Houston, TX def. Veronica Ramirez, Kingwood, TX 15-14, 10-15, 11-9; Women's 25+ C/D: Lynn Hiorns, Aurora, IL d. Carla Thompson, Aurora, CO Def (Unex); Women's 35+ A/B: Gladys Leonard, Falls Chruch, VA def. Lori Edmonds, Lincoln, NE 15-13; 15-1; Women's 35+ C/D: Janice Kennedy, Decatur, GA def. Beth Rist, Lake Charles, LA 6-15; 15-2; 11-0; Women's 45+ A/B: Carmen Alatorre Martin, Arlington, VA def. Donna Cooper, Ft. Worth, TX 15-10; 15-2; Women's 45+ C/D: Linda George, Hutchinson, KS def. Jane K. Bentley, Albuquerque, NM 14-15, 15-3, 11-3; Women's 55+ A/B: Marquita Molina, Wasco, CA def. Gail Schaefer, Randalls Town, MD 15-7, 15-13

finishers

MEN'S OPEN
Adam Karp (Calif.)
Michael Bronfeld (Calif.)
Brian Fredenberg (Texas)
Eric Muller (Mass.)
Doug Eagle
James Mulcock
Jason Thoerner
Mike Locker

Scott Reiff
Dan Llacera
Todd O'Neil
Chris Wright
Ruben Gonzalez
Derek Robinson
Doug Ganim
Jeff Bell

Men's Elite
Brian Pointelin (Colo.)
Jim Derks (Alaska)
Ben Simons
Bruce Moore
Chris Wachtel
John Boswell
Chris Baker
Ira Holland

Men's A
David Ghio (Calif.)
Barney Revuelta (Texas)
Bob Nelson
Jody Morris
Fernando Gambirazio
Ryan Rodgers
Nick Giunta
Ryan Graham

Sean Baker
Steve Edwards
Michael Cole
Eddie Vann
Brian Mathieu
Rob Hartmann
Damian Zamorano
Dave Bartscher
CONSO: Paul Julbes

Men's B
Ryan Lindell (Ore.)
Tony Garcia (Texas)
Eddie Pavloski
Vic Wahl
Sean Nelson
Angelo Perilli
Bill Boada
Dan Shupsky

Brandon Burgess
David Dennison
Felix Marrero
Steve Simpson
Seth Goldfogel
Larry Isham
Keith Nolen
Steve James
CONSO: Joe Bonavita

Men's C
Peter Michaely (Texas)
Andy Silva (Fla.)
Melvin Todd
Paul Dolan
Donne Crowe
Roger Dial
Bruce Schaff
Craig Sparks
CONSO: Orlando Mayo

Men's D
Ryan Kinnaman (Ark.)
Garry Carter (Calif.)
Jerry Buchanan
Kris Robinson
David Eaton
Calvin Ahinga
Jimmy Rafiee
Brian Sanderford
CONSO: Sid Harshavat

Men's 24-
Jack Huczek (Mich.)
Josh Tucker (Mo.)
Bart Crawford
Ryan Homa
Ryan Graham
Jack Long
Kyle Veenstra
Erin Brannigan
CONSO: Damian Zamarano

Men's 24- A/B
Ryan Lindell (Ore.)
Stanley Shaw IV (Mass.)
James Williford
Dan Beaudry
Shawn Barrera
Miguel Escobedo
Brian Montgomery
Brandon Burgess

Men's 24- C/D
Jason Hicks (Ky.)
Sid Harshavat (Ill.)
Ryan Bush
Kris Robinson
Cline Nicholas
Amarinder Singh Bedi
David Bellow
Andrew Reardon

Men's 25+
Rob DeJesus (Ariz.)
Sameer Hadid (Calif.)
Brad McCunniff
Brian Fredenberg
Orlando Cabana
Scott Reiff
Fabian Balmori
Kevin Graham
CONSO: Russ Bruns

Men's 25+ A/B
Dave Bartscher (Texas)
John Schiavi (Md.)
Darrel Zaleski
Kevin Murphy
Al Schof
Angelo Perilli
Paul Julbes
Ron Sutek
CONSO: Eric Reiman

Men's 25+ C/D
Luis Garcia III (Texas)
Wes McDonald (La.)
Craig Sparks
Greg Benjamin
Jerry Buchanan
John Layne
Tommy Rigsby
Jason Marshall
CONSO: Rudy Herrera

Men's 30+
Jeff Bell (Ariz.)
David Watson (Okla.)
John Davis
Dan Llacera
Julio Junki
Bobby Haab
Brad McCunniff
Rick Ferrin
CONSO: Steve Edwards

Men's 35+
Jimmy Lowe (Alaska)
Lance Gilliam (Texas)
Gregg Peck
David Negrete
Thomas Delle Donne
Rick Ferrin
David Watson
Bobby Haab
CONSO: Jeffrey Elder

Men's 35+ A/B
Wayne Gonsalves (N.Y.)
Lynn Johnson (Okla.)
Edwardo Munoz
Steve Myers
Terrence Pierce
Camilo Orellana
Marcus Riggins
James Davis
CONSO: Jeff Waters

Men's 35+ C/D
Richard Golden (Texas)
Wayne Skinner (La.)
Dan Carey
Brian Sanderford
Mike Berno
Calvin Ahinga
Jim Woods
Orlando Mayo
CONSO: Oscar Vargas

Men's 40+
Tom Travers (Ohio)
Dave Peck (Texas)
Roger Miller
Michael Anderson
Walter Schramm
Gary Tanko
Steve Wattz
Jim Luzar
CONSO: Ed Fink

Men's 45+
Ruben Gonzalez (N.Y.)
Tom Travers (Ohio)
Ed Garabedian
Gary Mazaroff
Dominic Palmieri
Mark Baron
David Azuma
Jim Luzar
CONSO: Sam Machotka

Men's 45+ A/B
Ron Fowler (Ga.)
Keith Butts (Texas)
Steve Conn
Leo Klimaitis
Terry Wells
Clarence Simmons
Robert Frazier
David Gross
CONSO: Donald Alkins

Men's 45+ C/D
Donne Crowe (La.)
David Carter (Texas)
Jerry Williams
John Canale
George Teabout
Gregory Curd
Ottis Campbell
Carlton Banks
CONSO: Randy Williams

Men's 50+
Ed Remen (N.C.)
Jim Bailey (N.C.)
Greg Hasty
Bill Welaj
Bill Wolfe
Bill Young
Tom McKie
Gary Peterson
CONSO: Larry Pickard

Men's 55+
Ron Galbreath (Pa.)
Roger Wehrle (Ga.)
Ray Huss
Mickey Bellah
Luke St. Onge
Fred Letter
Warren Reuther
Bob Coe
CONSO: Tom Fehsel

Men's 55+ A/B
Paul Lowe (Texas)
Graig Shaak (Fla.)
Tom Fehsel
Bob Coe
Al Miller
Kyle Smith
Wayne Toyne
Peyton Dorsett

Men's 55+ C/D
Grant Morrill (Pa.)
George Scheffel (Mich.)
John Chromy
Fred Howlet
John Ramsay
Ridlon Kiphart
Bill Reese
Bill Dunn
CONSO: Bill Dunn

Men's 60+
Lee Graff (Ore.)
Rex Lawler (Ind.)
Charlie Garfinkel
Bob Webster
Carl Smith
Jerry Holly
Al Miller
Bobby Sanders
CONSO: Lee Mayz

Men's 65+
Otis Chapman (Ohio)
Don Alt (Fla.)
Kenneth Moore
Don Maxey
Ridlon Kiphart
Rex Benham
Eugene Ferris
Jim Stahl
CONSO: Marvin Cunningham

Men's 70+
Barney Friesth (S.D.)
Chuck Lake (Va.)
Bob Englumd
Joe Lambert
Bill Reese
Simon Wiederman
Stan Fugate
CONSO: Bill Reese

Men's 75+
Earl Acuff (N.C.)
Nick Sans (Calif.)
Robert McAdam
George Spear Jr.
Cam Snowberger
J.W. Studak
CONSO: Cam Snowberger

Men's 80+
Earl Acuff (N.C.)
George Spear Jr.
Charles Russell
Ben Marshall
Harry Steinman


WOMEN'S OPEN
Cheryl Gudinas (Ill.)
Laura Fenton (Ore.)
Robin Levine (Calif.)
Jackie Paraiso (Calif.)
Rhonda Rajsich
Kersten Hallander
Phyllis Morris
Sadie Gross

Women's Elite
Denise Mock (Texas)
Johanna Shattuck (Colo.)
Brenda White
Jennifer Dering
Ines Queiros
Shari Coplen
Stephanie Munger
Michelle Wiragh

Women's A
Janel Tisinger (Calif.)
Esther McNany (Ct.)
Kelly Goddard
Lori Edmonds
Lindsay Deutsch
Jessica Loew
Marsha Kazarosian
Christina Pastori
CONSO: Sandy Sexton

Women's B
Michelle Poage (Alaska)
Renee Kemp (Md.)
Diane Taylor Whitman
Alyse Cori
Marquita Molina
Melissa Young
Susan Reichel
Debbi Misanin
CONSO: Christa Davis

Women's C
Cheryl Kirk (Ill.)
Beth Rist (La.)
Anne DeBose 
Janice Kennedy
Alice Avechen
Tish Seballos
Gail Gabrysh
Lynn Hiorns
CONSO: Alice Avechen

Women's D
Pamela Trent (Md.)
Ramona Vonondarza
Samaria Bennett
Denielle Mathieu 
Sharon Hardy

Women's 24-
Kerri Stoffregen (Ill.)
Shannon Feaster (N.Y.)
Brooke Crawford
Sadie Gross
Lauren Deutsch
Sara Borland
Rhonda Rajsich
Lindsay Deutsch
CONSO: Lindsay Deutsch

Women's 24- A/B
Janel Tisinger
Brenna Bilbrough

Women's 25+
Heather Dunn (Vt.)
Johanna Shattuck (Colo.)
Holly Remen
Stephanie Munger
Lori Lepow
Jen Yokota
Patty Powl
Angela Burth
CONSO: Jennifer Dering

Women's 25+ A/B
Lia Sullins (Texas)
Veronica Ramirez (Texas)
Kristen Sutek
Nathania Stewart
Esther McNany
Catherine Radloff
Ann Doucette
Christina Pastori
CONSO: Michelle Poage

Women's 25+ C/D
Lynn Hiorns (Ill.)
Carla Thompson (Colo.)

Women's 30+
Kim Russell (Tenn.)
Michelle Wiragh (Va.)
Lorraine Galloway
Karin Sobotta
B.J. Ehrgott
Doreen Fowler
Jill Mitchell
Kelley Beane
CONSO: Patty Powl

Women's 35+
Holly Remen (N.C.)
Karin Sobotta (Wash.)
Debbie Tisinger
Laura Fenton
B.J. Ehrgott
Denise Mock
Jean Trimble
Lorraine Galloway
CONSO: Terri Straka

Women's 35+ A/B
Gladys Leonard (Va.)
Lori Edmonds (Neb.)
Kelly Goddard
Sheri Zappala
Sheri Kinnaman
Debbi Misanin
Susan Reichel
Jessica Loew
CONSO: Cherie Barth

Women's 35+ C/D
Janice Kennedy (Ga.)
Beth Rist (La.)
Alice Avchen
Pamela Trent
Cheryl Kirk
Judy Mesecher
Julia Dial
Gail Gabrysh
CONSO: Gail Gabrysh

Women's 40+
Chris Evon (Ill.)
Janell Marriott (R.I.)
Debbie Tisinger
Susan Pfahler
Jean Trimble
Malia Bailey
Linda Moore
Debbie Chaney
CONSO: Jill Mitchell

Women's 45+
Janell Marriott (R.I.)
Raymie Roland (Calif.)
Marsha Berry
Karen Key
Debbie Chaney
Brenda White
Agatha Falso
Jere Luttner
CONSO: Patti Nishimura

Women's 45+ A/B
Carmen Alatorre-Martin (Va.)
Donna Cooper (Texas)
Sharon Barrett
Dianne Pratt
Shirley Parsons
Cynthia Huge
Patricia Schof
CONSO: Shirley Parsons

Women's 45+ C/D
Linda George (Kan.)
Jane Bentley (N.M.)
JoJo Lindquist

Women's 50+
Gerri Stoffregen (Ohio)
Sharon Hastings-Welty (Ore.)
Agatha Falso
Terry Rogers
Mildred Gwinn
Shirley Parsons
Sharon Huczek
CONSO: Sharon Huczek

Women's 55+
Gerri Stoffregen (Ohio)
Sharon Hastings-Welty (Ore.)
Mildred Gwinn
Nidia Funes
Gail Schaefer
Sylvia Sawyer
CONSO: Sylvia Sawyer

Women's 55+ A/B
Marquita Molina (Calif.)
Gail Schaefer (Md.)
Louise Graham
LaVonne Kohlhepp
Annabelle Kovar

Women's 60+
Jo Kenyon (Fla.)
Susan Embry (Calif.)
Annabelle Kovar
LaVonne Kohlhepp
Audrey Lenroot

Women's 65+
Jo Kenyon (Fla.)
Lola Markus (Ill.)
Mary Low Acuff

Women's 75+
Mary Low Acuff (N.C.)
Christine Stephens (Texas)