WSMRA 2008- ÒKansas City
Here We ComeÓ
Cold but clear weather
greeted the 88 women who arrived at the Athletic Club of Overland Park, KS for
the 19th Annual WomenÕs Senior/Masters Racquetball Championships
held Jan 25-27, 2008. Players from
Alaska to Florida were anticipating 3 days of exciting competition, camaraderie
and fun.
The court action warmed
everyone up in a hurry starting with Òfun doublesÓ on Thursday afternoon. This event allowed players a chance to
meet friends and check out the courts in a relaxed atmosphere. Lots of new
faces were seen along with the usual Òold-timersÓ. Since the doubles is planned as a fund-raiser for Breast
Cancer Research, it was fitting to use the new Wilson pink ÒHopeÓ ball. All players who contributed were
entered into a raffle featuring many items donated by Wilson and over $400 was
raised which will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure¨.
Tournament check-in was held
at The Athletic Club on Thursday evening and all players received their
schedule, booklet, and the tournament souvenir, a brown hoody with a beautiful
sunflower logo in honor of our location in ÒThe Sunflower StateÓ. Tournament
Director Mike Wedel discussed the rules and procedures specific to the
tournament. Some age groups were
combined for maximum playing opportunities. The larger divisions were broken
into two flights and after flight competition was completed, a round of 8
playoff would be held with the top 4 from each flight, with seeding determined
by flight position. Semifinals and
finals in these divisions, as well as final matches in other divisions would be
played on Sunday morning, so everyone would have time to play and/or watch
before heading home. Matches were
played in blocks of time so most players would have time off to relax or do
some sight-seeing in Kansas City.
Friday morning it was time
to get on the courts and play some serious racquetball, as competition in all
age groups got underway.
Tournament director Mike Wedel and his wife Debbie manned the tournament
desk and kept everything running smoothly throughout the weekend, with help
from the WSMRA Tournament Committee of Terry Rogers, Merijean Kelley and Nancy
Kronenfeld, and usual volunteer Paula Sperling. This was the first time that the WSMRA had used the R2Sports
tournament management software and all agreed that it was a huge help, along
with the projector lent by the USAR. The Athletic Club Operations Manager Jeff
Freeman did many little things and kept the food coming!
When not playing, players
had time to eat lunch, watch other matches and of course browse through the
items offered in the silent auction. The auction featured a raft of merchandise
from our National Sponsor Wilson, merchandise from Ektelon donated by Terry
Rogers and Susan Pfahler, and health products donated by local player Lucy del
Sarto. WSMRA Board member Vickey Utter kept the auction moving along.
Besides the court action,
the highlight of the weekend was the Saturday night banquet, held at The
Athletic Club. It was a relaxed affair featuring barbeque for dinner and a top
local band ÒToyboxÓ playing for dancing.
After dinner, we had various presentations and a short business meeting.
The results of the auction were announced: over $1100 was raised, with half
going to the USAR scholarship fund.
Awards were given to the player who came the furthest, Katy Wood from
Alaska; and to the most numerous group of players, those from Illinois. Then
everyone hit the dance floor, whether or not they had to play in the morning.
The band ÒToyboxÓ was great and all good time
was had by all the Òcrazy little womenÓ --- racquetball players.
After 2.5 days of intense
competition, by early Sunday afternoon winners had been decided in all
divisions. All players who placed
received a beautiful trophy featuring original metal sculpture by Kansas metal
artists ÒTrace of CopperÓ, from the ÒKansas
OriginalsÓ Gallery. In 35+,
Renee Roux (IL) took first place in a combined division with the 40+. In 35+ B/C, Victoria Pickard (TN)
finished first on total points over Alicia Paoletta (CA). In 40+, Jean Halahan (NY) swept her
matches without dropping a single game, while Debbie Beldring (CO) took second.
The 45+ division had two flights and the top seeds met in the finals. In a reversal of fortune, last yearÕs
45+ runner-up Debra Tisinger-Moore (CA) beat last yearÕs champion Janet Tyler
(FL). In 45+ B/C Lynne Weisbart
(IL) took first on total points over the top seed Kate Davis (NM). The 50+
division had two flights and the finals were a repeat of the 2007 finals, with
the same outcome, as Susan Pfahler (FL), repeated as champion, defeating Linda
Moore (NE). The 55+ division also had two flights and in the highlight, and
very last, match of the tournament, Debbie Chaney (IN) beat Diana Matthews (NE)
in a grueling finals match that went for well over an hour! In 55+ B/C Debbie Alsup (NM) beat out
Karla Barella (NM) on total points.
Merijean Kelley (CA) won the 60+ division on total points over Margaret
Hoff (IL). Mildred Gwinn (NC)
repeated as the 65+ champion on total points over Gloria Piscoran (OR). In 75+, Lola Markus (IL) took first and
Reta Harring (WI) second.
The WSMRA would like to
thank the owners, management and staff of the Athletic Club of Overland Park;
Tournament Director Mike Wedel; our National Sponsor Wilson Racquetball; and
all of the other individuals and businesses who supported this tournament. All
the sponsors are listed below. This tournament has been going strong since
1990. It features round-robin
brackets in age groups from 35 on up and regularly attracts some of the best
players in the country. You are
never out of this tournament; you play everyone in your flight, usually at least
5-6 matches and sometimes as many as 10!
We also offer B/C divisions for those less experienced in tournament
competition. The WomenÕs Senior/Masters Racquetball Association (WSMRA)
sponsors the tournament every year with support from our major sponsor, Wilson
Racquetball.
The 20th annual tournament
will be held in the Los Angeles area at The Spectrum Club of Canoga Park, Jan
16-19, 2009.
2008
Tournament Sponsors
Kansas State Racquetball Association
Team
Mannatech/Lucy DelSarto (913/709-6059)
Mona.Vie/Debbi Wedel
(913/219-4428)
Brenda White