Texas Junior Racquetball Team
Don't forget to sign-up for the 2008 Texas Junior Racquetball Team. You can print an application by clicking here or you can send an e-mail to Lance Gilliam to have one sent to you. Membership to the team does not cost any money, but does have some rules and guidelines. There will be some Juniors only tournaments, camps, and opportunities for kids to play racquetball all over Texas. Once we can get a good number of kids signed up we can start to organize more events. Keep checking back as we will keep all the kids and parents updated on our programs and tournaments. The Junior Team Texas Logo page is here.

Juniors Compete at Texas State Singles & Begin Fundraising
Maverick Athletic Club--Arlington, TX
Many of the top junior players in Texas came out to play in the 2008 TXRA Texas State Singles Racquetball Championships in Arlington, TX at the historic Maverick Athletic Club. The Boy's 18-under Championship Finals finished in a close tie-breaker as Jon Lanford (Wichita Falls) defeated William Craig (San Antonio) 15-12, 8-15, 11-9. Jon was also the winner of a Championship Custom Beltbuckle from tournament sponsor K.O. Trading. To see an article in Jon's hometown newspaper, click here.

The Boy's 12-under Championship Finals was also played on Sunday as hard hitting Correy Arriaga (San Antonio) defeated Jorge Contreras (Haltom City) 15-4, 15-0.

There was also a meeting with parents, kids and members of the Texas Junior Council to discuss plans for sending a team of Texas junior players to the 2008 USA Racquetball Junior Olympics, June 25-29, 2008 in Concord, California. The team consists of 9-10 Texas junior players, a Junior Team Head Coach, and possibly an Assistant Coach. The discussion also included:

TXRA Junior Summer Camp
Maverick Athletic Club--Arlington, TX
The TXRA held their Junior Summer Camp & Tournament at the Maverick Athletic Club, July 27-29, 2007. Nearly 25 kids came from all over the state for a chance to improve their game with professional instruction from Head Coach Woody Clouse. The camp was a chance for kids and parents to receive the highest level of training for racquetball skills, training techniques, and mental strategy. The camp was free for the kids, but they had to sell $10 raffle tickets to help pay for the camp expenses. Nearly $3,000 was raised and the winner of the all expense paid trip to Disney World was to be announced at the Saturday night pool party.

Day One--The camp began with registration on Friday night and some very articulate mental training exercises. Kyle Welch was named as the official assistant to Coach Woody and helped him throughout the weekend. Parents also volunteered to help and a big thanks to Assistan Coaches: Mike Welch, Jaime Contreras, Marty Ahoumada, Joey Yelverton, Phyliss Claire, Peter Kendrick, Lance Gilliam, and Jeff Franco.

Day Two: Saturday began with early morning stretching techniques, warm-up drills and some video analysis of each child's stroke. Coach Clouse evaluated the kids on video and showed them ways to improve their control and shot selection. Most of the kids had some background and general knowledge of the game and were anxious to play. After a nice lunch, the kids were then split up in groups based on their age, skill level, and experience. Assistant Coaches then supervised the kids as they played a round robin format mini-tournament. As they day came to a close, Coach Clouse rounded up the kids for a brief meeting and cool down session. This was a chance for the kids to ask any questions and seek any additional information about the topics taught on Saturday. Then it was time for the Saturday night pool party and bar-b-que cookout. All the kids and parents were treated to hamburgers and hotdogs out by the pool to end the day on fun note.

Day Three: Sunday was a chance for the kids to test their skills as the camp came to a close. Before the kids split up in groups to play, another session of stretching and warming up was to follow. Coach Clouse emphasized the importance of good sportsmanship and having fun while on the court. The tournament began and all the courts were used as matches would go on until lunch time.
After a short lunch break the kids were then given a special awards ceremony recognizing the tournament winners as well as awards for sportsmanship, most improved and honorable mentions. Coach Clouse then presented each junior with an autographed copy of his book entitled, "Winning Racquetball".

Overall the camp was a huge success and all of the kids agreed that Coach Clouse would have to come back and do it again. Thanks to the Maverick, Woody Clouse, Amy Gilliam, Jennifer Allen, and Leo Vasquez for assisting with the camp. Another camp will be held in June 6-8, 2008 at the Maverick Athletic Club. Look for details soon.

2007 TXRA Summer Camp Attendees

 

State Singles Record Attendance For Juniors
Maverick Athletic Club--Arlington, TX
The 2007 Texas State Singles Racquetball Championships were held March 16-18, 2007 at the Maverick Athletic Club in Arlington, TX. There was plenty of excitement as 38 juniors signed up to play and compete in age divisions as young as 8-under and as old as 14-under for both boys and girls. All of the kids also received a Junior Team Texas Shirt as part of their involvement in the tournament. Parents volunteered to help with scoring and kept the juniors running on time. In the end, Lance Gilliam finished up the night with a special awards ceremony and all the kids were awarded a trophy in all divisions for all finishers. This was a great experience for all the kids and parents involved and this was a sign that kids do have an interest if parents will just make the effort to sign-up their kids and bring them to the tournaments.

 

The highlight for most of the kids was a special appearance by 3x US OPEN Champion, and 3x World Champion, Kane Waselenchuk. Kane hung out with the kids all weekend, signing autographs, answering hundreds of questions and playing some basketball with the kids. Then all the juniors were given special VIP treatment as the front row seats were reserved for them as they watched Kane play a special exhibition match against local pro Mike Guidry.
"It was great to see all the little smiling faces," said Kane. "One of the biggest reasons I came was to show the kids that racquetball can be just as fun as soccer, baseball, or any other sport they are playing now."

Special thanks to sponsors Doug McCarthy, T.J. Navarte, and Bob McAdams for funding the shirts and the trophies for all the kids. Also to all the parents and players who helped keep the juniors organized throughout the tournament. If you are interested in helping with the juniors at the Maverick please send an e-mail to Leo Vasquez or Cheryl Bird for the next event information. For all the final results visit the tournament page at: http://www.r2sports.com/tourney.asp?TID=1968


Corsicana Daily Sun
Published: June 01, 2007 09:57 pm
IGC: Multi-talented
Rice do-it-all a racquetball champion
From Staff Reports

Jansen Allen’s work on the racquetball court continues, and the Rice senior-to-be isn’t slowing down. This week, Allen, 17, won the Men’s Elite division at the U.S. National Singles held in Houston. The event took place May 23-28, and he lost only one game in five matches. Allen, the son of Jim Allen and Debra Schneider, was the second youngest person ever to win the event. “I wasn’t expecting to win, so I surprised myself,” he said.

Two years ago, Allen was the second youngest person to reach the finals of the Men’s A division at the National tournament, an accomplishment he was also the second youngest to achieve. In both events, Elk City, Okla.’s Chris Coy was the youngest, and he was Sports Illustrated’s Young Sportsman of the Year in 2000. At Houston this year, the eighth-seeded Allen defeated Ted Wilson of McDonough, Ga. 15-7, 15-11; Bryan Crosser of Grimes, Iowa 15-10, 15-10; Raymond Maestas of Albuquerque, N.M. (the No. 1 seed and 2003 winner) 15-12, 15-11; Derrick Victor of Jacksonville, Ark. 15-14, 15-13; and Eddie Pavloski of Kingwood,12-15, 15-12, 11-3. The Open division is the highest for racquetball players, followed by Elite, Allen said. He also played in the 24-under, but did not make the semifinals. Next year, it will be time to take another step. “Open is the highest, and anybody can play elite,” he said. “... (Next year) I’ll play in Open. I’ll have to if I go. You can’t play in the same division if you win it.” Allen will be playing in Junior Nationals June 20 through June 24 in Tempe, Ariz.

There is a pro racquetball tour, the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), but Allen wavers on the possibility of playing on it. He has so much more going on. At Rice this year, Allen was second-team all-district in basketball, first-team in baseball and an individual qualifier in track, tennis and golf. Currently, he is already playing summer league basketball with his schoolmates, plays lots of golf and tennis, and is pondering summer baseball. While he has excelled at racquetball, it’s not something he dedicates most of his life to. “I haven’t given (the IRT) a lot of thought,” he said. “As of right now, I wouldn’t think (playing on the tour is probable). I’ve been playing since I was 4. I practice some, but I’m busy with other sports and I don’t play everyday.“I keep improving every year, though,” he said with a chuckle.

Kids Storm Racquetball
Courts All Over Texas
Grapevine Rec, Center--Grapevine, TX
Junior players from all over the Dallas Metroplex are playing racquetball and filling up courts. Coach Cheryl Bird hosted the 5th Annual Chris Grider Memorial Tournament in Grapevine at the Grapevine Recreation Center, December 3, 2006. The event was only $20 and a toy to enter. The kids played olympic format under the supervision of Martin McDermott. The $20 went to the H.E.R.O. program which benefits families in the Grapevine and surrounding areas. The toys went to Grapevine Santa Cops. All age divisions were offered including multi-bounce.
All the kids played at least 2 games and helped each other keep score. "This was my first tournament and I had a blast", said Conner Taylor from Roanoke. Conner has been playing racquetball for about 3 months. He has an older brother, Patrick, and a younger brother, Philip who also play and practice together. The next weekend Cody, Robert, Conner and Philip all played at the Maverick tournament and placed 1st and 2nd in both divisions.

*Back Row l-r Cody Chittenden, Seiji Furukawa, Thomas Schultz, Robert Anthony, Cheryl Bird, Maya Furukawa, Conner Taylor, Grayson Hilliard
Front row l-r Philip Taylor David Boyce



\Maverick Summer Camp
Maverick Athletic Club--Arlington, TX
The Maverick Athletic Club in Arlington, TX has been hosting junior racquetball tournaments and clinics for 20 years. The Maverick has been allowing juniors to play for FREE as long as they have fun and abide by a few simple rules.
The Maverick puts on eight to ten tournaments every year and junior divisions are offered for all age groups. The last tournament was a round robin format and everyone played at least three or four matches. Bags, backpacks and eyewear were given out for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
Coach Leo Vasquez also has taught several junior clinics and camps at the Maverick for all ages. These camps are fun and give kids a chance to practice, drill and get in racquetball shape. The end of camp finishes with a graduation ceremony and party for all the kids. The next Maverick summer camp will be June 18th.
For more info about Maverick Racquetball contact Leo R Vasquez
leo@themav.com
817-275-3340