Louisiana Racquetball Events Information

Rhonda Rajsich Revels in the Big Easy


Claims 2007 Chemtech / Ektelon Pro Nationals Title

New Orleans– Rhonda Rajsich held onto the #1 spot on the women’s pro racquetball tour by capturing the 2007 Chemtech/Ektelon Pro Nationals in the Big Easy last weekend at the Elmwood Fitness Center in Harahan. Phoenix-based Rajsich dominated her bracket without dropping a single game until the finals, where she faced 17-year-old Mexican junior champion Paola Longoria of San Luis Potosi. Rajsich overpowered Longoria, who made history as the youngest player to ever advance to the quarterfinals of the US OPEN championships in 2004, and defeated the young star in four games (11-4, 11-3, 5-11, 11-8). This is the first semifinals and finals appearance on the WPRO tour for Longoria and the second #1 season ending ranking for Rajsich.

 

On Thursday before the tournament began, WPRO pros toured the affected areas of Hurricane Katrina, which struck New Orleans in August of 2005, and witnessed the devastation left in its wake.

 

“The Katrina tour set the tone for the championship and left the WPRO pros in awe of what New Orleans residents have endured. It really put into perspective how fortunate most of us are to have a home to return to, and the WPRO was honored to contribute in any way we could to promote the Big Easy as a destination spot that still has a lot to offer visitors and residents,” said Shannon Feaster, Commissioner of the WPRO. The French Quarter and Bourbon Street are flourishing and Jazz Fest, which took place the weekend before and during Pro Nationals, was as popular as ever!

 

Tournament directors Al Schof and Beth Sacco put on a great tournament with help from Anthony Zeringue, Al Reagle and Pattie Schof. The proceeds from the event benefited the local affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation. The events and matches were broadcast live online throughout the weekend courtesy of Racquetball Online (www.RacquetballOnline.tv), which draws tens of thousands of viewers at a given time from all over the world.

Local specialty chemical and engineering service company, Chemtech Chemical Services, LLC (Scott D. Trahan, General Manager) and Ektelon Racquetball were the title sponsors of the WPRO Pro Nationals, which was also supported by leading printing company Crystal Clear Imaging of Harahan and the Louisiana Racquetball Association. Randy Strassel (General Manager) and Damon Kremer (Assistant General Manager) were instrumental in ensuring that Elmwood Fitness Center, a service of Ochsner, was prepared for this marquee event.

 

Jim Leslie of Bourbon House Restaurant, Mimi's Italian Restaurant, Wakefield Wines of Australia, Chambord Liqueur, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Finlandia Vodka, Herradura Tequila and Evian Water will provide exceptional hospitality to tournament players and guests throughout the weekend.  Bill Deibel and Ricky Andrew w/ Marbleized Memories are creating memorable awards for event finishers.

 

Special thanks to Pro/Sponsor Doubles event sponsors and players: Guy Keller, Charlie Hollinger, Wayne Skinner (Premier Automotive Group), Joe Brinz, Pattie Schof (Connections Magazine), and Beth Sacco (Republic Beverage Company) who competing with top pros during the Pro/Am Sponsor Doubles event to kick off the tournament on Thursday night.


The WPRO would like to thank its national tour sponsors, including: Ektelon Fireball (official ball); Python (official grip); Advocare (official supplement provider); and Racquetball Online (official webcaster).

The Tour would also like to acknowledge its official partners: Carl & Marcia Wallace of Yazoo City, Mississippi; Racquetworld (www.racquetworld.com); HEAD; Wilson Racquetball; Racquetball Academy (www.racquetballacademy.com) of Denver, Colorado; Tischer Autopark of Silver Spring, Maryland; and Chemtech Chemical Services, LLC of Geismar, Louisiana.


MEDIA:
For more information about the WPRO, contact Shannon Feaster, WPRO Commissioner, at 202/365-5504 or wprocommish@aol.com.

 

About Komen for the Cure

For more than 20 years, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure (formerly the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation) has been a global leader in the fight against breast cancer through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach programs. Working through a network of U.S. and international Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, the Komen Foundation is fighting to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by funding research grants and supporting education, screening and treatment projects in communities around the world.

During the 1990s, approximately 1.8 million women and 12,000 men were diagnosed with breast cancer, the majority of whom had no known risk factors. Learn more about the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation by visiting www.komen.org.

 

About the WPRO


The Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) is the governing body of a growing membership of the highest level professional female racquetball players in the world.  The WPRO is currently comprised of elite athletes representing over a dozen countries, including the United States, Mexico, Chile, Japan, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.  For more information about the WPRO and its players, visit www.wpro-tour.com.


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