Louisiana Racquetball Events InformationWomen’s Racquetball Showcases Top Pros at Grand Slam in New Orleans
New Orleans – The best women’s professional racquetball players in the world will descend upon the Big Easy April 17–20 at the Elmwood Fitness Center - Harahan (1200 Clearview Parkway, Suite 1200) for the 2008 WPRO World Championships presented by Ektelon. This is the second time in as many years that the WPRO will end its regular season in New Orleans. Following Hurricane Katrina, ABCF and the Avon Foundation helped fund a mammography unit used in the Saint Thomas Community Health Center http://stthomaschc.org) in New Orleans. The health center is among the largest and most comprehensive primary care facilities serving both insured and uninsured patients in the New Orleans area. ABCF continues to provide grants for mammograms to those in need in New Orleans. Preview of WPRO Division: Number one ranked WPRO pro and defending champion Rhonda Rajsich (Phoenix, AZ) is on a three-tournament winning streak, having won stops in Phoenix, Miami and York heading into the WPRO World Championships. Always a threat to take home the gold, Rhonda will bring her exciting game style of gut-wrenching dives and between the legs kill shots to thrill the New Orleans crowd. There is a lot at stake for Rajsich, who hopes to take home her 3rd year end title on the WPRO circuit. She has five titles this season and is trailed closely by Cheryl Gudinas Holmes (Naperville, IL) who also has her sights set on the season-ending number one ranking. Gudinas Holmes is looking for her 7th year end title on her way to the racquetball Hall of Fame, and is currently ranked #2 on tour. Cheryl has played extremely well all season and comes to New Orleans with four tournament titles to her credit this year. There will be a strong international presence at this championship, including 18-year-old Paola Longoria from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, who had a breakthrough event in New Orleans last year as she reached the finals. She followed that up with her first Pro title at this season’s first tour event in Fayetteville, NC last September. Longoria will come into the tournament ranked sixth and will be looking to bookend the season and add to her victory in December at the IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships in the Girl’s 18 and under division. Pros from Canada, Bolivia and Japan will also compete in the WPRO division of this championship. Top contenders based on their finals appearances this season are #3 Angela Grisar from Santiago, Chile and #4 Kerri Wachtel of Cincinnati, Ohio. Also in the hunt will be #5 Kristen Bellows (Salt Lake City, UT), #7 Brenda Kyzer (Leesville, SC) and #8 Adrienne Fisher (Centerville, OH). In addition to being a Grand Slam for the WPRO with players from the, the WPRO World Championships is sanctioned as a USA Racquetball Regional Qualifier for amateurs with hundreds of players from around the country coming to participate. All are welcome to compete in the tournament and view the pro matches throughout the weekend.
To follow the tournament online check out the following sites http://www.wpro-tour.com and www.elmwoodracquetball.com. Also, to watch the matches live online visit Racquetball Online’s webcast at: http://www.racquetballonline.tv. About the WPRO The Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) is the governing body of a growing membership of the top female racquetball players in the world. The WPRO’s mission is to promote health and fitness through racquetball among women and girls around the world. About ABCF The America Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) is a non-profit organization devoted to helping women fight breast cancer through education, research, and diagnostic testing assistance programs. Through its Key to Life Breast Cancer Screening Assistance Program ABCF provides financial assistance for mammograms, diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, and limited assistance grants for biopsies to those in need. The American Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 1997 and is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. For more information about ABCF and its programs, visit www.abcf.org. More Racquetball ArticlesRacquetball Links of InterestRelated ArticlesThe Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) will conclude an exciting season of expectations and upsets with the 2007 Chemtech/Ektelon WPRO Pro NationalsComplete Racquetball articleThree of our LRA Junior’s will be competing in the 2007 US Junior National Racquetball ChampionshipsComplete Racquetball articleRhonda Rajsich held onto the #1 spot on the Women’s Pro Racquetball TourComplete Racquetball articlemore Louisiana Racquetball Events NewsSearch Louisiana Racquetball Association EventsMore Racquetball Information |