Winnipeg, MB CAN, WPH Press, 5/13/13
Saturday in Winnipeg
Men’s Open Finals
Dave Munson arrived in Canada a man on a mission. After losing in last year’s final, Munson left nothing to chance in this year’s final against the R48 #15 Abe Montijo. Munson attacked early and often, ending rallies from the front and back court with both hands and refusing to allow Montijo into the match. Munson cruised in two games, earning one of the biggest titles of his career. “He was just a beast and too good,” stated Montijo after the match.
Final: D. Munson def Montijo 21-12, 21-5
Dave Munson teamed with his brother Mike to slam the open brackets, ousting Montijo and Kevin Kopchuk for the title.
Women’s Open Final
Maria Dugas demonstrated the promise that she first exhibited as a teen, running away with the women’s open singles title by defeating two Canadian legends. The day after toppling Lisa Fraser-Gilmore, Dugas was equally impressive in defeating Jessica Gawley, overpowering the veteran to win in two games.
Final: Dugas def Gawley 21-16, 21-10
Junior Singles
In a match-up of two of the brightest junior stars in the sport, Ivan Burgos stunned Michael Gaulton in two games to take the prestigious 19-and-under title.
JR WPH Clinic
Top-ranked Canadian Race 4 Eight pro Ryan Bowler and the Fred Lewis Foundation Executive Director Abraham Montijo teamed up for a sensational JR WPH Canada clinic. Coaches Bowler and Montijo worked with seven Canadian juniors on proper pre-shoot positioning and footwork, followed by ceiling, sidearm, serve, and back wall stroke technique. Following the instruction, the juniors played King of the Court points with one another and the pros. “The clinic was really awesome and the kids really enjoyed it,” stated Coach Bowler. “It’s really cool to be able to spend time with the juniors and help them with their games. Some promising young players participated!”
To follow the brackets and results from the 2017 Canadian National Handball Championships, click here
Scroll down on this thread for updates and recaps from the week in Winnipeg.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Winnipeg, MB CAN, WPH Press, 5/12/13
Friday in Winnipeg
Men’s Open Semifinals
Chicago’s Dave Munson faced Canadian veteran Shane Vigen in the upper bracket men’s open singles semifinal, with the Windy City sharp shooter trying to overcome the Great White North’s speed demon.
Vigen started well against Munson, building a 13-9 lead in game one, but Munson found his form, coming back in game in and cruising in game two to advance to the final for the second consecutive year. “Dave really upped his game, hitting kill shots from all over the court to take control of the match,” stated WPH reporter Ryan Bowler.
The bottom bracket semifinal pitted Race 4 Eight stalwart Abraham Montijo and less well-known but highly capable Mike Munson. Montijo and Mike Munson played virtually even throughout both of their games, with the lead changing hand several times. Montijo was able to play his best at the biggest moments of both games, advancing to the final in his first trip to Canada. “Abe and Mike really went back and forth in both games, but Abe was able to execute big shots late in both games to overcome Mike,” stated Bowler.
Semifinals
D. Munson def Vigen 21-15, 21-5
Montijo vs. M. Munson 21-15, 21-17
Final (Saturday): D. Munson vs. Montijo
Women’s Open Semifinal
Canadian women’s legends met the future of the Canadian women’s handball, with top-seeded Jessica Gawley and Lisa-Fraser-Gilmore representing more than 50 combined years of Canadian handball excellence and their opponents seeking to carve their paths of Canadian handball stardom.
Jessica Gawley proved she still is one of the top women to beat in Canada in the upper bracket semifinal, dispatching of Leslie Amminson in two games to reach the women’s singles final.
Maria Dugas met one of her mentors and idols in the bottom bracket final, as Dugas faced the Canadian handball ageless ambassador, Lisa Fraser-Gilmore. Youth prevailed against experience, as Dugas overcame Fraser-Gilmore in two games to advance to the final.
Semifinals
Gawley def Amminson 21-8, 21-5
Dugas def Fraser-Gilmore
Final (Saturday): Gawley vs. Dugas
Men’s 1-Wall Big Ball Singles
Race 4 Eight pro and WPH reporter Ryan Bowler picked up his first Canadian National title, defeating his protégé Michael Gaulton in the final.
Thank you to WPH reporter Ryan Bowler for the updates from Winnipeg.
To follow the brackets and results from the 2017 Canadian National Handball Championships, click here
Stay tuned to this thread throughout the week for updates and recaps from Winnipeg.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Winnipeg, MB CAN, WPH Press, 5/11/13- The University of Winnipeg and the Canadian Handball Association were proud to present the 2017 Canadian National Handball Championships, featuring the best handball players from Canada.
Men’s Open Singles
Dave Munson entered the 2017 Canadian National Handball Championships having lost in a tiebreaker to Daniel Cordova in last year’s men’s open singles final. Munson would be seeking his first Canadian Open men’s singles title, but would face a strong field that included Canada’s top-ranked Race 4 Eight star Ryan Bowler, Mid-America regional champion Ivan Burgos, Shane Vigen, Michael Gaulton, and Mike Munson.
Quarterfinals
Top-seeded Dave Munson had little difficulty with former Canadian prodigy John Audet, downing the hard-hitting Niagra Falls man in two games.
Edmonton’s fleet-footed Shane Vigen faced current USHA 17-and-under champion Michael Gaulton on the most exciting quarterfinal match of the morning. Vigen used his experience and shot making to take game one and held match point in game two. Vigen was unable to close out the junior star in game two, as Gaulton forced a tiebreaker with several clutch kills. Vigen remained composed, eliminating the youngster in a close tiebreaker.
Mike Munson dashed the dreams of Canada’s highest-ranked Race 4 Eight star Ryan Bowler, never allowing Bowler into the match and putting a quick end to his Canadian National Championship dreams in two games.
Race 4 Eight #15 pro Abraham Montijo faced Canada’s youngest sensation Ivan Burgos in the final quarterfinal match of the morning, with Burgos brimming with confidence following an exceptional spring that saw him capture the Mid Atlantic Regional open title in Columbus, OH. Montijo was tested against the youngster but prevailed in two tight games. “Ivan really pushed Abe in two pretty close games,” stated WPH reporter Ryan Bowler. “It was a great showing for him (Ivan) and a great experience for him to be in the court in a competitive game with Abe.”
Men’s Open Singles Quarterfinals
D. Munson def Audet 21-11, 21-5
Vigen def Gaulton 21-12, 20-21, 11-7
M. Munson def Bowler 21-10, 21-10
Montijo def I. Burgos 21-15, 21-16
Semifinals (Friday)
D. Munson vs. Vigen
Montijo vs. M. Munson
Women’s Open Singles
Former Women’s National Canadian champion Jessica Gawley and current WPH Women’s Race 4 Eight top 8 pro Jessica Gawley landed the top seed in the strong women’s draw, with rising star Maria Dugas, Canadian legend Lisa Fraser-Gilmore, and rising star Leslie Amminson on the short list of favorites to capture the 2017 title.
Women’s Open Singles Quarterfinals
Gawley def Lovie
Amminson def Kopchuk
Fraser-Gilmore def Wilson
Dugas def Dawe
Semifinals (Friday)
Gawley vs. Amminson
Dugas vs. Fraser-Gilmore
To follow the brackets and results from the 2017 Canadian National Handball Championships, click here
Stay tuned to this thread throughout the week for updates and recaps from Winnipeg.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer