Portland, OR, WPH Press, 10/14/18- The famed Multnomah Athletic Club played host to the second annual Portland Classic/R48 8 Pre Qualifier, featuring 78 Northwest superstars in what has quickly become one of the highlights on the Pacific Northwest handball calendar.
Former Elite 8 invite and MAC sponsored Aaron Garner proved that he still has the game to compete against the best, demolishing Washington’s Andy Romanchock and Oregon’s Stephen Stenberg by a combined score of 82-15 en route to the final. “Garner used a great Z serve to force Stephen to play defense from 38 feet,” stated WPH reporter Nick Flores. “Any mishit from Stephen was a point for Garner. Garner was sharp, no hand errors, and owned the right corner.”
Dylan Hernandez ousted Kyle English in the bottom bracket semifinal, overcoming a slow start in game one to tie the game at 16. The players traded side outs and points to 20-all, with Hernandez able to climb over the line to seize a one-game lead. “Hernandez took control in game two, putting on a one-sided offensive exhibition, blasting ace serves and flat kills to hold a gassed English to just five points,” reported Flores.
Garner was in control in the final against Hernandez, leading 15-8 in game one and closing out the rising star 21-10. Garner continued to apply pressure in game two and survived a late second game Hernandez rally to win his first Portland Classic and R48 Pre Qualifier.
With the victory, Garner earned a travel stipend to the R48 8 event of his choice, meaning that Double Aron is back on the tour!
Final: Aa. Garner def Hernandez 21-10, 21-15
Thank you to Portland Classic tournament director Conor Casey for another outstanding Portland Classic. Thank you to WPH reporter Nick Flores for the updates from the MAC!
To follow all of the brackets and results from the 2018 Portland Classic/R48 8 Pre Qualifier, go HERE
To enter the 2018 R48 8 Tucson Memorial, November 2-4, 2018, go HERE
2017/18 R48 and WR48 Match Analytics HERE
Handball Terminology + Instruction and R48 Rules HERE
Race 4 Eight Pro Player Bios HERE
Full Race 4 Eight 8 Preview HERE
WPH Power Rankings: here
DF’s R48 Fun Facts and Trends: here
Race 4 Eight History of Champions and Finalists: here
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer