Pensacola, FL, WPH Press, 1/13/19- The WPH and USHA proudly collaborated to sponsor the 2019 Argo Classic on the campus of the University of West Florida in Pensacola, hosting college players from the University of West Florida, Missouri State University, the University of Minnesota, the University of Texas, and Lake Forest College. The R48’s Flying Cordovas were on site to play and coach clinics at UWF’s sensational HLS Facility, while the USHA’s Gary Cruz led referee’s and coaching certification clinics.
Lucho and Danos highlighted the men’s open singles field, with R48 rising star Max Langmack and collegiate stars Garrett Bacon, Jeremy Aguilar, and Ross Colyer joining the Flying Cordovas.
Top-seeded Lucho advanced to the final in the upper bracket with ease on his former home court on the UWF campus, while Danos was pushed to the limit in the bottom bracket semifinals against Langmack. Langmack seized a 19-18 first-game lead against the R48 #3 before Danos rattled off three quick points to escape a one-game deficit. “I just couldn’t get into that intensity,” Danos would say to WPH reporter K3 after game one. Danos would not cruise in game two, as Langmack continued to push the most recent R48 champion before falling, 21-14.
Danos picked up his game in Sunday’s final, avenging his Atlanta R48 8 finals loss to his older brother by using his serve and explosiveness to dictate rallies. With the two-game finals sweep, Danos has defeated R48 #1 Killian Carroll, R48 #2 Sean Lenning, and R48 #4 Lucho Cordova in the past two weeks, all in two games!
“We had some good rallies but my brother missed some important shots,” stated Danos. “I kept him off balance with hops and good serves, so I think that made the difference.”
“I’m proud of the work the Handball Club officers put into making this tournament possible,” stated UWF handball program coach, Michael Morgan. “They put in a lot of work in a very short time. Having Luis and Daniel come out is always a treat for our players and spectators. Seeing them has definitely inspired our players even more to prepare for the Collegiate Nationals next month. A big thank you to the WPH for their continued support, we are looking forward to a bigger and better tournament next year.”
“I’m excited that this year’s tournament brought in the most players we’ve ever had,” stated UWF handball club president, Courtney Butler.
Men’s Open Singles
Quarterfinals
Lucho Cordova bye
Ross Colyer def Garrett Bacon 21-18, 21-15
Max Langmack def Jeremy Aguilar 21-19, 21-13
Danos Cordova def Denny Schmidt 21-4, 21-4
Semifinals
Lucho def Colyer 21-5, 21-7
Danos def Langmack 21-19, 21-14
Final: Danos def Lucho 21-17, 21-11
Men’s Open Doubles Final: Danos/Colyer def Lucho/Bacon 21-20, 21-19
Follow all of the brackets and results from the 2019 Argo Classic Presented by the WPH/USHA HERE
JR WPH Argo Classic Clinic
The Flying Cordovas held multiple instructional clinics at the 2019 Argo Classic, as the R48 #3 and R48 #4 stars divided 18 collegiate players into small groups to discuss handball fundamentals and strategies. “Danos taught the fly kill and off-hand techniques, like throwing properly by turning your torso through with your opposite hand,” stated WPH superstar reporter K3. “Lucho focused on the ceiling fist ball and off-hand development.”
“The clinics went really well,” stated R48 8 Portland champion and three-time R48 finalist Danos. “We split the players into advanced and beginner groups and all of the groups had a great time.”
“I really enjoyed having the pros come out and help with the clinics,” stated UWF’s club officer, Ashley Gilliam
“The Flying Cordovas are handball rock stars and the WPH is thrilled to have Lucho and Danos kickoff the 2019 JR WPH Road Show at UWF,” barked WPH Development Director David Fink. “Not only are the Cordova brothers human highlight reels, but they are also two of the game’s greatest instructors, as these highlight reels have a tremendous grasp of the strategies and techniques to help players of all levels.”
Thank you to the WPH and USHA for providing handball equipment and supplies for the Argo Classic and the UWF Handball Team, as well as providing world-class instruction and certification from Gary Cruz and the Flying Cordovas.
Huge thank you to WPH superstar reporter Kyra “K3” Vidas for all of the pictures and quotations from the 2019 Argo Classic.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer