Day 3: Sunday
Portland, OR, WPH Press, 10/6/24
Final: M. Mulkerrins def Ure 15-3, 15-7
Martins Mulkerrins entered the 2024 Portland Classic final aiming to extend several streaks, as he had won four consecutive Race events and two consecutive Portland Classics. Twenty-two year old Ray Ure became the youngest finalist in Race history when he defeated Lucho Cordova in Saturday’s semifinals and would be aiming for his first Race title.
Mulkerrins started the match with a double fault and Ure capitalized on the uncharacteristic errors, scoring two quick points with laser serves. “Those serves are something,” Mulkerrins would later say.
Mulkerrins gained control of the first game from there, scoring fifteen of the final sixteen points of the game by not allowing Ure to set up and blast the ball. Mulkerrins used an overhand lob serve into the right wall to force Ure to hit overhand, then jammed him during the rallies with scorching power. “I knew the side wall glass was difficult and I was able to drop ceiling balls into the back left corner,” Mulkerrins would say.
After Ure took a brief lead in the second, Mulkerrins took over, building a 14-4 lead by continuing to keep Ure from taking full swings and an impressive display of court coverage and back wall kills. A Mulkerrins mistake at 14-4 allowed Ure back into the box but Mulkerrins ended the three-point Ure streak to win his eleventh Race title, fifth Race title in a row, and third R48 Portland Classic in a row.
“Unbelievable to see these young guys,” Mulkerrins told ESPN’s Kara Mack in reference to Ure, Mark Doyle, Ivan Burgos, and others. “It’s really freshened it up and put everyone in jeopardy. Portland is the first place I ever came to in America and I love it here and I seem to get the luck every time I’m here. “It’s great to have Diarmuid here and now Darrah and Michelle moved out here. I got a lot of messages from the students and our club. I want to thank everybody, Conor Casey and the WPH and the volunteers who make this all happen.”
Playoffs
Sean Lenning was impressive in the fifth place playoffs, defeating Danos Cordova on Saturday and Killian Carroll in the fifth place final on Sunday. Lenning’s power and fly kill game were too much for Carroll to overcome, earning Lenning his first top five finish of the season.
“It’s all about the workout, not winning or losing,” Lenning would say after the match. “I hope to get my body healthy for next season.”
David Fink bounced back from his round of 16 loss on Friday to defeat Shorty Ruiz, Ivan Burgos, and Vic Perez in the ninth place playoffs.
“I am happy to have won three good matches after losing on Friday,” stated Fink. “I have told myself to be more aggressive and go for more kills and I think after a slow start I did that today.”
5th place final: Lenning def Carroll 25-16
9th place final: Fink def Perez 25-8
17th place final: Brule def Palma 25-18
2024 Race 4 Eight Portland Classic Finishes
1st: M. Mulkerrins
2nd: Ure
3rd: Doyle/Lucho
5th: Lenning
6th: Carroll
7th: Danos/Canales
9th: Fink
10th: Perez
11th: Burgos/D. Mulkerrins
13th: Esser/Langmack/Ruiz/Hernandez
17th: Brule
Women’s Open Singles
Esser def T. Davis 21-17, 21-8
Men’s Open Oregon State Championship
English def Pimentel 21-5, 21-10
Conor Casey Wins the WPH Lifetime Achievement Award
The WPH staff, players, and board of directors were honored to present Portland Classic tournament director Conor Casey with the highest accolade in the WPH – the WPH Lifetime Achievement Award. The WPH is so grateful for Conor’s selfless year-round efforts, countless hours spent organizing and directing before, during, and after the tournament, and willingness to host the best players in the world. The WPH is very fortunate to have Conor as a huge part of our team and we look forward to many more Portland Classics.
Thank you!
Thank you to WPH Lifetime Award Winner Conor Casey for organizing and hosting another outstanding Race 4 Eight Portland Classic. Thank you to Mike Casey, Mary Casey, Kathy Delaney, Nick Flores, Jeff Kastner, and all of the Portland group for welcoming us to the Multnomah Athletic Club. Thank you to MAC courts manager and WPH friend Hank Marcus for working tirelessly behind the scenes. And of course, thank you to the best broadcast team and staff of Kris Gurrad, Linda Manning, Che Lowenstein, Kara Mack, Jeff Kastner, David Vincent, Lolita de Vincent, and David Fink. This crew is the best in the business, working around the clock and doing the work of 100 people to provide incredible coverage throughout every event.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer