Day 3: Sunday

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Portland, OR, WPH Press, 10/12/25

Final: Mulkerrins def Burgos 15-7, 15-7

Appearing in his twenty-second Race 4 Eight final and seeking his fifteenth Race 4 Eight title, Martin Mulkerrins took control against first-time Race 4 Eight finalist Ivan Burgos in game one. Mulkerrins played under control in the first, striking three ace serves and seven-rally-ending shots against three errors. Burgos was feeling the pressure of his first final, spraying eleven errors in the first frame, many due to the pressure being applied by Mulkerrins.

Burgos played evenly with Mulkerrins through the first half of game two, erasing a 5-7 deficit with consecutive ace serves to tie the score at seven. 

“I took a timeout and a glove change at 7-7 and that helped me,” Mulkerrins would later say. “Ivan was playing fantastic and settled a lot better in game two. What we saw from 7-7, anything could happen there. I suppose having the cushion from game one helped. The break at 7-7 changed the momentum.”

Mulkerrins steered away from the lob serve and ceiling shots after the break, opting for power serves and blistering kills and passes. Mulkerrins ended the match with an 8-0 streak, punctuating his return to the top of the Race 4 Eight rankings.

“Just delighted,” stated Mulkerrins to ESPN’s Kara Mack. “That (winning) was the plan coming into the weekend. I told myself to be proactive with the feet, just trying to get that spring in the set. Delighted to get the number one back. All these guys are right there. Every tournament counts. Huge season ahead. Five more big stops to look forward to. Thanks to all of the hosts in Portland. We are very thankful to be here. Thanks to everyone and we are looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Playoffs

5^th place playoff

Canales def Streibig 25-10

Leo Canales was ruthless in his fifth place final against Jeff Streibig, pushing Streibig into the back court and jamming him with power. Canales also unleashed twenty-four rally-ending shots and five aces against just six errors. 

“I think I was taking my time with my shots and moving my feet,” stated Canales. “Even the round of 32’s there are really good matches. The handball level now is at an all-time high. Once I see the ball off the front wall I start positioning myself. I had a lot of variety on my kills today. I’m not super thrilled about losing in the quarterfinals but every point counts in these playoffs so I’m just playing as hard as I can.”

9^th place playoff

Esser def Langmack 25-18

Sam Esser played with controlled intensity and precision in the ninth place final against his childhood friend and rival Max Langmack. Esser hit ten aces and fourteen rally-ending shots against just four errors to defeat TGG.

“In the past when I lost in the ninth place I haven’t been that motivated to play,” stated Esser. “It’s really cool to play Max. We started playing together when we were in fifth grade. We’ve had a lot of intense matches throughout the years. He’s on the hook for a Sonoran hot dog now. “

2025 Race 4 Eight Portland Classic Finishes

1^st: Mulkerrins

2^nd: Burgos

3^rd: Danos/Lucho

5^th: Canales

6^th: Streibig

7^th: Lenning/Bike

9^th: Esser

10^th: Langmack

11^th: Fink/D. Mulkerrins

13^th: Doyle/D. Schmitt/Trejo/Chapman

17^th: D. Hernandez 

Thank you!

Thank you to tournament director Conor Casey and the Casey family for an outstanding event. Thank you to Kathleen Adelman for working alongside the Casey family throughout the weekend to ensure that all matches were on time and all scores were reported. Thank you to Hank Marcus and the Multnomah Athletic Club for hosting the Race 4 Eight Portland Classic at one of the best venues in the country. Thank you to the WPH staff and broadcast crew for covering and broadcasting the 2025 Race 4 Eight Portland Classic. Thank you to WPH ambassador Steve Soto for tirelessly charting the stats for every broadcast match. 

Follow the draws and results from the 2025 Race 4 Eight Portland Classic HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer