WPH Press, Pleasanton, CA, 12/30/22
The USHA proudly hosted the 66th Annual USHA National Junior 4-Wall Championships at the Bay Club Pleasanton in Pleasanton, CA, featuring more than 50 players from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Ireland.
Rising star Kyle Jordan (IRE) made a statement in winning the 19-and-under boy’s small ball singles, outscoring his three opponents by a combined score of 126-21, including a two-game sweep against college baseball/handball sensation Ryan “Waddy Pup” Watkins in the final. “Kyle was really good,” stated Waddy Pup. “The only thing that kept me with him was my fitness. I play a lot of pros in L.A. and he is better than them. Kyle has every shot and does not make errors. I did not make many errors, just couldn’t get a rhythm going with my serve. We went back and forth for a while and then he ran away with it.”
Ireland’s Leah Minogue cruised to the 19-and-under girl’s small ball singles title without dropping a game, including a close two game final against 17-and-under girl’s small ball national champion Jodie Keeling.
Boy’s Small Ball Singles Finals
19-and-under boy’s final: K. Jordan (IRE) def R. Watkins (CA) 21-7, 21-5
17-and-under boy’s final: R. Carthy (IRE) def A. Cordova (MEX) 21-7, 21-6
15-and-under boy’s final: A. Clifford (IRE) def E. Gutierrez (CO) 21-5, 21-0
13-and-under boy’s final: A. Duval (WA) def I. Holguin (NM) 21-3, 21-8
11-and-under boy’s final: A. Valenzuela (NM) def L. Cordova III (MEX) 21-14, 21-3
Girl’s Small Ball Singles Finals
19-and-under girl’s final: L. Minogue (IRE) def J. Keeling 21-19, 21-16
17-and-under girl’s final: J. Keeling def I. Klicker (IL) 21-4, 21-1
15-and-under girl’s final: C. Kelleher def K. Jordan (IRE) 21-5, 21-17
Pictures courtesy GAA Handball
Congratulations to the USHA on a great event and congratulations to all of the junior players who competed at the Bay Club Pleasanton at the 66th Annual USHA National Junior 4-Wall Championships
Follow the draws from the 66th Annual USHA National Junior 4-Wall Championships HERE
Watch the matches on the GAA Handball Facebook page HERE
For more on the USHA, visit ushandball.org
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer