Race 4 Eight Player Bios

Race 4 Eight Player Bios

Learn about all of your favorite active and inactive R48, WR48 and SR48 pros + the Race 4 Eight “Super Fans” 

Martin Mulkerrins, 2023/24 R48 Men’s Pro Player’s Cup Champion for finishing as the year-end #1 player

 

The Race 4 Eight Pros (listed alphabetically)

Naty Alvarado, Jr. (Inactive)

Age: 8/6/1973

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Victorville, CA

Residence: Spring Valley Lake, Victorville, CA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Spring Valley Lake Country Club, LAAC

Favorite athlete: Bo Jackson

Favorite pre-match music: Industrial music

Best/favorite shot: Crack serves

Strengths: Serve, offense, experience, everything!

Summary: Naty Alvarado Jr. was one of the greatest handball players to ever wear a pair of gloves. Ranked inside the top five from the mid 1990’s through 2014 on the pro tour, Alvarado is one of the most consistently great players the game has ever seen. Armed with incredible discipline and dedication to his craft, Alvarado’s skills north of the age of 40 were still very close to his years at the top of the sport. Alvarado’s serve, power, competitiveness, and aura made him one of the must-see attractions on the Race 4 Eight tour

John “Jab” Bike

Age: 10/19/1999

Height: 5”11

Hometown: Victorville, CA

Residence: Mankato, MN

Strong hand: Left

Home court:

Favorite athlete: Derek Jeter/Aaron Judge

Best/Favorite shot: Left-handed left corner kill

Inspiration: My favorite handball player of all time is my dad, John J. Bike. He had so much power, and he was able to kill the ball from any part of the court. He was always applying pressure on his opponents because of the power that he put on the ball. Also, my grandpa and uncle are all up there on my all time favorite handball players of all time list. Those 3 players could do anything on the handball court, and I hope I can be as good as they were one day. 

Summary: Like his hall of fame dad, Jab possesses a rocket for a left arm. Jab’s left is one of the most feared weapons on the Race 4 Eight, dictating and ending rallies from anywhere on the court. Jab is a student of the game and a tremendous all-around athlete who is a huge asset to the Race 4 Eight tour on and off the court

John Bike, Jr. (Inactive)

Age: 2/18/1966

Height: 6”1

Hometown: Fairfield, CT

Residence: Spring Valley Lake, Victorville, CA

Strong hand: Left

Home court: Spring Valley Lake Country Club

Favorite athlete: Lupe Alvarado Bike

Favorite pre-match music: Narco

Inspiration: Family

Best/Favorite shot: Reverse hop

Strengths: Power, hall of fame presence, aura, defense

Summary: John Bike was one of the handball’s greatest pros throughout the twentieth century and thrilled fans and players with each Race 4 Eight start. In his forties and playing after shoulder surgery, Bike was still a force on the R48 and SR48 tours, pushing a number of the game’s top stars in qualifier and main draw matches, while winning the inaugural SR48 Player’s Cup during the 2012/23 season. The Bicrowave continues to support the Race 4 Eight, popping in for guest appearances on ESPN broadcasts, supporting his son Jab Bike at virtually all of the Race 4 Eight stops and donating to the WPH to keep our sport flourishing

Dalton Beall (Inactive)

Age: 4/29/89

Height: 5’11

Hometown: Red Bluff, CA

Strong hand: Eugene, OR

Home court: Courtsports Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Brett Favre

Best/Favorite shot: pass shot

Inspiration: My dad, got me started and still inspires me to play 

Strengths: two-handed offense, first-strike handball, speed

Summary: The Pride of Oregon (TPO) established himself as one of the greatest players in the history of Oregon in his late 20’s, winning multiple Oregon state singles titles and many of the most prestigious tournaments in the Pacific Northwest. Beall was a dangerous marksman capable of ending rallies from anywhere on the court with either hand and when firing on all cylinders

Rob Bell

Age: 3/3/1993

Height: 6’ 1”

Hometown: Reno, NV

Residence: Seattle, WA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: The Sports Mall

Favorite athlete: Steph Curry

Favorite pre-match music: Alt Rock

Inspiration: My Dad (Steve Bell) and my wife (Camilla Bell) are my biggest supporters. My Dad took me to tournament after tournament as a kid and taught me how fun the game is. My wife goes to every tournament with me and continues to support me in handball. She beats me all the time with her ace serves. Every city I’ve lived in has players that have inspired me. I left friends in Reno, Pocatello, Seattle, Buffalo, and more. Salt Lake is a great city for handball and working at a handball company (ACE Disposal) is great.

Best/Favorite shot: Side wall-Front wall kill

Strengths: strong two strong hands, ability to play offense and defense, quiet confidence

Summary: Rob “To Whom the Bell Tolls” is armed with two great hands and a lifetime of handball experience. Bell has honed his skills in more than a half a dozen handball cities, always adding to his game. Bell has trained under the tutelage of Dave Chapman and other top pros, giving him the knowledge and skills to compete against the best in the sport

Adam Bernhard

Height: 6’2

Hometown: Houston, TX

Residence: Austin, TX

Strong hand: right

Home court: Gregory Gym

Favorite athlete: Rafael Nadal

Inspiration: I am inspired by the challenge that is playing handball well against a variety of opponents.  I am inspired by the thought of reaching my potential.

Best/favorite shot: right hand v pass to the left

Strengths: patience, defense, back wall kill, strategy

Summary: “Weekend at Bernie’s” is a Harvard educated attorney who brings his courtroom wits to the handball court, putting his opponents to the test on virtually every rally by keeping the ball out of their strike zones and forcing them to play long and analytical rallies. This Texas handball legend has amassed dozen of major titles in the Lone Star State and has proven that he can compete against the best in the world on the R48

Ryan Bowler (Inactive)

Age: 5/21/1986

Height: 6’1

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

Residence: Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

Strong hand: right

Home court: Valentine’s Club

Favorite athlete: DeMar DeRozan

Favorite shot: dump corner kill

Strengths: tenacity, court coverage, fist pass, dump kills

Summary: The “Bowl Dog” was one of the most tenacious players in the sport, always willing to do the grunt work to make matches a battle of skill and will. Bowler was the highest-ranked Canadian R48 pro in history during his time on the tour, proudly representing the Great White North as he traveled to R48 events across the U.S.

Paul Brady

15 Race 4 Eight titles

Age: 9/1/1979

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Cavan, Ireland

Residence: Dublin, Ireland

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Kingscourt

Favorite athlete: Vince Munoz

Favorite pre-match music: Anything that’s loud

Best/favorite shot: Left-handed V pass

Strengths: power, agility, lateral movement, shot selection, serve, two-wall pass, back wall kill, everything!

Summary: After five consecutive world titles and 13 R48 titles through the 2015-2016 R48 V season, Paul Brady established himself as one of the greatest players to ever play the sport. Brady brings an unmatched attention to detail, preparation, focus, physical fitness and shot making to the sport, leaving nothing to chance and winning more than 95% of the matches he has played since 2005. Brady lost just three tournament matches from 2004-2015, undoubtedly one of the most dominant eras of any athlete in any sport’s history. This five-time world champion is either the greatest or on a very short list of greatest players to ever live. Brady lives by the manta, “Losing in not an option,” and proves it every time he steps on the court

Ayden Brule

Age: 08/04/2006

Height: 5”6

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: right

Home court: Tucson Racquet Club

Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant

Favorite pre-match music: rap

Inspiration: Mom

Best/Favorite shot: right to right serve

Strengths: power, two good hands, power serve

Summary: Following a sensational junior career that saw Brule win nearly every junior national championship, Ayden qualified on the Race 4 Eight tour at the 2024 Portland Classic at the age of 18, making him one of the youngest qualifiers in the history of the Race 4 Eight. Brule has been taught by many of the best coaches in the world at the Fred Lewis Foundation, to include Fred Lewis, Abraham Montijo, and Sean Lenning. Brule is armed with the talent and desire to go as high as he desires in the sport

Ivan Burgos

Age: April 10, 2001

Height: 5’4

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Fort Erie YMCA

Favorite athlete: Julio César Chávez Sr.

Favorite pre-match music: Rancheras

Inspiration: My passion comes from my father, Fernando Burgos. He passed the game onto me when I was young and I’ve always loved the bonding it gives us when he’s coaching me. I hope to do the same one day. Ryan Bowler also serves as an inspiration. I would always follow the qualifiers and the pro tournaments and seeing a friend I often spar with competing with some big names was definitely inspiring.

Best/Favorite shot: under/overhand fist killshot

Strengths: speed, tenacity, offense, passion for the game

Summary: Burgos is one of the game’s most exciting stars, willing to sacrifice his body for any ball, while challenging himself against the game’s best at every opportunity. This Canadian prodigy possesses an intense passion for the sport, coupled with blazing speed, two-handed power, and the willingness to go for his shots at any moment against any opponent.

Leo Canales

Age: 10/17/1995

Height:  5’8

Hometown: El Paso, TX

Residence: Phoenix, AZ

Strong hand: Right

Home court:  San Angel Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Derek Jeter

Favorite pre-match music: Rock

Inspiration: Passion comes from early on watching my dad play and from wanting to be the best player I can be, and watching the Cordovas success inspired me to take my game to the next level

Best/Favorite shot: Right corner kill

Strengths: Consistency, court awareness, percentage shot selection

Summary: Leo Canales qualified for the first time at 21 years of age at the R48 6 Minnesota, defeating perennial R48 standout Anthony Selestow to earn his pro status. Canales’ steady and reliable game forces his opponents to play their best to beat him, while testing their patience and conditioning. Canales is a fixture on the business end of all of the Race 4 Eight’s biggest events and has taken down virtually every top name on the tour

Killian Carroll

23 Race 4 Eight titles

Age: 6/15/1993

Height: 5’7

Hometown: Cork County, Ireland

Residence: Boston, MA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Boston Athletic Club/L Street

Favorite athlete: Roger Federer

Favorite pre-match music: random playlist

Best/Favorite shot: Right corner kill

Strengths: speed, conditioning, relentlessness, tenaciousness, serve, back wall kill

Summary: In just his first season on the Race 4 Eight tour, Killian Carroll captured the crowned jewel of the Race, the Player’s Championship. Carroll redefines tenaciousness and consistently proves that no lead is safe. Carroll has quickly become a crowd favorite for his shot making and retrieving ability, as well as his willingness to give back to the fans and the game. In just his early 20’s, Carroll has already established himself as one of the greatest players to ever play the sport, amassing multiple R48 Player’s Championships, multiple USHA national titles and winning virtually every event he enters

David Chapman (RIP, 10/10/2017)

Date of birth: 6/26/1975

Height: 5”11

Hometown: Long Beach, CA

Residence: St. Louis, MO

Strong hand: right

Home court: St. Louis Hinder Club/Forest Park

Favorite athlete: Kareem Abdul Jabar

Favorite pre-match music: House music

Inspiration: Father, Fred Chapman

Best/Favorite shot: Back wall kill, paddle kill, fist kill, dump kill

Strengths: Anticipation, ball control, back wall kill, return of serve, fly kill, overhand and fist ceiling, experience

Summary: David Chapman is on the short list of the greatest players to ever play the sport. Armed with ten 4-Wall national singles titles, more than 80 pro stop wins, world titles, outdoor titles and a twenty-plus year pro handball career that started at the age of fifteen and saw him dominate three generations of players, David Chapman’s legacy is unmatched. Chapman possessed the unique ability to take away his opponent’s strengths with a devastating return of serve that neutralized even the best servers, combined with the sixth sense to know where his opponent was going to hit before he did, Chapman simply overwhelmed even the game’s best with an uncanny array of offensive and defensive weapons. Known simple as “The Great One,” when TGO was on, which he almost always was, the field was simply playing for second

Championships, multiple USHA pro singles national championships, and winning virtually every event he enters

John Chapman

Age 10/16/1995

Height: 6”2

Hometown: Frenchtown, Montana

Residence: Greeley, Colorado

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Denver Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Neymar Jr.

Favorite pre-match music: Electronic                                                              

Inspiration: My family (Dad, Brother, Mom all played)                        

Best/Favorite shot: Right corner kill

Strengths: Right corner kill, ceiling game, natural hop, overhand down the right

Summary: John Chapman hails from handball royalty and is quickly making a name for himself on the Race 4 Eight tour. A former college basketball star, John transitioned to handball full-time upon the completion of his stellar collegiate hoops career, immersing himself into the nuances of the sport. John generates tremendous power with his right, as the ball simply explodes off his hand. John’s right hand kill has become one of the most accurate on the tour, as well as his tremendous ceiling game. John brings skill and tremendous passion for the sport to the tour and has become one of the tour’s great assets, on and off the court

Marcos Chavez (Inactive)

Age: 3/20/1974

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA

Residence: Yorba Linda, CA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Los Angeles Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant

Best/favorite shot: back wall kill, overhand paddle with spin to the corners rollout

Strengths: Mixing up his game, preventing his opponents from gaining rhythm, back wall kill, psychological warfare

Summary: Playing as well in his 40’s as he did in his mid 20’s, this crowd-favorite dazzled galleries and frustrated opponents with a mixture of finesse, speed and sneaky power. Chavez was seemingly ageless, often playing his best handball in his sixth or seventh match of an event against players 10-20 years his junior. Chavez prepared for events with rigorous cross training exercises, to include biking, weights, stretching, and a lot of handball. Chavez was an ambassador on the tour and leader amongst his peers, making him one of the most respected players in the sport

Loren Collado

Age: 9/22/1993

Height: 6’2 ½

Hometown: Santa Clara, CA

Residence: Moraga, CA

Strong hand: right

Home court: Olympic Club

Favorite athlete: Ducksy Walsh/Tom Sheridan

Favorite shot: right hand, right corner kill

Inspiration: A lot of role models growing up in the handball scene in NorCal. The Dean Crispens, Chris Ticos, Mike McDonalds and Lenardt Delatorres were gracious enough to let me get in the court with them throughout my college years.

Strengths: discipline, percentage shot-making, right hand kill

Summary: The Olympic Club’s Loren Collado is a product of the strong Northern California handball tradition and plays an “old school” style of handball, always playing the percentages and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Collado often strikes from the deep court with his left, generating tremendous power and offense with his supposed off-hand

Stephen Cooney

Age: 1/30/1991

Height: 5’8

Hometown: Ballaghaderreen Co. Roscommon Ireland

Residence: Los Angeles, CA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: New York Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Jordan Spieth, Michael Jordan

Favorite pre-match music: Varies

Inspiration: John Gaffney, if it were not for him I would not be where I am today. He still inspires me throughout my handball career and life. Losing to my best friend Grant Deeney in an Under12 exhibition at my home court also inspired me. The game was for the handball great Joey Maher (1967 World Champion) who came to our town for a day of coaching. After I lost the game I cried and ran into the dressing room like a baby.  I remember Joey Maher following me in, putting his arm around me and telling me I would make a good player someday. It was very upstanding and good of him to say that, so to this day I am still trying to prove Joey right. Although to no avail.

Best/favorite shot: Re-kill

Strengths: Consistency, paddle re kills, retrieving ability, passion for the game

Summary: “The Coon Dogg” relocated to New York City in 2014 in large part to compete on the Race 4 Eight tour. It did not take long for Cooney to make his mark on handball’s greatest professional tour, moving into the top 10 after just four events during the R48 IV season and earning consecutive Elite 8 invites by season’s end. Cooney is a tenacious bulldog that won’t give an inch to any player and prides himself on making each of his opponents earn every point. Cooney is one of the game’s greatest counter-punchers, almost always making his opponents pay for shooting in front of him or leaving kills up. Cooney’s dedication to his craft makes him one of the game’s true professionals

Andres Cordova

Age: 4/25/2005

Height: 5/10

Hometown: Cd Juarez MX

Resides: Duluth, Minnesota

Strong hand: Left

Home Court: San Angel Athletic Club

Favorite Athlete: Lucho Cordova

Inspiration: Lucho Cordova, Sr. “My dad is my inspiration because he always said I could be the best since I was young.”

Best/favorite shot: Front left corner kill

Strength: Speed, anticipation, power

Summary: Andres Cordova is the third Cordova to be ranked (simultaneously). Andres brings a unique style to the tour, striking his left-handed sidearm shots with extreme power and possessing the ability to shoot from deep with his left. Andres is part of the Cordova dynasty and carries the name with pride and class

Daniel Cordova

5 Race 4 Eight titles

Age: 9/10/1992

Height: 5’10

Hometown: Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Residence: Mexico

Strong hand: Right

Home court: San Angel Athletic Club

Favorite Athlete: Usain Bolt

Inspiration: My grandfather, my dad, my brother, Ken Danembaum, David Chapman and Mike Dau are just a few of my inspirations. There was one event that stands out though. When I was about 12 years old there was a pro stop held in my hometown (Ciudad Jaurez). I had been playing on and off for about a year, so it was enough to understand the basics of the game. That event brought down some of the best players in the world. Seeing top players like David Chapman, Naty Alvarado Jr. and plenty of others compete at such a high level showed me the potential of the game. I was also very excited because Naty Jr. gave me a signed white Owen glove. I would say that was the event that really got me hooked on this game. 

Favorite pre-match music: Electronic Dance Music

Best/favorite shot: right-handed pass down the left with reverse hop

Strengths: Hop serve, two strong hands, hops during the rally, mental toughness, speed

Summary: Danos burst onto the Race 4 Eight scene during the 2014-2015 R48 IV season, advancing to the quarterfinals in three of his first four starts as a qualifier and climbing into the Elite 8 after just five events. Daniel advanced to his first R48 semifinal at the 2015 WPH R48 IV Player’s Championship, clinching the 2015 R48 IV Rookie of the Year and solidifying his place amongst the game’s elite. Cordova combines a unique blend of power, speed, versatility, and hops with one of the greatest attitudes on tour to take down great players. Danos makes up half of the “Flying Cordovas,” with both he and brother Lucho earning their nicknames by diving, sliding, and flying all over the court to make outrageous retrieves. Danos is one of the game’s most exciting stars and regularly draws some of the largest galleries at virtually all of his R48 starts

Luis Cordova

10 Race 4 Eight titles

Age: 11/13/1990

Height: 6’0

Hometown: Juarez, MX

Residence: Juarez, MEX

Strong hand: Right

Home Club: San Angel Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Lionel Messi

Inspiration: My inspiration is my boys Luis and Luan. I want to be the best so that they have a good example and they can be the best at whatever they choose to do when they grow up

Best/favorite shot: Right-handed right corner kill

Strengths: Right corner kill with the right hand, back wall kill, court coverage, consistency

Summary: “Lucho” is the youngest player to ever finish inside the WPH Race 4 Eight Elite 8 at 21 years old in 2012 and has carried that tremendous start as a 21-year old to one of the most consistent careers on the R48 tour. Armed with one of the best right hands in the world, Cordova can end rallies from anywhere on the court with his stiletto right, even when his opponents know it’s coming. Cordova has established himself as one of the Race 4 Eight’s all-time greatest players, amassing numerous titles and a Race 4 Eight Player’s Cup

John Wayne Cortez

Age: 10-16-85

Height: 5’5”

Hometown: Whittier, CA

Residence: Baldwin Park, CA

Strong hand: right

Home court: LAAC

Favorite athlete: Ken Griffey Jr./ Kobe Bryant 

Favorite pre-match music: anything 90s music 

Inspiration: Playing Handball is helping me slow this aging process and it keeps the stress away. It’s the best exercise! 

Best/Favorite shot: Overhand fist side/front kill shot

Strengths: Ability to make shots in an unorthodox style 

Summary: John Wayne Cortez is a fierce competitor who brings tremendous intensity and shot making to every match. Cortez’s speed and fast-paced style make him unpredictable and very difficult to beat, as he rarely gives his opponents time to set up or dictate rallies

Fergal Coughlan, Jr. (Inactive)

Age: 12/21/1997

Height: 6’3”

Hometown: Ennis. Co. Clare

Residence: Clooney. Co. Clare

Strong hand: Left 

Home court: Clooney/Quin 

Favorite athlete: Usain Bolt

Favorite pre-match music: Pour Over – Vintage Culture

Inspiration: My Dad, Fergal Coughlan, Snr, He has been bringing me around on all my foreign tournaments since my first, namely, the 2006 World Handball Championships in Edmonton, Canada.

Best/Favorite shot: Left corner kill

Strengths: unexpected offense, deep court kills, efficiency

Summary: Coughlan, Jr. became the first player in R48 history without a ranking to defeat three ranked R48 pros on the same day at the 2019 Aces Player’s Championship, ousting top 20 R48 pros Max Langmack and Stephen Cooney to qualify and R48 Elite 8 pro Emmett Peixoto in the 9^th place playoffs. Coughlan’s ability to play offense from anywhere on the court makes him a dangerous opponent for any R48 pro

Mark Doyle

Age: 5/26/2003

Height:  5”9

Hometown: Taghmon,Wexford

Residence: Mankato , MN

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Court on Farm (at his home in Ireland)

Favorite athlete: Christopher “Nikko” Cullen (Hurling)

Favorite pre-match music: Country

Inspiration: My Father

Best/Favorite shot: Left hand Paddle Kill

Strengths: Kill shot, ceiling game, court awareness, quick hands

Summary: The 2023 Race 4 Eight Rookie of the Year has all the tools to become one of the game’s best. At a young age, Doyle possesses the poise and shot making to compete with the game’s best stars, as his paddle kills and anticipation make him a difficult challenge for any opponent. Mark’s family built one of Ireland’s premiere 4-Wall courts on their family farm, giving the star unlimited court time, which he has used to become of the sport’s youngest and brightest stars

Shane Dunne

Age: 12/3/1998

Height: 5”8

Hometown: Moneenroe, Kilkenny

Residence: Foynes, Limerick

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Clogh handball club, Kilkenny

Favorite athlete: Killian Carroll

Favorite pre-match music: Techno

Inspiration: My family and club, very supportive and always wanted to get the best out of me.

Best/Favorite shot: Right hand, Left wall first corner kill, a shot I am hitting a lot of lately.

Strengths: Dogged and consistent

Summary: The 2023 USHA collegiate national champion is a tenacious brawler armed with devastating paddle and re kills – you better put the ball down flat against this re kill wizard, or it’s going to be a short match. You can be assured that Shane will be well-conditioned and extremely motivated at every event in which he enters, making him a threat in any match on tour

Kyle English

Age: 6/15/1983

Height: 6”2

Hometown: Portland, OR

Residence: Portland, OR

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Lloyd Athletic Club (LAC)

Favorite athlete: Tom Brady

Best/Favorite shot: Back wall left hand easy touch roll out

Inspiration: Sean Lenning – freakish skill and power and has been a massive reason for my improvement

Summary: English possesses the confidence to keep him in every match, entering every Race 4 Eight event with the intention to win. Coming to handball later in life from professional football, English brings an unorthodox style that keeps Race 4 Eight pros off-balance and uneasy

Sam Esser

Age: 5/13/1996

Height: 5’10

Hometown: Olathe, KS

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Tucson Racquet Club/Clark Park

Favorite athlete: Patrick Mahomes

Favorite music: Country

Inspiration: My passion comes from simply just loving the game and being very competitive and wanting to be the best I can be. The players that have inspired me the most would have to be my dad and my Coaches at Missouri State. Not because of what they can do on the court but what they have meant to me off it. My dad, Jake Esser, and coaches, Tommy Burnett and Brian Watson, have done so much for the game and have all been big believers in me.

Best/Favorite shot: back wall pass or kill

Strengths: consistency, mental toughness, back wall kills, speed

Summary: Esser possesses two good hands and an aggressive style that poses problems for all of the sport’s best. Esser’s all-court and balanced game makes him one of the sport’s elite

Ricardo “Drft” Fernandez

Age: 8/06/93

Height: 5’8

Hometown: Cd. Juárez, México

Residence: Cd. Juárez, Mexico

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Bańos Roma

Favorite athlete: Sean Lenning

Favorite pre-match music: everything in the playlist

Inspiration: Dad (Ricardo Fernandez, Sr), Family

Best/Favorite shot: kill shot right corner

Strengths: two strong hands, ability to play offense with both hands, passion for the sport

Summary: Drft Fernandez has been named the JR WPH Coach of the Year multiple times, serving as the Head Coach and Executive Director of JR WPH Juarez, the most flourishing junior handball program in North America. Drft added R48 pro to his outstanding handball resume, qualifying on the R48 by engineering one of the biggest upsets in R48 qualifier history in defeating then R48 #9 Marcos Chavez at the 2018 Tucson Memorial. Drft overcame a brain tumor in 2015 and now stands as one of the game’s greatest coaches, players, and ambassadors 

David Fink

2 Race 4 Eight titles

Age: 8/2/1977

Height: 5’11½

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: Left

Home Club: Amerifit/Tucson Racquet Club

Favorite athlete: Pete Sampras, Roger Federer

Inspiration: My dad shared his love for handball with me from the time I was born, taking me to all of his tournaments and teaching me the game from the time I could walk. My dad continues to inspire me to play, while giving us wonderful memories and a shared passion through handball. The 2006 WPH Simple Green U.S. Open broadcast was also hugely inspirational. I had not played handball in a number of years and watching that broadcast from home lit a fire in me…I’ve been playing ever since

Favorite pre-match music: none

Best/favorite shot: fly kill

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #1

Strengths: aggressiveness from everywhere on the court, serve, fly kill, experience

Summary: David Fink has played in the second most Race 4 Eight stops of any player in the history of the tour and owns three finals appearances in Race 4 Eight events. Known for his fiery on-court persona, Fink puts his heart on the line for every point in every match. Fink continues to play alongside the top stars in the sport into his 40’s, defying Father Time and proving that age is just a number

 

Patrick Funchion (Inactive)

Age: 3/14/1991

Height: 5’11

Hometown: Callan, Ireland

Residence: Callan, Ireland

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Kells (Ireland)

Favorite athlete: Michael Phelps

Favorite music before a match: Luke Kelly

Favorite shot: Underarm kill

Strengths: consistency, patience, right hand offense

Summary: Funchion qualified for the R48 tour for the first time in Las Vegas ’18, ousting then #19 R48 pro Adam Bernhard to punch his ticket to the main draw. Funchion was trained in the Irish school of handball, meaning he plays the percentages, makes very few mistakes and can capitalize on opportunities with either hand

Peter Funchion (Inactive)

Age: 2/6/1993

Height: 5’7

Hometown: Callan, Ireland

Residence: Callan, Ireland

Strong hand: right

Home court: Callan Handball Club

Favorite athlete: Usain Bolt

Inspiration: My passion for Handball comes from my father, Pat Funchion, and from my brothers Alan and Patrick. Additionally, there are so many players that have so many incredible and memorable games that inspired me to the Race Stops that it is hard to pick one. I think any Irish player of my generation would be lying if they didn’t say that Paul Brady broke every glass ceiling and proved how successfully you can be if you give your all to the game. However, a huge inspiration for me was the late, great Dave Chapman, who I had the honour of meeting when I was very young

Favorite shot: roll out

Strengths: all-around game, two-handed offense, discipline

Summary: Peter Funchion is one of the game’s most disciplined and dedicated stars, always seeking to improve and traveling thousands of miles, sometimes on back to back weekends, to challenge his game against the best players in the world

George Garcia, Jr.

Age: 8/31/76

Height: 5’7

Hometown: El Paso, TX

Residence: Bakersfield, CA

Strong hand: right

Home court: IN SHAPE Bakersfield

Favorite athlete: Clayton Kershaw

Favorite music before a match: Linkin Park

Inspiration: Inspiration: #1 my Dad George Garcia Sr. He not only introduced me to handball but he pushed me to be a better player on and off the court. #2 Al Moore, during my teen years he showed me positioning and strategy. As a young kid I remember watching my dad, my uncle Charlie and Poncho Monreal play cut throat, they were all so smooth on the court and it inspired me to play like them. 

Favorite shot: fist shot re kill

Strengths: relentless offense, fist punch service return, fly kill

Summary: Garcia is one of the most aggressive players in the sport, willing to end rallies from anywhere on the court with either hand. Garcia plays an up-tempo game that renders his victims feeling rushed and helpless, often leaving them bewildered and on their back foot. Garcia qualified for the first time at the age of 41, proving that his game continues to develop and improve into his fourth decade

Aaron Garner (Inactive)

Age: 11/28/1987

Height: 6’0

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Residence: San Antonio, TX

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Multnomah Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Novak Djokovic

Favorite pre-match music: Don’t have any

Inspiration: My brother Allan Garner

Best/Favorite shot: Back wall right handed kill

Strengths: power, strength, experience

Summary: Aaron Garner was one of the R48’s most promising young stars in his early 20’s, advancing to the semifinals as a qualifier in the 2013 Houston R48. Garner was consistently ranked in the R48’s top 12, making him one of the sport’s top young stars. Schooled by the late and great David Chapman in his youth, Aaron brought of wealth of knowledge to every match

Allan Garner (Inactive)

1 Race 4 Eight title

Age: 4/22/85

Height: 6’0

Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX

Residence: San Antonio, TX

Strong hand: right

Home court: YMCA Thousand Oaks

Favorite athlete: Deion Sanders

Favorite music before a match: Rock

Favorite shot: left-hand right corner kill

Strengths: power, two-handed offense, back wall, pass shot

Summary: Known as “The Blond Bombshell,” Allan Garner was one of the greatest players of his generation, possessing the ability to end rallies from anywhere on the court with either hand, while also playing methodically and forcing errors. Garner won the 2013 R48 II Plummer and is a former WPH #1, placing him on the short list of the best players of this century

Michael Gaulton

Age: 3/23/1999

Height: 6’1

Hometown: St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

Residence: Wisconsin 

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Ches Penney Family YMCA St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

Favorite athlete: Sean Lenning

Favorite pre-match music: Rap

Inspiration: My passion for handball comes from the love of the game. I never really liked team sports so handball was perfect for me and I’d spend hours on the court just rallying with myself. Sean Lenning has inspired me most to take my game to the next level. He’ll always ask me how my games went and everyone enjoys watching Sean play, as his style and shot choice is unique

Best/Favorite shot: Left-hand wrap

Strengths: strength, power, serve, discipline

Summary: Gaulton’s physical strength and height enables him to hit the ball with extreme power with both hands from any position on the court, enabling him to constantly pressure his opponents

Dylan Hernandez

Age: 5/2/1993

Height: 5’10

Hometown: Van Nuys, CA

Residence: Winnetka/Simi Valley (CA)

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Los Angeles Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Paul Brady, Kobe Bryant

Favorite pre-match music: Humble by Kendrick Lamar

Inspiration: my father, he was never able to continue his career. He was close to moving up to pro rankings. He was a good player, it is my job to showcase his play in my game. Vic Perez, Marcos Chavez, and Mando Ortiz inspire me too keep pushing, I look up to them, they are my mentors.

Best/Favorite shot: Kill Shot

Strengths: strong off hand, good serve,

Summary: Dylan Hernandez is a part of the LAAC powerhouse and will ensure that the LAAC handball legacy continues into the next generation. Armed with two great hands and an even-keeled disposition, Hernandez is an established pro with tremendous upside

Armando Ibarra (Inactive)

Age: 9/27/1989

Height 5’10”

Hometown: Juarez, Mexico

Residence: Denver, Colorado

Strong Hand: Right

Home Court: Denver Athletic Club

Favorite Athlete: Leo Messi

Favorite Pre-match music: Rock (Metallica)

Inspiration: Bear Meiring inspired me to play handball. Cordova Brothers inspire me to keep playing. They have grown every year and now are at the top of the rankings.

Favorite shot: Side-front right corner

Best Shot: revolving door back wall

Strengths: offense, adaptability, passion for the game

Summary: Ibarra enjoyed his R48 coming out party at the 2018 Portland R48 8, registering his first R48 top 20 finish. Ibarra steadily improved his game in his twenties, sparring regularly with R48 star Jonathan Iglesias and other top players in Colorado, as regular court time with Iglesias and the Rocky Mountain’s best taking Ibarra’s game to the pro level

Jonathan Iglesias (Inactive)

Age: 7/10/1986

Height: 5’6

Hometown: Queens, NY

Residence: Vail, CO

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Denver Athletic Club

Favorite pre-match music: Hip-hop

Best/favorite shot: No-look paddle kill

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #9

Strengths: Front court play, unorthodox kills, back wall kill, fly kill

Summary: Jonathan Iglesias learned how to play handball as an 11-year-old on the 1-Wall courts in New York City, often playing handball for up to 10 hours a day. Iglesias developed a passion for 4-Wall handball, quickly becoming one of the top junior and collegiate 4-Wall players in the country. Iglesias further honed his 4-Wall game at Lake Forest College and has defeated many of the tour’s biggest names, to include Mando Ortiz, Sean Lenning, Luis Moreno, Luis Cordova, and Daniel Cordova. Iglesias played his best against the best, a testament to his self-belief and imposing skill set

Matt Job

Age: 07/06/1993

Height: 6’3″

Hometown: Richmond, MN

Residence:  Cincinnati, OH

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Pennington Hall (Mankato MN)

Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant

Favorite pre-match music:  90s Hip Hop

Inspiration: My wife, Nikki, and my collegiate coaches, Mike Wells and John Stoffel. I owe them everything and they’ve inspired me to be the best person I can be, every day, on and off the court.

Best/Favorite shot: Back wall kill

Strengths: Power, strength, court coverage, right-handed offense

Summary: The 6”3 Job brings a mixture of aggression and percentage handball, moving his opponent around the court and working for high percentage opportunities to end the rally. Matt qualified for the tour for the first time at the 2024 R48 Icebreaker

Sean Kerr 

Age: 10/09/1998

Height: 5:7

Hometown: Brackey

Residence: Drumnakilly (Ireland)

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Brackey Handball Club

Favorite athlete: Rafael Nadal

Favorite pre-match music: Chris brown –Forever

Inspiration: My passion of handball came from my grandpa, Mick Kerr, and my father, Niall Kerr. Going around Ireland at a young age and watching my father compete in a high level of handball has given me a dying passion. Additionally, Killian Carroll; how he adapted so quickly through the ranks at a young age and how he has become the best he can be and still improving  

Best/Favorite shot: Fly Dumb Kill Right Corner

Strengths: power, speed, tenacity, clutch under pressure

Summary: Sean Kerr has been groomed from birth to become a handball star, traveling throughout Ireland to watch his father compete in the most prestigious championships in the sport. Kerr owns a sensational resume of junior championships, making him one of the best players of his generation  

Max Langmack

Age: 8/29/1995

Height: 6’8

Hometown: Olathe, KS

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: right

Home court: Tucson Racquet Club/Clark Park

Favorite athlete: Sergei Federov

Inspiration: Junior contemporaries Sam Esser, Jeremy Young, Matt Vollink, Alex Birge, and their families for supporting me. collegiate coaches, Tommy Burnett and Brian Watson, have continued that support during my time at Missouri State and given us the means to play in places around the country.

Favorite shot: right hand kill

Strengths: youth, length, two great hands, great attitude

Summary: At 6’8, Max Langmack became the tallest pro handball player in the history of pro handball with his qualifier win against Abraham Montijo at the 2018 R48 7 Houston. Langmack is one of the game’s most talented stars and proved that he has the game to compete against the best, bringing tremendous versatility and skill to the court, as well as one of the best attitudes in pro sports.

Sean Lenning

7 Race 4 Eight titles

Age: 4/18/1985

Height: 6’2

Hometown: Shoreline, WA

Residence: Shoreline, WA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Tucson Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Rickey Henderson

Best/favorite shot: Sapos (lucky shot)

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #1

Strengths: power, serve, unorthodox style, offense from anywhere on the court, fly kill

Summary: Sean Lenning is one of the most feared offensive players in the history of the sport with the ability to dominate any opponent at any time with a rare blend of power serves, fly kills, back wall kills, and off-balance kills. Known simply as “The Freak” for his ability to consistently make seemingly impossible shots, Lenning is always must-see viewing

Sean Lenning Thrills With a Hat Trick here

Christian Luna

Age: 4/29/1993

Height: 5”7

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Residence: Los Angeles, CA

Strong hand: right

Home court: LAAC

Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant

Favorite pre-match music:

Inspirations: “My amazing father Jesus Luna taught me this sport. He was the greatest player in Hawthorne, CA, in my eyes. In small ball, my inspiration was my amazing coach Gary Cruz.”

Best/Favorite shot: back wall kill

Strengths: power serve, power, junior pedigree, shot selection

Nick Mattioni (Inactive)

Age: 3/14/1979

Height: 6’2

Hometown: Reading, PA

Residence: Boca Raton, FL

Strong hand: right

Home court: Nashville, YMCA

Favorite athlete: Nolan Ryan

Favorite music before a match: Hells Bells AC/DC

Inspiration: My dad taught me handball and learned the game from him.  He learned in the Marine Corps.  I continue to play because it is a game that we can play the rest of our lives and to have that feel of competition 

Favorite shot: fist

Strengths: power, length, serve, fist pass

Summary: Mattioni was a former Triple A pitcher who was regularly clocked at 94 mph during his pro baseball career. Mattioni is also a former junior national handball champion who combined his 30 years of handball experience with nearly a decade in pro baseball to challenge the best R48 pros in the sport. Mattioni qualified for the R48 tour in his first two attempts and quickly became one of the most dangerous floaters in any draw

Robbie McCarthy (Inactive)

3 Race 4 Eight titles

Date of birth: 9/13/1987

Height: 6’0

Hometown: Mullingar (Ireland)

Residence: Mullingar (Ireland)

Strong hand: right

Home court: Mullingar Handball Club

Favorite athlete: Vince Munoz

Best/Favorite shot: Paddle Kill

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #6

Strengths: serve, anticipation, speed, power, adaptability, strategy, everything!

Summary: Robbie McCarthy is arguably handball’s most decorated current champion, amassing major titles on the R48 tour, All Ireland 40×20 Championships, All Ireland 60×30 Championships, All Ireland WallBall Championships, and numerous doubles championships. McCarthy appears to play effortlessly, often making the best players in the world look ordinary. Armed with a two-handed power attack, McCarthy can end rallies from anywhere on the court or rally endlessly until his opponents can no longer breathe. McCarthy won three Race 4 Eight titles in his first six R48 starts, including two U.S. Open championships. The pride of the McCarthy family in Mullingar, McCarthy exudes professionalism and a fierce desire to win

Gabhain McCrystal (Inactive)

Age: 7/19/1995

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Brackey co Tyrone, Ireland

Residence: Brackey co Tyrone, Ireland

Strong hand: right

Home court: Brackey

Favorite athlete: Ronaldo

Favorite music before a match: Calvin Harris

Inspiration: My passion for handball would probably come from when I lost my father whilst participating in the junior nationals in Chicago. Never really getting to say goodbye because I was away in America and he passed so quickly, now anytime I step in the court I try my best to make him proud. The player that inspired me to take my game to pro level would be Killian! Living with him in Boston, seeing his lifestyle and his work rate in not just handball but in any aspect of life is very motivating. He tries nothing but his best and practices everything until it’s perfect

Favorite shot: two-wall pass

Strengths: left-hand offense, Irish school handball, speed

Summary: McCrystal is a former 19-and-under U.S. national champion and brought the Irish school of handball to the R48 tour. McCrystal was adept at playing the percentage game, but could also play offense from anywhere on the court, making him unpredictable and effective

Coleman McGrath 

Age: 3/30/1998

Height: 6’2

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Residence: San Francisco, CA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: South End Rowing Club and Golden Gate Park

Favorite athlete: Mahe Drysdale, Olympic Rower from New Zealand

Favorite pre-match music: Journey, Glitch Mob, RL Grime, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Eminem

Inspiration: What inspires me to continue playing the sport is not only the love for the sport but also being able to play a sport so few can call theirs.

Best/Favorite shot: Off-balance kill shot from deep court

Strengths: fitness, power, ambidexterity, speed

Summary: McGrath is armed with tremendous two-handed power, blazing speed and supreme conditioning. McGrath demonstrated that he could beat the best, qualifying in his first attempt in Portland ’18 by defeating former R48 Elite 8 invite Stephen Cooney and adding another win in Portland against former R48 Elite 8 star Aaron Garner

Abraham Montijo

Age: 7/8/1988

Height: 5’11

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Tucson Racquet Club

Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan, Larry Fitzgerald

Inspiration: My inspiration at a young age came from our local players Fred Lewis and Andy Schad. They played the game the right way with lots of integrity and hustle. I was also inspired by Paul Brady and his decade + of dominance. Right now my inspiration lies in the kids in our program. While I do play the game because I love it, I find motivation is seeing growth in the kids I coach and seeing them in really intense, hard fought matches. It inspires me to keep improving so that hopefully they don’t beat me!

Favorite pre-match music: Hip-hop

Best/favorite shot: Power serve to the right

Strengths: tenacity, speed, serve, right-hand offense

Summary: Abraham Montijo is a relentless competitor with an insatiable drive to challenge the best, while always trying to take his game to the next level. Montijo frequently spars with the pros in Tucson. Montijo has taken down several of the best in Race 4 Eight play, to include Sean Lenning, Luis Cordova, and Stephen Cooney

Luis Moreno (Inactive)

10 Race 4 Eight titles

Age: 1/24/1989

Height: 5’11

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Tucson Racquet Club

Best/favorite shot: Fly kill

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #1

Strengths: power with both hands, hops with both hands, serve, return of serve, intensity, competitiveness  

Summary: Luis Moreno was known as “The Natural” for his ability to make such a difficult game appear to be so easy. Make no mistake, Moreno’s ability to make the game look easy was the product of thousands of hours of practice, practice that enabled “The Natural” to win nine of the first 17 Race 4 Eight events from 2011-2014. When engaged and motivated, Moreno was one of the greatest in history to ever wear a pair of gloves

Diarmuid Mulkerrins 

Age: 2/17/1999

Height: 5”9 

Hometown: Moycullen, Co. Galway 

Residence: San Angelo, Texas

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Moycullen Handball Club

Favorite athlete: Usain Bolt 

Favorite pre-match music: Anything and everything. No preference.

Inspiration: In 2004 a handball court was built in Moycullen. I started playing soon after, I can’t remember my first days but my parents brought my brothers and I down to the club and that’s where the journey began. To this day, my family are what primarily inspire me to play.   

Best/Favorite shot: Backwall kill

Strengths: Speed, retrieving abilities

Summary: Diarmuid Mulkerrins is a tenacious competitor, relying on consistency and poise under pressure to win matches. Diarmuid advanced to the quarterfinals of his first Race 4 Eight start at the 2023 R48 Houston, a rare feat in the history of the tour

Martin Mulkerrins

11 Race 4 Eight titles

Date of birth: 1/15/1993

Height: 5’11

Hometown: Moycullen, County Galway, Ireland

Residence: College Station, TX

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Moycullen

Favorite athlete: Joe Canning (Hurling)

Favorite pre-match music: whatever is popular at the time

Best/Favorite shot: back wall kill

Strengths: power, poise, ceiling game, pass shots, back wall kills

Summary: Mulkerrins is one of the sport’s treasures, boasting unprecedented two-handed power and a throwback blue-collar approach to the sport. Mulkerrins is one of the game’s gentlemen and greatest ambassadors, as evidenced by building a 1-Wall court and introducing the game to hundreds of youngsters in Adraa, Uganda on his visit to Africa in 2017. When Mulkerrins is not traveling the world to grow the game, this flamethrower is overwhelming the best players in the sport with highlight-reel, 90 mph bottom-board rollouts with either hand and a deft touch to the ceiling reminiscent of yesteryear. Mulkerrins has the game to beat anyone and win any title on either side of the Atlantic and has become one of the Race 4 Eight’s all-time greats

Dave Munson

Age: 10/5/1982

Height: 5’10

Hometown: Williston, VT

Residence: Mt. Prospect, IL

Strong hand: right

Home court: Mt. Prospect L.A. Fitness

Favorite athlete: Tom Brady

Favorite music before a match: 90’s rap

Favorite shot: back wall

Strengths: two-handed offense, serve, back wall

Summary: The Midwest Sharpshooter (TMS) was one of the game’s most potent offensive juggernauts, possessing the ability to end rallies from anywhere on the court with either hand. Munson was willing to hit the bottom board from any spot on the court, as evidenced by his first R48 main draw win against Marcos Chavez at the R48 7 Houston, where TMS reached match point at 13-all with a 36-foot mouse rollout

Diarmaid Nash

Age: 12/16/1990

Height:  5’10

Hometown: Scariff, Co. Clare Ireland

Residence: Dublin, Ireland

Strong hand:  left

Home court: Tuamgraney

Favorite athlete: Roger Federer

Favorite shot: fly kill

Strengths: speed, anticipation, consistency, court smarts

Summary: Diarmaid Nash is the only R48 pro to have never lost in the round of 16, a testament to his consistency and skills. Nash absorbs the pace of the game’s best players better than anyone in the sport, redirecting the fastest shots with dump kills into the corners with both hands. Being left-handed gives Nash an advantage, although Nash’s smooth right with leave you questioning what handed the Irishman actually is

Andy Nett (Inactive)

Age: 8/22/1980

Height: 6’2

Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

Residence: Eden Prairie, MN

Strong hand: Right

Home court:  Knopp Valley

Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan

Favorite pre-match music: Hip hop

Best/Favorite shot: Serve

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #7

Strengths: Crack serve, power, athleticism, pre-dive kills, court coverage

Summary: The Minnesota Dreamboat (MDB) possessed perhaps the greatest weapon in pro handball: a devastating and often impossible to return serve. Nett once hit 18 ace serves in a one game match to 25 against a top 15 pro, demonstrating that when his serve was on, it was going to be a short day for his opponent. A three-sport All American and Minnesota treasure, Nett was capable of knocking off the sport’s best

Niall O’Connor

Age: 3/28/1993

Height: 5’11”

Hometown: Leixlip, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

Residence: Vancouver, CAN

Strong hand: Left

Home court: NYAC

Favorite athlete: Dorian Yates

Favorite pre-match music: Disco or relentless techno, depending on the match

Inspiration: My father & my love for the game

Best/Favorite shot: Left pass shot

Strengths: two great hands, junior pedigree, serve, left-hand

Summary: O’Connor was one of the most promising junior handball players in the world in his teens, competing evenly against Killian Carroll and Diarmaid Nash in Irish junior events. O’Connor suffered a series of injuries, including shoulder surgery, that kept him off the court for several years. One glimpse at Niall reveals that is talent is second to none

Billy O’Donnell (Inactive)

Age: 7/30/1987

Height: 5’8

Hometown: Bayside, NY

Residence: Bayside, NY

Strong hand: right

Home court: NYAC

Favorite athlete: Roger Federer

Favorite music before a match: Led Zeppelin

Favorite shot: back wall kill

Strengths: unorthodox kills, trap kills, front court play

Summary: O’Donnell was one of the game’s most unique players, combining a mastery of the outdoor game with an equaled mastery of the indoor game. O’Donnell dominated the front court with lightning fast reflexes and the ability to intercept angled passes and kills, making him a very difficult challenge for any player on the tour

Mando Ortiz (Inactive)

2 Race 4 Eight titles

Age: 10/21/1988

Height: 5’6

Hometown: Norwalk, CA

Residence: Norwalk, CA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Los Angeles Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Juan Manuel Marquez (boxer)

Favorite pre-match music: Kendrick Lamar/Black Sabbath/System of the Down/Game

Best/favorite shot: rollouts

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #1

Strengths: two-handed offense, power, serve, ability to end rallies with either hand from anywhere on the court

Summary: Mando Ortiz demonstrated the ability to play with the best players in the world as a teenager, defeating then #1 Allan Garner and a host of other top players before turning 20. Ortiz experienced heart palpitations in his early 20’s and had open-heart surgery in 2010. Ortiz came back stronger than ever, defeating R48 #1 Paul Brady twice since 2014 and winning his first R48 title in January of 2016 in Houston by defeating four current or former WPH #1 pros en route to the title. Because of his ability to flat kill the ball from anywhere on the court with both hands and his magnetic personality, Ortiz was a fan-favorite and a player’s nightmare, possessing the ability to take the game out of the hands of the world’s best by serving and shooting his way to victory

Feature on Mando rising to #1 here

Ricardo Palma (Inactive)

Age: 1/30/1995

Height: 5’8″

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Residence: San Bernardino, CA

Strong hand: right

Home court: Washington Irving Middle School

Favorite athlete: Ray Lewis, Khalil Mack

Favorite pre-match music: Ariana Grande

Inspiration: It all started with school. With my first Coach (Marco Coromac) to getting a good education at Lake Forest College and being able to play handball under the watchful eye of Coach Dau

Best/Favorite shot: Backwall & Tomahawk kill

Strengths: tenacity, stiff-arm kills, right corner kill

Summary: Ricardo Palma is part of the new wave of up-and-coming Race 4 Eight talent. Palma played a hybrid outdoor/indoor game, stiff-arming service returns, controlling the center of the court by fly-killing with both hands, and never allowing his opponents to settle into the match

Emmett Peixoto (Inactive)

Age: 10/15/1982

Height: 5’10

Hometown: Watsonville, CA

Residence: Pinole, CA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: The Olympic Club

Favorite athlete: David Chapman

Favorite pre-match music: ERock

Inspiration: My inspiration has always been the pros. I grew up looking up to David Chapman and John Bike and aspired to someday reach that level. My family also inspired me, as they gave me so many opportunities to play and travel to tournaments. Most importantly, my family always believed in me, which was and still is a constant source of motivation and inspiration

Best/favorite shot: left-hand back wall kill

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #2

Strengths: speed, consistency, strong off-hand (left), tenacity, strategy

Summary: Emmett Peixoto had been one of the sport’s top players since the early 2000’s and has consistently contended for the game’s biggest prizes. Known as “The Rock,” Peixoto was a throwback player in a predominately offensive era of pro handball, willing to rally, use the ceiling, and drive his opponents to the back court before seizing his offensive opportunities. Each Race 4 Eight pro knows he needed to bring his running shoes and hardhat to play “The Rock” because win or lose, Peixoto was going to take his opponents on a tour of the court and make every match a battle of skills and attrition

Vic Perez

Age: 3/7/1989

Height: 5’10

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Residence: Los Angeles, CA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Los Angeles Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Clayton Kershaw

Favorite pre-match music: EDM (house music)

Best/favorite shot: Underhand reverse spin kill

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #7

Strengths: strength, even keel temperament, power, unorthodox rollouts

Summary: Vic Perez is the most calm and even-tempered top athlete in professional sports, always maintaining his concentration and focus, regardless of the score or the magnitude of the moment. Perez owns Race 4 Eight wins against Killian Carroll, Charly Shanks, Emmett Peixoto, David Fink, and Mando Ortiz, earning the Southern Californian the reputation as “The Giant Killer.” Perez is a dangerous sharpshooter, always adjusting to his opponent’s strengths and neutralizing what even the best do well. Perez’s right hand to the left corner kill is one of the most lethal on tour and has become one of the most feared weapons on the R48

Alberto Pizano

Age: 2/15/2003

Height: 6”1

Hometown: Guadalajara, Jalisco (MEX)

Residence: Phoenix, AZ

Strong hand: Right

Home court: O’Neil Park

Favorite Athlete: Lionel Messi

Favorite pre-match music: Corridos

Best shot: Right side front kill

Strengths: Strong (stiff-arm) left, lobs, tenacity

Summary: Albert Pizano is one of the world’s best 3-Wall big ball stars who successfully adjusted to 3-Wall, reaching the round of 16 in his first small ball start at the 2023 R48 Icebreaker and nearly upsetting R48 #1 Luis Cordova in the round of 16. Pizano’s unorthodox shot selection, power and athleticism make him a difficult matchup for any player

Daniel Relihan

Age: 7/16/1995

Height: 5’11

Hometown: Churchtown, Co. Cork.

Residence: Churchtown, Co. Cork.

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Liscarroll Handball Club, Co. Cork.

Favorite athlete: Cristiano Ronaldo

Favorite pre-match music: Post Malone

Inspiration: My parents

Best shot: Overhand tomahawk from the back court

Strengths: Eye for a kill shot, low power serve, back wall kill shot

Summary: Daniel Relihan burst onto the Race 4 Eight by winning MVP honors in his first Race 4 Eight start at the 2024 but winning his first three Race 4 Eight matches and finishing seventh. Relihan is well-schooled in the Irish style, able to rally and play consistently but also prepared to play offense from anywhere on the court. A Relihan match is never dull, as DR is looking to execute one of his thrilling Tomahawks at any moment

Ryan Pesch (Inactive)

Age: 1/30/1989

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Ames, IA

Residence: Minneapolis, MN

Strong hand: Right

Home court: University of Minnesota

Favorite athlete: Roger Federer

Favorite pre-match music: Childish Gambino

Inspiration: My initial inspiration came from Jim Howe in Ames, Iowa, but my continued passion was sustained mostly by my competitive nature and the fact that no matter how good you get, there is always some aspect of your game that is lacking. These days, my inspiration primarily comes from those I coach, who remind me how rewarding it is to pursue improvement in all facets of sport.

Best/Favorite shot: The one least-expected

Strengths: Defense, fist shots, power

Summary: Known as “DePesch Mode,” Ryan Pesch became the second attorney to be ranked on the Race 4 Eight tour by qualifying in his first attempt at the 2017 R48 6 Minnesota. Pesch was meticulous in his preparation and approach to the game, always seeking to improve his weaknesses while playing to his strengths

Danny Perez

Age: 4/23/1988

Height: 6”0

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Tucson Athletic Club/Clark Park

Favorite athlete: Christiano Ronaldo

Inspiration: Vince Munoz

Favorite music before a match: Zach Williams – Fear is a Liar

Favorite shot: left hand kill

Strengths: Power, left hand drive down the left

Summary: Danny Perez hit one of the hardest balls on tour with his left and right hand, keeping his opponents off-balance with two fast balls. Long on the fringes of the pro tour, Danny rededicated to pro handball in his mid 30’s as has made a name for himself on the Race 4 Eight and Icebreaker Series, combining his well-known power with percentage handball

Shorty Ruiz

Age: 6/2/1987

Height: 5’5

Hometown: Brea, CA

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Tucson Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Lebron James

Favorite music before a match: George Michael (Careless Whisper)

Favorite shot: Right hand right-corner kill

Strengths: Power, unpredictable shot making, intensity, fly kill

Summary: Shorty Ruiz has been revered for his outstanding skills since his teenage years, combining power, a full arsenal of shots, and a crowd-pleasing style to his all-around game. Ruiz was the first player to be ranked on the Race 4 Eight and WPH Outdoor tours simultaneously, proving that his all-around skills translate indoors and outdoors with the big ball and small ball. Ruiz was carried off the court by his fans after slamming the 2011 WPH 3WallBall Championships, defeating David Chapman and Sean Lenning along the way.  Ruiz is a big-game player who loves the biggest stage and is always a threat to the top names in the sport

Luke Sandy

Age: 7/26/1998

Height: 5”10

Hometown: Fargo, ND

Residence: Fargo ND

Strong hand: Right 

Home Court: Fercho YMCA Fargo, ND 

Favorite Athlete: Justin Jefferson 

Favorite Pre match music: rap

Inspiration: my dad for teaching me this game

Best/favorite shot: right corner kill, left hand v pass

Strengths: serve, ability to shoot with both hands 

Summary: Luke Sandy is one of the tour’s fittest stars with the ability to shoot the ball from anywhere on the court with either hand. Sandy’s fitness allows him to continue to play at his best throughout long matches and long tournaments. With a background in high level hockey, Sandy is as strong as he is fit

David Schiller “Wild Thing”

Age: 5/6/1988

Height: 5”10

Hometown: Duluth, MN

Residence: Circle Pines, MN

Strong hand: Left

Home court: Fridley Lifetime

Favorite athlete: George St. Pierre

Favorite pre-match music: Seven Lions

Inspiration: Prison – exercise and respect

Favorite shot: Fist to the right corner

Strengths: power, endurance, hustle, unorthodox rally-ending shots

Summary: David Schiller is one of handball’s most tenacious pros, willing to sacrifice his health and well-being for every ball. DSchil is one of the tour’s hardest hitters, employing an unorthodox swing he learned played big ball to strike with thunderous pace

Mike Schneider (Inactive)

Age: 10/29/1984

Height: 6’1

Hometown: Richmond Hill, NY

Residence: New York, NY

Strong hand: right

Home court: 106 and Atlantic

Favorite athlete: Mike Schneider, Sr. (dad)

Favorite music before a match: something gentlemanly

Favorite shot: potato punch

Strengths: hooks, fist kill. Fly kill, serve

Summary: Mike Schneider had the game to befuddle the best, as evidenced by his win against Sean Lenning at the 2016 R48 NYAC. Schneider’s ability to keep players off-balance with hooks on the serve and during the rally yields him offensive opportunities, which he invariably converted

Anthony Selestow (Inactive)

Age: 12/24/1987

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Menomonee Falls, WI

Residence: Menomonee Falls, WI

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Wisconsin Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Lebron James

Favorite pre-match music: Dave Matthews Band, Rap

Best/favorite shot: Crack serve

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #9

Strengths: speed, court coverage, defense, fly kill, serve

Summary: Anthony Selestow was one of the sport’s most exciting players, possessing the ability to extend rallies with his speed and quickness. Selestow played handball’s version of “Cirque du Soleil,” employing acrobatics and death-defying stunts to track down even the lowest and most seemingly impossible shots to return. Selestow notched wins against some of the game’s top stars, including Sean Lenning, David Chapman, and David Fink, proving that his high-flying act was entertaining and highly effective

Charly Shanks

2 Race 4 Eight titles

Age:

Height: 6”2

Hometown: Lurgan, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland

Residence: Lurgan, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland

Strong hand: Right

Home court: New York Athletic Club

Best/favorite shot: Crack serve

Strengths: Serve, power, left-hand offense

Summary: Charly Shanks became just the fourth player to reach number one on the Race 4 Eight tour, starting his Race career unranked in 2011 and reaching the pinnacle of the tour in 2013. Shanks won two Race 4 Eight titles and was always a factor late in events. Honing his serve through hours of practice at the New York Athletic Club, Shanks could literally take the ball out of your hands with a seemingly endless stream of ace serves. Never afraid to take chances, even in the biggest moments of a match, Shanks would attempt and convert deep court kills with his left and right hands, leaving opponents bewildered and stunned. Shanks holds the distinct honor of becoming the first Irish-born player to reach number one on the Race 4 Eight, inspiring future Irish Race 4 Eight number one’s Paul Brady, Killian Carroll and Martin Mulkerrins

Tyler Stoffel (Inactive)

Age: 7/23/1996

Height: 6’0

Hometown: Mankato, MN

Residence: Mankato, MN

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Minnesota State University (Mankato)

Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant

Inspiration: Passion comes from my dad. I started playing in tournaments at 7 years old and he’s been my coach ever since. I try and model my game after finesse players as I do not have the power of some of the top tour players. Players I’ve tried to emulate are Emmett and Chapman

Favorite pre-match music: Hip hop and rap

Best/Favorite shot: Back wall shot

Strengths: Ambidexterity, anticipation, back wall kill, demeanor 

Summary: Tyler Stoffel qualified for the Race 4 Eight tour for the first time at 20 years old and became the youngest ranked pro on the tour at the time. Stoffel is a former All-American collegiate handball star at Mankato State University, having advanced to the USHA Collegiate National final in 2016. Stoffel played with the poise of a veteran, seemingly always in control of his decision-making and temperament

Jeff Streibig

Age: 11/16/1986

Height: 5”11

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Residence: St. Louis, MO

Strong hand: right

Home court: Hinder Club

Favorite athlete: Mike Benkelman

Favorite pre-match music: Rock N Roll

Inspiration: Father (Dave Streibig)

Best/Favorite shot: deep court right-hand kill

Strengths: hustle, speed, offense with both hands

Summary: Streibig personifies never-say-die handball, as this “St. Louis Scrapper” (SLS) will sacrifice his body for any ball at any moment in a match. Streibig earned his first R48 ranking point at the 2020 RFC, defeating Canadian phenom Ivan Burgos to join the elite of the sport. Streibig blends power and hustle, while always looking for his opportunity to find the bottom board

Pete Svennungsen

Age: 11-11-1980

Height: 6’3”

Hometown: Shelby, Montana

Residence:  Spokane, WA

Strong hand: Right

Home court:  Spokane Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Steph Curry

Favorite pre-match music: Black Album, Jay-Z (if any)

Inspiration: My Dad dragged me to a lot of his tournaments across Montana/Northwest growing up.  I was inspired to play by watching my favorites then—Jeremy Morton, Eric Plummer, Justin and Jay Balkenbush.  I continue to play for a lot of reasons, but mainly because I enjoy the one-on-one competition and want to see how well I can play now that I have the time to do it (since starting my own law practice in 2016). 

Best/Favorite shot: cross-court corner kill

Strengths:  speed, off-hand, old-school serves

Summary: “Svenny” is a former college basketball star turned attorney who uses his lifetime of handball experience and analytical thinking to compete with the game’s best. Svenny nearly authored the greatest upset in the history of the Race 4 Eight, leading 10-time R48 champion Luis Moreno 19-4 and 23-19 in a one game qualifier match to 25 at the 2018 R48 7 Montana

Erik Torres

Age: 2/16/1992

Height: 5’9

Hometown: East Palo Alto, CA

Residence: East Palo Alto, CA

Strong hand: right

Home court: Olympic Club

Favorite athlete: Rafael Nadal

Favorite music before a match: G-easy

Inspiration: My passion comes from all other players, especially at the pro level. I love to see these guys play their hearts out, sacrificing their bodies and making amazing shots. My family has also played a big part in my passion, they push me to always be the best version of myself. Emmett Peixoto has inspired me to play at the pro level. Since I started playing in 2008 he has been the player to look up to and gun for.

Favorite shot: left hand to the right corner (front wall first and cracking out on the right wall)

Strengths: poise, effortless power, serve, court coverage

Summary: The Olympic Club’s Torres is one of the R48 tour’s most stylish players, appearing to make every swing effortless, while generating a tremendous amount of two-handed power. Torres owns one of the best left crack serves in the sport, seemingly able to roll the ball out off the left side wall as often as anyone in the game

Ray Ure

Age: 2/11/2002

Height: 6’ 1”

Hometown: Des Plaines, IL

Residence: Mankato, MN

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Minnesota State

Favorite athlete: Kris Bryant

Favorite pre-match music: Indie Rock

Inspiration: Parents, Don Quinlan, and everyone I’ve met at handball tournaments growing up

Best/Favorite shot: Back-wall

Strengths: Endurance from running, as well as being able to move the opponent around the court with pass shots in order to create openings and slowly wear them down

Summary: Ray is a multi-sport athlete who runs a 4:20 mile for the college team at the University of Minnesota, Mankato and has also been an all-state diving champion and throws a baseball 85 miles per hour. When not dominating other sports, Ure is one of the youngest to ever qualify on the Race 4 Eight tour and a decorated junior national champion. Ure’s effortless power and court coverage, combined with exceptional conditioning and speed makes him one of the most exciting players in the sport

David Walsh

Age: 1/4/1999

Height: 5’11”

Hometown: Mallow, Co. Cork

Residence: Mallow, Co. Cork

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Mallow HC

Favorite athlete: Usain Bolt, Roger Federer 

Favorite pre-match music: Whatever is current at the time 

Inspiration: My younger brother Conor started playing handball and I began not long after, I have loved the sport ever since. Watching the world’s finest in the U.S. and at home in Ireland has inspired me to be the best I can be! 

Best/Favorite shot: Fist Kill, Hop Serve

Strengths: Power, even-keeled disposition, clutch play, two-strong hands

Summary: David Walsh is one of the brightest stars in the sport with the physical and mental tools to reach the top tier of the Race 4 Eight. Walsh won the 19-and-under USHA 4-Wall junior national championship in December of 2018, which has traditionally served a springboard to handball greatness. Armed with excellent power and command of both the Irish whip and the sidearm stroke, look for Walsh to climb the Race 4 Eight rankings in the coming seasons!

Catriona Casey, 2023/24 WR48 Player’s Cup Champion for finishing as the year-end #1 player

Women’s Race 4 Eight (listed alphabetically)

Leslie Amminson (Inactive)

Age: 1/18/1997

Height: 5’1

Hometown: St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Residence: St. John’s, NL, Canada

Strong hand: right

Home court: YMCA Northeast Avalon, St. John’s, NL

Favorite athlete: Roger Federer

Favorite pre-match music: St. Vincent

Inspiration: Dad (Wayne). His enthusiasm for the game is unmatched and so motivational

Best/Favorite shot: right wall sidearm pass shot

Strengths: calm disposition, passion for the game, two good hands

Summary: Taught to play by her father, Wayne, Leslie traveled to international handball tournaments starting in her early teens. Leslie developed a reliable all-around game, complete with two good hands and the ability to play offense and defense

Taylor Bell

Age: 9/3/1999

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Fair Grove, Missouri

Residence: Springfield, Missouri

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Dr. Thomas H. Burnett Handball Courts on the Missouri State University campus

Favorite athlete: Taylor Swift’s boyfriend 

Favorite pre-match music: Early 2000s bangers

Inspiration: The legendary program that is the Missouri State Handball Team! My mom and my dad both played at MSU for Coach Tommy Burnett, and then I followed in their footsteps, becoming the first product of what is lovingly called the “Handball Breeding Program”. My coaches and teammates made my college experience incredible; I never want to lose that sense of community that the handball world has brought me.

Best shot: Ceiling

Strengths: Overhand, length, and competitive nature

Summary: Taylor Bell is one of the Midwest’s best players, regularly finishing in the final rounds of the Midwest’s biggest events. Bell has taken her game to the WR48, demonstrating her athleticism and power in challenging the world’s best players

Catriona Casey

29 WR48 titles

Age: 8/10/1993

Height: 5’3

Hometown: Ballydesmond, Co. Cork, Ireland

Residence: Ballydesmond, Co. Cork, Ireland

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Ballydesmond Handball Club

Favorite athlete: Roger Federer

Favorite pre-match music: Anything up temp

Best/favorite shot: Fly corner kill

Strengths: Adaptability, ball control, two-handed offense, defense, everything!

Summary: Catriona Casey is perhaps the most skilled women’s player in history, possessing no discernable weaknesses, two equally strong hands and the ability to make match-changing adjustments on the biggest stages. Casey plays must-see handball, as her on-court elegance and grace is unmatched in today’s game. A true perfectionist, Casey is always seeking to improve, regardless of the outcome of a match or tournament. By the end of Casey’s career, Casey could be the most accomplished athlete in sports history

Danielle Daskalakis

1 WR48 title

Age: 3/5/1990

Height: 5’4

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Residence: Brooklyn, NY

Strong hand: Left

Home court: Westside YMCA

Favorite athlete: Derek Jeter and Ronda Rousey

Favorite pre-match music: Southpaw soundtrack

Best/favorite shot: Power serve with reverse

Strengths: serve, front court play, hops, competitiveness

Summary: Danielle Daskalakis has established herself as one of the best all-around handball players in the world, ranking at or near the top in women’s 4-Wall, 3-Wall, and 1-Wall. Daskalakis owns the best serves in women’s handball and often follows her devastating serve with a first-strike kill. Daskalakis’ impressive all-around play makes her a fan favorite in every city in which she competes and a threat to any player on the Women’s Race 4 Eight tour. Daskalakis brings a hybrid outdoor-indoor style to the Women’s Race 4 Eight tour that befuddles even the greatest stars.

Tracy Davis (Inactive)

Age: 3/30/1977

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Residence: Livermore, CA

Home court: Asser Levy/Coney Island/West 5^th St.

Strong hand: Right

Favorite athlete: Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, Rookie Wright

Favorite pre-match music: HAM by Kanye West

Inspiration: Cesar Sala and Priscilla Shumate were the biggest inspirations for me when I started playing pro, both in my attitude toward the sport (Sala) and technical skill and playing style (Shumate). Shumate was so graceful in the court, especially being so tall, with which I could identify. I loved watching her play. 

Best/favorite shot: Any shot that ends the rally

Strengths: Serve, fly kill, poise, paddle kills

Summary: Tracy Davis is a living legend in the sport and was one of the best players in the game into her early 40s. Davis was unquestionably the fittest player competing in any of the Race 4 Eight brackets, as well as being one of the most well liked. Davis always won and lost with class, always serving as an ambassador to the sport. Davis’ “serve-and-shoot” style made her dangerous against any opponent, while her mental toughness kept her in every match

Ciana Ni Churraoin

1 Race 4 Eight Title

Age: 9/3/1996

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Invern, Galway, Ireland

Residence: Invern, Galway, Ireland

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Cumann liathroid laimhe Michael Breathnach

Favorite athlete: Roger Federer

Best/favorite shot: Sidearm corner kill

Strengths: power with both hands, balance, offense with both hands, work ethic

Summary: Ciana Ni Churraoin took the Women’s Race 4 Eight tour by storm, advancing to the final in her first WR48 start at the 2015 NYAC Invitational at just 18 years old. Ni Churraoin became the first woman to win a game in WR48 play against Catriona Casey in the final of the 2015 WR48 NYAC and pushing the WR48 #1 to the limit in the process. Ni Churraoin possesses the two-handed power and athleticism to place her on the short list of favorites of any event she enters

Suz Entzeroth

Age: 5/20/1990

Height: 5’8 ½

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Residence: St. Louis, MO

Strong hand: right

Home court: St. Louis Hinder Club

Favorite athlete: Serena Williams (boss)

Favorite music before a match: hip hop/rap—mostly Drake

Inspiration: The person who I have to thank for being a handball player is Tommy Burnett (Missouri State Coach) He pushed me to play, taught me the game, and his support over the years has led me to where I am today. His dedication to his players is what inspired me to push myself to be better.  He’s the type of coach you just want to make proud. Another person that helped me in my handball career was David Chapman, he inspired me to be a better technical and mentally focused player than I was.  I still have his DVD’s he gave me of his tutorial sessions, so even though he’s gone I can still watch those videos to keep my fundamentals grounded.  He even signed them for me, along with a handful of his jerseys.  I am very honored to have these cherished items that he gave me just months before he passed. 

Favorite shot: fist shot

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #7

Strengths: athleticism, length, competiveness

Summary: The Missouri Dynamo (TMD) is a student of the game, taking lessons from the late great David Chapman and always studying the techniques and strategies of today’s top players. Koehler is one of the tour’s heroes, serving in the military to preserve our freedom. Koehler is a fan favorite everywhere she plays, a testament to her great attitude and relentless determination

Mikaila Esser

Age: 6/25/1993

Height: 5’10”

Hometown: Blue Springs, MO

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: right hand

Home court: Tucson Racquetball Club/Clark Park

Favorite pre-match music: I actually focus better not listening to music. During practice I’ll just put my music on shuffle while I warm up. 

Inspiration: The players on the Missouri State handball team inspired me to play. They took me in instantly and if it weren’t for those people I don’t think I would have continued playing. 

Best/Favorite shot: my ceiling shot

Strengths: Power, reach, calm disposition

Summary: Mikaila came to handball from volleyball, picking up handball as a college student at Missouri State University. Mikaila’s athletic ability enabled her to develop her handball game quickly, as she made her way into the WR48 top 10 with overhand power and court coverage

Niamh Heffernan

Age: 11/24/2001

Height: 5”4

Hometown: Carnmore, Co. Galway, IRE

Residence: Carnmore, Co. Galway, IRE

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Claregalway handball ally

Favorite athlete: Katie Taylor

Favorite pre-match music: Drink and Shout by Prezioso, Vini Vici, Shibui

Inspiration: Paul Brady, since a young age I’ve always looked up to Paul and I loved watching him play

Best shot: Low serve down the right side

Strengths: determination, great fundamentals, shot selection, patience

Summary: Niamh won the 2023 USHA collegiate national championships and continued her success on the WR48, finishing third in her first WR48 start at the 2024 WR48 Chapman Memorial. Well-schooled in the percentage Irish handball school, Heffernan patiently rallies, waiting to pounce on any opening

Jennifer Hinman (Inactive)

Age: 12/05/73

Height: 5’7″

Hometown: Hood River OR 

Residence: Hood River OR

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Hood River Elks Club

Favorite athlete: Brother – Kirk Hinman who has the most natural ability I’ve ever seen. 

Inspiration: My father got me started after I blew my arm pitching.  I was hooked after my first match.  My family and local players are very supportive, but I think my mom is my biggest fan, which contributes to my continuing to play.  My son is my biggest inspiration.  With him, I simply feel blessed with being able to step on the court and to play with what I have no matter the expected outcome.  Teaching him that having heart for something does not always mean being the best.  It means having fun and being the best with what you have. 

Best shot: Ceiling ball to the left and the fist shot equally

Strengths: tenacity, passion for the game, hustle, consistency

Summary: “The Hin” was consistently one of the U.S.’s top women’s pros from 2007-2012, defeating all of the top American players throughout the course of the five-year stretch. A knee injury has sidelined Jennifer for the better part of the last five years, but when healthy, Hinman provided a stern test for virtually any player on the WR48. The Hin is handball’s Charlie Hustle, routinely diving multiple times in rallies and fighting for every point

Aoife Holden

Age: 11/16/1998

Height: 5”8

Hometown: Thomastown Kilkenny (Ireland) 

Residence: San Angelo TX

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Kilfane 

Favorite athlete: Ducksy Walsh 

Favorite pre-match music: something upbeat – pop 

Inspiration: My dad plays handball and brought my brothers and I to the handball court when we were young and it started from there.

Best/Favorite shot: corner kill

Strength: power, left hand 

Summary: Aoife brings tremendous poise and power to the WR48, relying on her athleticism and strategy to win matches. A student of the game, Aoife is always watching matches to improve her skills

Megan McCann (Inactive)

Age: 8/24/1999

Height: 5’7

Hometown: Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland

Residence: Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland

Strong hand: right 

Home court: Eugene Quinn’s, Armagh 

Favorite athlete: Anthony Joshua 

Favorite music: big baby D.R.A.M-Broccoli ft. lil yachty

Inspiration: I began playing when my neighbors said it wasn’t cool not to play, and seeing the top players, Fiona Shannon and Aisling Reilly, with their standard, inspired me to continue and aim to be the best.

Favorite shot: right corner fly kill 

Strengths: Youth, enthusiasm, speed, power

Summary: McCann won the 2019 19-and-under Irish junior national championship and was part of the next generation of WR48 talent. 2M was armed with a deadly right-hand kill and tremendous court coverage

Aoife McCarthy (Inactive)

Date of birth: 11/24/1992

Height: 5’1

Hometown: Mullingar, Ireland

Residence: Mullingar, Ireland

Strong hand: right

Home court: Mullingar Handball Club

Favorite athlete: Rafael Nadal

Best/Favorite shot: Back wall Kill

Strengths: serve, back wall kill, intensity, fist pass shots

Summary: Aoife McCarthy was perhaps best known as her brother Robbie’s biggest fan, but make no mistake, Ms. McCarthy possesses an outstanding game that has seen her take down several of the best women in the sport, to include American WR48 stars Danielle Daskalakis, Tracy Davis, and Ashley Moler. Aoife owned one of the best serves on the WR48 tour, capable of earning aces and first-strike opportunities

Eilise Mc Crory

Age: 3/13/1998

Height: 5’1

Hometown: Beragh

Residence: Co.Tyrone Ireland

Strong hand: Left

Home court: Breacach Handball Club

Favorite athlete: Rafael Nadal

Favorite pre-match music: Techno Remixs’

Inspiration: My Dad inspired me to play as he brought me to my first game. He continues to stand by me and coach me through my tough times so he’s the biggest inspiration I have.

Best/Favorite shot: Passing shot

Strengths: Serve/Back wall kill

Summary: EM is a stylish lefty with the explosive game to challenge the best players on the WR48. Armed with one of the most powerful and precise kill kills on the WR48, this Tyrone star is a proven force on the tour

Martina McMahon (Inactive)

1 WR48 title

Age: 2/3/1995

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Dromcollogher, Co. Limerick, Ireland

Residence: Dromcollogher, Co. Limerick, Ireland

Strong hand: Left

Home court: Broadford HBC

Favorite athlete: Muhammad Ali

Favorite pre-match music: Mark McCabe Maniac 2000

Best/favorite shot: Left-handed left corner kill

Strengths: Effortless power, smooth strokes, corner kills, back wall kill

Summary: Martina McMahon is grace personified, from her elegant strokes to her breathtaking shot making. McMahon burst onto the Women’s Race 4 Eight scene as a 20-year old at the Women’s Race 4 Eight ’15 at the New York Athletic Club, advancing to the semifinals and taking third. McMahon is a WR48 champion (Tucson ’17), placing herself on the very short list of women to ever defeat Catriona Casey. McMahon trains more than twenty hours per week to prepare for tournaments, making her one of the most devoted athletes in the sport

Clodagh Munroe

Age: 02/19/04

Height: 5”7

Hometown: Carrickmore, Co.Tyrone Ireland

Residence: Mankato, MN

Strong hand: Right hand

Home court: Carrickmore, Co.Tyrone

Favorite athlete: David Clifford (gaelic footballer)

Favorite pre-match music: Country/ sad music

Inspiration: Parents

Best/Favorite shot: roof shot

Strengths: power, serve, roof shot

Summary: Clodagh burst onto the Race 4 Eight as a teenager, advancing to the final of her first WR48 start at the 2023 WR48 New Orleans Mardi Gras. Clodagh’s consistency and court coverage keeps her in every match, while her stiff-arm left kills and well-placed ceiling shots keep her opponents off-balance and scrambling

Courtney Peixoto de Melo (Inactive)

Age: 3/17/1984

Height: 5’4

Hometown: Watsonville, CA

Residence: Watsonville, CA

Strong hand: right

Home court: Imperial Courts in Aptos, CA

Favorite athlete: Dominique Dawes

Favorite music before a match: Gangster rap

Inspiration: The reason I started playing was because (my brother) Emmett played and he was my best friend so I wanted to play too. I’d say Emmett is still my inspiration because somehow he has never gotten tired of handball after playing nonstop and training all the time. He has always encouraged me to keep playing. 

Favorite shot: fly kill

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #5

Strengths: hooks, fly kill, serve, corner kills

Summary: CPM was a childhood prodigy from Northern California, winning multiple junior national titles and advancing to her first pro national singles final at just 20. Armed with the best hop serve in women’s handball, CPM followed her dominating serve with a two-handed offensive attack, making her one of the most dangerous competitors on the WR48

Aisling Reilly (Inactive)

1 WR48 title

Age: 2/8/1989

Height: 5’10

Hometown: Belfast, Ireland

Residence: Belfast, Ireland

Strong hand: Right

Home court: St. Paul’s G.A.C.

Favorite athlete: Serena Williams

Favorite pre-match music: Random playlist

Best/favorite shot: Back wall kill

Strengths: Power, ball control, confidence, deep court kills, rising to the occasion

Summary: Reilly is the two-time world champion (’12 and ’15), making her one of the sport’s best big-game players. Reilly’s power and finesse is lethal combination, as the Belfast superstar dominated her opponents with great offense and great defense. Reilly thrived on the biggest stages and relishes the opportunity to face the best of the best on the sport’s biggest matches

Ashley Ruiz

Age: 1/23/1987

Height: 5’7

Hometown: Burlington, IA

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: right

Home court: Tucson Racquet Club

Favorite athlete: Giancarlo Stanton

Favorite music before a match: country

Inspiration: I was inspired to play handball mostly by my dad and brother. After playing softball a year in college I quit and was so bored without having competitive sports, we made handball a family ritual. The event that got me hooked was the Tallcorn in Des Moines. Currently, my inspiration to continue playing is from Shorty (Ruiz) and our (Tucson) round table crew. Some days I don’t feel like playing, but our group is like family, so I don’t want to let them down. 

Favorite shot: fist tomahawk

Strengths: fist kill, back wall kill, power

Summary: Dr. Ashley Moler is a former collegiate softball star that shifted her focus and passion to handball. Dr. Moler is part of the thriving Tucson handball community, often playing top level players up to five times per week in preparation for WR48 events. Moler advanced to her first WR48 semifinal at the Las Vegas WR48 ’18, displaying the talent that is on display weekly in Tucson sparring matches. Dr. Moler possesses the ability to flummox her WR48 peers with tomahawk kills, fist kills, and fist passes, often leaving her opponents bewildered

Taylor Rumping

Age: 10/21/1997

Height: 5”8

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Residence: Warrensburg, MO

Strong hand: Right

Home court: St. Louis Hinder Club

Favorite athlete: Albert Pujols

Favorite pre-match music: Alternative

Inspiration: My dad

Best shot: Back wall kill shot

Strengths: back wall, power serve, mental toughness

Summary: Taylor Rumping is a former collegiate star turned WR48 pro, impressively finishing ninth in her first WR48 start at the 2024 WR48 Chapman Memorial. A back wall kill specialist, Rumping patiently waits for her opportunities to pounce, often with a two-inch high back wall roll out

Hilary Rushe (Inactive)

Age: 1/2/1990

Height: 5’11

Hometown: Roscommon, Roscommon county, Ireland

Residence: Chicago, IL

Strong hand: right

Home court: St. Comans

Favorite athlete: Serena Williams and Roger Federer

Favorite music before a match: Lil Wayne

Favorite shot: right hand kill

Highest Race 4 Eight Ranking: #9

Strengths: length, right hand offense, mental toughness

Summary: Rushe was one of the game’s top cross over stars, having won multiple 3-Wall national titles, as well as holding a top 10 WR48 ranking. Originally from Ireland, Rushe now makes her home in Chicago, where she trained daily to challenge the best WR48 stars in the game. Rushe was nearly automatic with her right hand kill, forcing her opponents to make perfect shots or pay the price

Jennifer Schmitt (Inactive)

Age: 12/31/1968

Height: 5’6″

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Residence: New Braunfels, TX

Strong hand: Depends on the shot

Home court: San Antonio Thousand Oaks YMCA

Favorite athlete: My sons, Taylor (tennis) and Dylan (basketball). I would rather watch and cheer them on than anyone. I am a tennis fan, though, and have followed the rise of Dominic Thiem. I think he will be the next dominant number one.

Favorite pre-match music: Playlist includes a very eclectic mix of classical, classic rock, and alternative. The last song stuck in my head while playing ball was “Drift Away.” 

Inspiration: My family, including my parents, four brothers and sister Allie, and my husband Danny. The amazing people I have met playing handball throughout my life make the sport more than just a sport: friends, coaches, and my husband. I think the sheer challenge of it makes players respect one another immediately, and sets up a camaraderie like no other group.

Best/Favorite shot: Left fist, AKA “The Club” …It could be a kill, a pass down the wall, a ceiling shot, or a miss-hit that goes who-knows-where, but it is usually hit hard, so you’d better move….

Strengths: ambidextrous, left fist variety, experience, shot selection, passion for the game

Summary: Jennifer major titles in each of the past four decades. Jennifer boasts that she is “50+, but still playing & having fun,” a credit to playing handball for her entire life with her family and husband. Jennifer was still a major threat in her 50’s, as evidenced by winning the first ever WR48 Pre Qualifier in Austin, TX (April ’19) at the age of 50

Fionna Tully

Age: 8/5/1998

Height: 5’4

Hometown: Roscommon, Ireland 

Residence: Roscommon, Ireland

Strong hand: right 

Home court: St. Comans

Favorite athlete: Katie Taylor

Favorite pre-match music:  Whatever is in the charts 

Inspiration: followed my older sister in playing one time and I’ve been playing ever since! 

Best/Favorite shot: corner kill 

Strengths: right-hand kill, serve, consistency

Summary: Fionna burst onto the WR48 at the 2019 San Francisco Olympic Club, defeating WR48 top 10 pros Danielle Daskalakis in the round of 16 and Ashley Moler in the quarterfinals to finish third in her first WR48 start. Tully possesses the game to reach the top of the sport, as the young Irish woman can play offense and defense with both hands

Aimee Tuohey

1 WR48 title

Date of birth: 5/11/1988

Height: 5’6

Hometown: Acworth, GA

Residence: Acworth, GA

Strong hand: Ambidextrous

Home court: LA Fitness Sandy Springs, GA

Favorite athlete: Andre Agassi

Favorite pre-match music: Pop Country

Best/Favorite shot: Left hand back court kill

Best Race 4 Eight Finish: 4^th (NYAC ’17, Salt Lake City ‘17)

Inspiration: (Growing up): Suhn Lee and Nikolai Nahorniak. I grew up with them and they were awesome players and I was inspired to beat them, which never happened, but I did practice close to every single day from 12 years old through the end of high school trying to accomplish that goal.

People who inspire me now: My Sandy Springs LA Fitness Atlanta players, Bruce Handleman, Catriona Casey, Martina McMahon, and Killian Carroll. My Atlanta people because they love me and are supportive and awesome people, Bruce because he believes in me, Catriona and Martina because they’re bomb women players who kick *** and don’t get involved in drama and they are at tourneys to play and win, and Killian because he’s an incredibly hard worker and I love how he plays.

Strengths: Two great hands, fitness, consistency, competitiveness

Summary: Armed with two deadly hands, Tuohey is capable of ending rallies with either hand from virtually any spot on the court, while also possessing the ability to defend from anywhere on the court with either hand. Tuohey’s supreme fitness makes her a favorite in long matches, as she is as fresh late in a third game as she in to start a match

Kyra Vidas (Inactive)

Age: 04/06/1996

Height: 5’7”

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Residence: Chicago, Illinois

Strong hand: Right

Home courts: Lake Forest College or Des Plaines Lattof YMCA

Favorite athlete: Rob Gronkowski aka ‘The Gronk’, Serena Williams, and my father Kirk Vidas (Played pro basketball in the EuroLeague) 

Favorite pre-match music: country music

Inspiration: My freshman year at Lake Forest College took a big turn. I went from being a basketball player my whole life to being a handball player. On my first day of College, I met Anthony Collado, who convinced me to try handball out after knowing my athletic background. I knew what the game was from my cousins through marriage, the Mehilos’, but never thought I would be playing it. Once I got on the court, I knew I found something different, but I liked it. After meeting Coach Dau and the handball community that follows throughout my first year of tournaments, there was no turning back. One of my favorite highlights that truly got me to understand the game was my first experience at the 2015 Collegiate Tournament where LFC came out on top in all three divisions, and Daniel Cordova won the Men’s Open Singles title defeating Martin Mulkerrins for the first time. I remember sitting in the left corner by the glass at the MAC in Portland…..I could hear and see every kill shot. After Daniel’s and our teams big wins, I knew our Tradition of Excellence at LFC meant something to our team and Coach Dau, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that forever. Since then, I have continued to work on my game, and have been getting exposure to R48 and WR48 tournaments. Choosing to play and working to get better has been one of the best decisions, and I am forever grateful of the opportunity Coach Dau gave me my freshman year, as well as those involved in local, nationwide, and pro tournaments who welcomed me in to one of the best communities. 

Best/Favorite shot: Right-hand, right corner kill

Strengths: positive attitude, athleticism, ball control, court coverage

Summary: Known as “K3,” Vidas burst onto the Race 4 Eight scene in late 2018 as a legitimate WR48 top eight contender and WPH reporter. A self-described “handball junkie,” K3 displays more passion and enthusiasm for the sport than virtually anyone in the game, sometimes traveling to tournaments on four consecutive weekends

David Fink, 2023/24 SR48 Player’s Cup Champion for finishing as the year-end #1 player

Senior Race 4 Eight (listed alphabetically)

Naty Alvarado, Jr. (Inactive)

4 SR48 titles

Age: 8/6/1973

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Victorville, CA

Residence: Spring Valley Lake, Victorville, CA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Spring Valley Lake Country Club, LAAC

Favorite athlete: Bo Jackson

Favorite pre-match music: Industrial music

Best/favorite shot: Crack serves

Strengths: Serve, offense, experience, everything!

Summary: Naty Alvarado Jr. was one of the greatest handball players to ever wear a pair of gloves. Ranked inside the top five from the mid 1990’s through 2014 on the pro tour, Alvarado is one of the most consistently great players the game has ever seen. Armed with incredible discipline and dedication to his craft, Alvarado’s skills north of the age of 40 were still very close to his years at the top of the sport. Alvarado’s serve, power, competitiveness, and aura made him one of the must-see attractions on the Race 4 Eight tour

Dan Armijo (Inactive)

Height: 5’11

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

Residence: Rotan, Honduras

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Rotan, Honduras

Best/favorite shot: back wall kill

Strengths: Two good hands, anticipation, speed, shot selection, back wall kill

Summary: Known as “The Hand,” Dan Armijo is a living legend in pro handball. Armijo turned pro in the 1980’s and embarked upon a sensational career that saw him defeat nearly every big name in the sport, including Naty Alvarado Sr, Naty Alvarado, Jr, Sean Lenning, Luis Moreno, Emmett Peixoto, and the rest of the who’s who in the sport. Armijo put all of his opponents to the test with a cerebral strategy that examined every aspect of their skills

Danny Bell (Inactive)

Age: 10/13/1961

Height: 6”0

Hometown: Quebec City, Canada

Residence: Quebec City, Canada

Strong hand: right

Home court: Peps at Laval University

Favorite athlete: Wayne Gretzky

Favorite music: U2

Inspiration: the love of the game and Roger Federer  

Best/Favorite shot: soft dump shots

Strengths: dump kills, intensity, power serve, handball iq, experience

Summary: Danny Bell is a modern marvel that regularly beat professional players 40 years his junior. A former USHA Spalding/Gatorade Pro Stop champion and former #2 ranked pro, Danny Bell continued to remain a threat on the handball court 35 years after making his professional handball debut. Bell’s unique blend of dump kills, power serves, paddle kills, court savvy and fist pumps made the Canadian legend one the most exciting players to watch and most difficult to play

Adam Bernhard

Height: 6’2

Hometown: Houston, TX

Residence: Austin, TX

Strong hand: right

Home court: Gregory Gym

Favorite athlete: Rafael Nadal

Inspiration: I am inspired by the challenge that is playing handball well against a variety of opponents.  I am inspired by the thought of reaching my potential.

Best/favorite shot: right hand v pass to the left

Strengths: patience, defense, back wall kill, strategy

Summary: “Weekend at Bernie’s” is a Harvard educated attorney who brings his courtroom wits to the handball court, putting his opponents to the test on virtually every rally by keeping the ball out of their strike zones and forcing them to play long and analytical rallies. This Texas handball legend has amassed dozen of major titles in the Lone Star State and has proven that he can compete against the best in the world on the SR48

John Bike, Jr. (Inactive)

Age: 2/18/1966

Height: 6”1

Hometown: Fairfield, CT

Residence: Spring Valley Lake, Victorville, CA

Strong hand: Left

Home court: Spring Valley Lake Country Club

Favorite athlete: Lupe Alvarado Bike

Favorite pre-match music: Narco

Inspiration: Family

Best/Favorite shot: Reverse hop

Strengths: Power, hall of fame presence, aura, defense

Summary: John Bike was one of the handball’s greatest pros throughout the twentieth century and thrilled fans and players with each Race 4 Eight start. In his forties and playing after shoulder surgery, Bike was still a force on the R48 and SR48 tours, pushing a number of the game’s top stars in qualifier and main draw matches, while winning the inaugural SR48 Player’s Cup during the 2012/23 season. The Bicrowave continues to support the Race 4 Eight, popping in for guest appearances on ESPN broadcasts, supporting his son Jab Bike at virtually all of the Race 4 Eight stops and donating to the WPH to keep our sport flourishing

Gavin Buggy (Inactive)

1 SR48 title

Age: 1/12/1974

Height: 6’5

Hometown: Wexford, Ireland

Residence: Wexford, Ireland

Strong hand: Right

Home court: St. Josephs Wexford

Favorite athlete: Austin Gleeson (hurling)

Favorite pre-match music: none

Best/favorite shot: Deep court Irish whip kill

Best Senior Race 4 Eight Finish: Champion (Player’s Championship 2016)

Strengths: Fist to the ceiling, back wall kill, Irish whip kill, court coverage, return of serve

Summary: Unknown to most American fans and aided by a super fan, Buggy stormed into the 2016 SR48 Player’s Championship and dominated the best SR48 field of the season, including squashing Marcos Chavez’s perfect SR48 season and bid for his third straight SR48 title in the Portland final. Buggy’s unorthodox style and 6”5 frame make him one of the most interesting players to watch in the sport

Leo Canales, Sr.

Age: 12/9/1965

Height: 5’4

Hometown: Juarez, MEX

Residence: El Paso, TX

Strong hand: right

Home court: San Angel YMCA

Favorite athlete: Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan

Favorite pre-match music: Progressive Rock

Inspiration: Naty Alvarado, Sr., Poncho Monreal, Luis Clarke, Cordova Brothers

Best/Favorite shot: Fly fist shot

Strengths: speed, tenacity, endurance, explosive first step

Summary: Leo Canales Sr. became the oldest qualifier in R48 history at 52 years of age, upsetting top 16 R48 stars Shorty Ruiz and Abraham Montijo in the 2018 Tucson R48 Pre Qualifier. Canales Sr. is a Northern Mexico Hall of Fame inductee for racquetball and is well on his way to a second induction for handball. El Senor is one of the few players in Race 4 Eight history to simultaneously hold a R48 and SR48 ranking, earning a ranking spot on both tours at the 2018 Tucson Memorial. Canales Sr. brings one of the biggest hearts and best attitudes to every match, making El Senor a difficult challenge for any opponent

Marcos Chavez (Inactive)

10 SR48 titles

Age: 3/20/1974

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA

Residence: Yorba Linda, CA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Los Angeles Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant

Best/favorite shot: back wall kill, overhand paddle with spin to the corners rollout

Highest SR48 Ranking: #1 (2016)

Best Race 4 Eight Finish: SR48 9-time champion

Strengths: Mixing up his game, preventing his opponents from rhythm, back wall kill, psychological warfare

Summary: The SR48 Player’s Champion was a force on not just the SR48 tour, but the R48 tour as well. Playing as well in his early 40’s as he did in his mid 20’s, this crowd-favorite dazzled galleries and frustrated opponents with a mixture of finesse, speed and sneaky power. Chavez possessed the game to defeat any player on any tour

David Fink

15 SR48 titles

Age: 8/2/1977

Height: 5’11½

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: left

Home court: Amerifit (Pittsburgh), Tucson Racquet Club

Favorite athlete: Roger Federer, Pete Sampras

Favorite shot: every shot

Highest SR48 Ranking: #1 (2018)

Strengths: two-handed offense, fly kill, serve, deep court kills, back wall

Summary: Former R48 #1 David Fink has quickly transitioned into a R48/SR48 star after turning 40, remaining a standout on the Race 4 Eight tour while setting the record for most SR48 titles

Alex Garcia

Age: 11/21/73

Height: 6”0

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Residence: Murrieta, CA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Norco L.A. Fitness

Favorite athlete: Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys LB)

Favorite pre-match music: Classic Rock

Inspiration: My kids (three boys, one daughter)

Best shot: Back wall

Strengths: Power, serve, back wall kill

Summary: Alex Garcia is a national masters singles champion with the game to challenge anyone on the SR48. Armed with a canon for a right arm and a deadly back wall kill, AG can score points in bunches, as evidenced by his multiple top four SR48 finishes

George Garcia, Jr.

Age: 8/31/1976

Height: 5’7

Hometown: El Paso, TX

Residence: Bakersfield, CA

Strong hand: right

Home court: In Shape Bakersfield, CA

Favorite athlete: Clayton Kershaw

Favorite pre-match music: Linkin Park

Inspiration: #1 my Dad George Garcia Sr. He not only introduced me to handball but he pushed me to be a better player on and off the court. #2 Al Moore, during my teen years he showed me positioning and strategy. As a young kid I remember watching my dad, my uncle Charlie and Poncho Monreal play cut throat, they were all so smooth on the court and it inspired me to play like them. 

Strengths: poise, experience, consistency

Summary: Garcia brings a complete game to the SR48, complete with two-handed consistency, big-match experience, and fitness. Garcia defeated then Elite 8 Andy Nett at the R48 I Fresno qualifier in 2012 and won the 2017 LAAC R48 Pre Qualifier.

Tyler Hamel (Inactive)

Age: 3/13/1972

Height:  6’1

Hometown: Vancouver BC

Residence: Kingwood TX

Strong hand: right

Home court: Houston YMCA

Favorite athlete: Federer

Favorite pre-match music: Imagine Dragons or Maroon Five

Inspiration (who/what inspired you to play and continue to play): My dad inspired me to start playing handball and my handball brotherhood inspires me to play now

Best/Favorite shot: right corner kill

Strengths: consistency, experience, poise, back wall kill

Summary: Dr. Tyler Hamel was an Elite 8 staple on the 1990’s/early 2000’s Spalding/Gatorade pro tour, known for precision, fitness, and percentage handball. Hamel was one of the smoothest and steadiest pro handball players of the past three decades, seemingly expending little energy while sending his opponents on tours of the court

Joe Harris (Inactive)

Age: 10/22/1971

Height: 6’3

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

Residence: Las Vegas, NV

Strong hand: right

Home court: Las Vegas Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Roger Federer

Favorite music before a match: prayer

Inspiration: The person that originally inspired me to play handball was my father, Bob.  He instilled in me both the physical and mental benefits you receive from the game.  The people who inspire me to continue to play the game are my fellow Senior players, they as a group refuse to be the “norm” out there.  We don’t give up on fitness and strive to continue to get better at our craft, specifically Marcos Chavez, David Fink, Dan Zimet and George Garcia Jr.  Given the chance, each one of the guys would love to give you a donut.  I know they are training to get better each year, which inspires me to improve.

Favorite shot: straight punch fist left hand return of serve

Highest SR48 Ranking: #3 (2018)

Strengths: unpredictability, court coverage, deep court kills

Summary: Las Vegas’ Joe Harris established himself as one of the stars of the SR48, finishing third in consecutive 2018 SR48 stops in Las Vegas and Houston by taking down Dan Zimet, George Garcia, and Dan Armijo. Harris played the best ball of his career in his mid 40’s, a testament to his fitness and decades of court experience

Jim Karner

Age: 12/26/1969

Height: 5′ 10″

Hometown: Grand Forks, ND

Residence: Salt Lake City, UT

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Sportsmall in SLC

Favorite athlete:  Wayne Gretzky

Favorite pre-match music: n/a

Inspiration: My dad taught me to play at 10 years old.  I’ve always loved the competition and the fact that this is probably the only sport in the world where an amateur can enter a tournament and potentially play against the best players (pros) in the game!

Best/Favorite shot: I’d say my favorite shot (when accomplished) is a reverse serve to the right that hops into the wall and handcuffs an opponent for ace.

Strengths: consistency, experience, right-corner kill

Summary: Jim Karner has been one of the top master’s players in the country for nearly two decades, racking up 3-Wall and 4-Wall national titles. Karner’s experience in playing the best players in the country for the past 40 years has provided the “Mad Scientist” with the formula to become of the one the SR48’s elite

Bill Mehilos

Age: 10/26/1980

Height: 5”9

Hometown: Addison, IL

Residence: Indianapolis, IN

Strong hand: right

Home court: Indianapolis Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan

Favorite pre-match music: “Only in America” by Brooks and Dunn

Inspiration: Father 

Best/Favorite shot: Right corner fly kill

Strengths: consistency, percentage handball, serve, front court kills

Summary: Bill Mehilos is a former collegiate All-American and former top 12 pro who made his debut on the SR48 tour at the 2020 WPH RFC. Mehilos is well schooled in percentage handball, possessing the ability to play offense and defense with both hands while surprising his opponents with stiff arm and fly kills. “The Bulldog” is as tenacious as he is skilled.

Bear Meiring (inactive)

1 SR48 title

Age: 3/15/1973

Height: 5”10

Hometown: Carleton, MI

Residence: Lone Tree, CO

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Denver Athletic Club

Best/Favorite shot: serve 

Strengths: conditioning, speed, right hand

Summary: Bear Meiring is a former college handball star who continued to play and improve into his forties. As fit in his forties as he was in his twenties, Meiring was a formidable force on the SR48, challenging the best players on the circuit and being just one of six men through 2023 to win a SR48 title

Dave Munson

Age: 10/5/1982

Height: 5’10

Hometown: Williston, VT

Residence: Mt. Prospect, IL

Strong hand: right

Home court: Mt. Prospect L.A. Fitness

Favorite athlete: Tom Brady

Favorite music before a match: 90’s rap

Favorite shot: back wall

Strengths: two-handed offense, serve, back wall

Summary: The Midwest Sharpshooter (TMS) was one of the game’s most potent offensive juggernauts, possessing the ability to end rallies from anywhere on the court with either hand. Munson was willing to hit the bottom board from any spot on the court, as evidenced by his first R48 main draw win against Marcos Chavez at the R48 7 Houston, where TMS reached match point at 13-all with a 36-foot mouse rollout

Kevin Pettus

Age: 3/29/78

Height: 6’2”

Hometown: Saint Louis, MO 

Residence: Saint Louis, MO 

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Hinder club 

Favorite athlete: Dave Chapman

Favorite pre-match music: Metallica 

Inspiration: Pro handball

Best/Favorite shot: Rollout 

Strengths: Left to left corner kill shot 

Summary: Kevin Pettus possesses all of the skills to play with the best on the SR48, from the best overhand lob serve to the left to an automatic kill in the right corner. Pettus finished fourth in his first SR48 start on his home court at the Hinder Club in St. Louis, undoubtedly a harbinger of things to come on the SR48 from the Mound City star

Kevin Price

Age: 9/18/1978

Height: 5’ 11”

Hometown:  Gillette, WY

Residence:  Grand Junction, CO

Strong hand:  Right

Home court:  Mesa Fitness

Favorite athlete:  Michael Jordan

Inspiration: Dan Price (Father)

Best/Favorite shot: defensive fist 

Strengths: percentage play, defense, patience, fist shots

Summary: Kevin Price has been one of the Rocky Mountain’s top handball stars for decades, racking up numerous state and regional titles. KP plays with the pro mentality, utilizing the entire court with angles, two-wall passes, ceiling shots, and power drives to frustrate and exhaust his opponents. KP earned his SR48 semifinal appearance at the 2019 Aces Player’s Championship, defeating Chris Watkins in three games

Alvaro Rebaza 

Age: 7/26/1981

Height: 5′ 9″

Hometown: New York City, NY

Residence: Levittown (Long Island), NY

Strong hand: Right

Home court: 1-Wall: 1) Breininger Park (Braddock), Queens, 2) Coney Island , 4-Wall: LA Fitness New Hyde Park, NY

Favorite athlete: Jerry Rice

Favorite pre-match music: Either House or Reggaeton

Inspiration: Originally inspired to play by the athleticism and competitiveness of the game and its players. Continued to be inspired through the friendships forged from being in the handball community, on and off the court.

Best/Favorite shot: The Fly Shot

Strengths: My speed and mobility would be my strengths attributed to running track in my high school days, to doing P90X for a year or so and consistently running, stretching and doing Yoga in my weekly routines.

Summary: Alvaro is one of the most athletic players on the SR48, moving as well as the R48 Men’s pros, while still possessing tremendous power with both hands. Alvaro’s success in 1-Wall has made him a true hybrid star comfortable with the fly attack, as well as the back wall

Steve Roberts

Age: 9/6/1962

Height: 6’2″

Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

Residence: Salt Lake City, UT

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Sportsmall, Murray, UT

Inspiration: Jeff Jasperson got me interested in playing and I liked the physicality of the game. We had a great group of players at our club who helped me along like Gary Scogin, Lon Stalsberg, Jim Cooper & Bill Guerts. Then the Internet came along and WPH was showing all the great pro player matches. It inspired me to try to become better and play more. Thanks to WPH, I am able to watch such great handball and a lot of great players. Some of my favorites are Dave Chapman, Danos Cordova, Sean Lenning, Vic Perez to name a few but I like watching all of them. 

Best/Favorite shot:  Best shot: Ceiling ball, favorite: left corner roll out

Summary: Steve Roberts is a Rocky Mountain legend who has taken his formidable game to the SR48, proving that into his 60’s he can still compete against the best 40+ players on the planet

Andy Schad (Inactive)

2 SR48 titles

Age: 12/27/1972

Height: 5’10

Residence: Fort Belvoir, VA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Fort Belvoir, VA

Favorite athlete: Faith Schad, Grace Schad (swimming)

Favorite pre-match music: Christian praise and worship

Best/favorite shot: Right corner kill

Highest SR48 Ranking: #2 (2013)

Strengths: Hustle, court coverage, determination

Summary: Known as being one of the nicest guys to ever put on a pair of handball gloves, Andy Schad was also one of the most competitive. Schad scratches and claws for every point, often turning matches into street fights. Schad won the first and only SR48 Player’s Championship in 2013

Victor Stevenson (Inactive)

Age: 9/23/62

Height: 6’0”

Hometown: Puerto Rico

Residence: New York, NY

Strong hand: Left

Home court: New Rochelle YMCA

Favorite athlete: Roberto Clemente 

Inspiration: competition 

Best/Favorite shot: fly kill 

Strengths: conditioning, strength, left-hand kill

Summary: Victor Stevenson qualified for the SR48 tour for the first time at the age of 56, finishing in the top six at the 2019 Aces Player’s Championship. Victor brought athleticism, strength, an aggressive outdoor style of play and exemplary sportsmanship to the SR48

Pete Svennungsen

Age: 11-11-1980

Height: 6’3”

Hometown: Shelby, Montana

Residence:  Spokane, WA

Strong hand: Right

Home court:  Spokane Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Steph Curry

Favorite pre-match music: Black Album, Jay-Z (if any)

Inspiration: My Dad dragged me to a lot of his tournaments across Montana/Northwest growing up.  I was inspired to play by watching my favorites then—Jeremy Morton, Eric Plummer, Justin and Jay Balkenbush.  I continue to play for a lot of reasons, but mainly because I enjoy the one-on-one competition and want to see how well I can play now that I have the time to do it (since starting my own law practice in 2016). 

Best/Favorite shot: cross-court corner kill

Strengths:  speed, off-hand, old-school serves

Summary: “Svenny” is a former college basketball star turned attorney who uses his lifetime of handball experience and analytical thinking to compete with the game’s best.

Chris Watkins

Age: 7/19/1970

Height: 5’10

Hometown: Spring Valley Lake, CA

Residence: Spring Valley Lake, Victorville, CA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Spring Valley Lake Country Club

Favorite athlete: Magic Johnson, Fred Couples, Rod Carew, Naty “El Gato” Alvarado

Best/favorite shot: Right side power serve slider

Inspiration: Naty Alvarado, Sr. and his sons to model the “grind” to them for achieving goals

Strengths: Serve, back wall kill, sneaky power

Summary: Known affectionately as the “Waddy Dog,” Chris Watkins combines several decades of pro experience with a lot of talent. Watkins has sparred with the best players in the world, sharing the court weekly with Naty Alvarado Sr, Naty Alvarado Jr, John Robles, and John Bike. Waddy has used this experience and knowledge gained from playing the best to become one of the best over 40 players in the world

Dan Zimet (Inactive)

Age: 5/13/1970

Height: 5’6

Hometown: Columbia, MD

Residence: Columbia, MD

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Supreme Athletic Club (indoor), Centennial North 3-Wall Courts (outdoor)

Favorite athlete: Novak Djokovic

Favorite pre-match music: One Republic

Inspiration: I’d say my original inspiration to play came from watching my Dad on the 1-wall court, and being able to play with my grandfather in Brooklyn as a kid.  As I got older and moved around I always wanted to be able to compete with the best guys wherever I lived.  In Philadelphia that as Jeff Sokol, in Maryland it was Alan Frank and Roger Berry, and in NorCal it was the Dunne brothers.  Now I try to compete with guys like Andy Shad, Marcos Chavez, Chris Watkins and John Robles.  Just being on the court with that kind of talent inspires me to work hard on and off the court. 

Best/favorite shot: Hook serve that slides the wall

Highest SR48 Ranking: #3 (2018)

Strengths: Strategy, preparation, fitness, serve

Summary: “Dr. Z” is one of the game’s greatest master’s champions, having won more than 25 combined national titles in 4-Wall, 3-Wall, and 1-Wall. Dr. Z. took his game to the SR48, where he demonstrated his sensational handball skills in challenging the best 40+ players in the world with an all-around game that combines a great serve with reliable offense and defense. Dr. Z also writes a monthly column for WPH social media titled “Dr. Z’s Wrap-Around,” while serving as a part-time broadcast analyst during Race 4 Eight broadcasts

Race 4 Eight Super Fans

Fred Banfield

Height: 5’8

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: right

Home court: Tucson Racquet Club

Favorite athlete: Any pro from Tucson

Best/favorite shot: dump kill

Best Race 4 Eight Fan Finish: Champion Emeritus

Strengths: kindness, humility, generosity, leadership, modesty

Summary: Fred Banfield is simply the heart and soul of the WPH and is the reason the WPH is able to undertake all of our incredible initiatives. Fred’s vision and passion for handball is unmatched, and he is truly the pioneer of promoting and growing handball in the 21^st century. Never one to want or seek attention, Fred watches and observes in the background, admiring the best handball players in the world while likely having no idea how much more those players admire him

Lou Barberini

Height: 5’7″

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Residence: San Francisco, CA/ Sonoma, CA

Strong hand: right

Home court: Olympic Club, the Park, SERC, San Mateo Elks

Favorite athlete:  Kelby Tomlinson 

Favorite pre-match music:  Francis Albert

Inspiration: Dr. Al Sandoval and continuing: Killian’s footwork

Best/Favorite shot: revolving door back wall

Strengths: organization skills, pragmatic, passion for the game

Summary: Lou Barberini is one of the WPH’s premiere R48 tournament directors, throwing all of his energy and resources into throwing sensational events for the world’s best players at The Olympic Club. Lou also writes a weekly newsletter for the Olympic Club, highlighting the Olympic Club’s top R48 stars and club members. If you want something done, just ask Lou!

Doug Clark

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand:  right

Home court:  Tucson Racquet Club

Favorite athlete: Sean Lenning, Dylan “Buddy” Key (grandson)

Inspiration: Doug Clark started playing handball in intramurals as a freshman at the University of Arizona, catching the bug and never stopping. Doug transitioned from intramurals champion to the YMCA, eventually forming a group to own athletic clubs across the U.S. and in Australia, while playing handball four times a week for 60 years and counting

Best/Favorite shot: serve

Strengths: tenacity, generosity, professionalism, intelligence

Summary: Doug Clark is one of the WPH’s original board members, legal counsel, most generous donors and biggest fans. Doug has helped the WPH immeasurably since the WPH’s relocation to Tucson in 2009, assisting the WPH staff in more ways than could possibly be mentioned. Doug is also a pioneer, as he invented “glass pounding” after great shots or rallies, an act that has become a welcomed tradition on the Race 4 Eight tour

Scott Cleveland

Height: 5’10

Hometown: Lakewood, CA

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: right

Home court: Tucson Racquet Club

Favorite athlete: Everyone in the current R48 top 8

Favorite pre-match music: Sublime playlist

Inspiration: Mike Robles introduced me to the game in the 1980’s and I’ve been “hooked” ever since  

Best/Favorite shot: right-corner fly kill

Strengths: enthusiasm, selflessness, leadership, generosity

Summary:  Scott Cleveland arrived in Tucson circa 2012 and quickly became Tucson’s “Commish” for his willingness to run leagues, organize tournaments, and support all things handball in the vibrant Tucson handball community. The Commish hosts pro players, organizes fundraisers, serves as the tournament director for the Race 4 Eight Tucson Memorial and travels to a number of Race 4 Eight stops each year, all because he LOVES the game. The game is in a much better place because of the Commish!

Arelhi Cordova

Height: 5’4

Hometown: Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Residence: Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Strong hand: right

Home court: San Angel

Favorite athlete: Lucho Cordova

Favorite pre-match music: Ranchera

Inspiration: Lucho Cordova and the Juarez handball community

Best/Favorite shot: Right-handed tomahawk spike kill into the left corner

Strengths: enthusiasm, willingness to travel, even-temper

Summary: Arelhi is the wife of Lucho Cordova and sister-in-law of Danos Cordova. Arelhi can be seen at most R48 events supporting her family, always providing positive encouragement and stability to her husband and brother-in-law. Arelhi not only supports Lucho and Danos, but the entire Juarez handball community. When not sitting courtside watching the R48 Juarez takeover, Arelhi plays handball with her two boys, Luis Mateo and Luan. What a fan!

Joe Delsardo

Height: 5”7

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Amerifit

Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan

Best/Favorite shot: Back wall kill

Inspiration: My love for handball started with the Fink family. My inspiration now is to dominate my opponents ad continue to waive the Pittsburgh handball flag with pride

Diane Domka

Height: 5’3

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

Residence: Palm Gardens, FL

Strong hand: right

Home court: NYAC

Favorite athlete: David Fink, Killian Carroll

Favorite pre-match music: Satori

Inspiration: Rodney Fink

Best/Favorite shot: diving re kill

Strengths: positivity, tranquility, deep thinking

Summary: Diane Domka is the tour’s Dalai Lama, always finding the deeper meaning in all situations. Diane is a firm believer in positive thinking to affect better performance and a happier life, qualities she brings to the R48 tour galleries. Diane travels thousands of miles each season to watch her favorite R48 stars, often landing at the NYAC each spring to marvel at the world’s most exceptional athletes

Rodney Fink

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Strong hand: right

Home court: Amerifit

Favorite athlete: David Fink

Favorite pre-match music: Bruce Springsteen

Best/Favorite shot: Right-hand Tomahawk left-corner kill

Strengths: enthusiasm, loud cheering, refereeing, generosity, positivity

Summary: Rodney Fink is the proud father of one-time R48 #1 David Fink, while also being one of the WPH’s most enthusiastic and generous supporters. From sponsoring R48 pros to attend tournaments to donating to the WPH and serving as a top R48 referee, Rodney Fink is the total fan package. When he is not supporting the WPH, Fink is an accomplished former open player and current master’s player who, now in his 70’s, plays more handball than anyone on the planet. The WPH is very fortunate to have Rodney Fink on our team. Thank you!

Dick Geary

Height: 5’10”

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Residence: Sarasota, FL

Strong hand: right

Inspiration: Rodney Fink

Home court: Recreational ATL

Favorite athlete: David Fink, Tiger Woods

Best/Favorite shot: left corner roll out

Strengths: ability to make long drives, composure

Summary: Dick Geary has been traveling hundreds of miles by car to watch Race 4 Eight and WPH Outdoor events for years, hitting the Race 4 Eight Atlanta every October and also traveling to South Florida for the Florida Cup. An avid sports fan who never misses a game in any sport, “Gears” finds handball to be the most exciting. “Gears” in Atlanta in 2018: “I’ll tell you what, I have never seen anything like what I see on the Race 4 Eight tour, the intensity, the skills, and the speed is just beyond comprehension.”

Kim Geary

Height: 5’4

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Residence: Austin, TX

Strong hand: right

Home court: NYAC

Favorite athlete: David Fink, Emmett Peixoto

Favorite pre-match music: Dragon Karma

Inspiration (who/what inspired you to play and continue to play): David Fink

Best/Favorite shot: left hand, left corner kill

Strengths: stoic demeanor, willingness to travel, positivity, game face

Summary: Grand master Kim Geary is an eighth-degree black belt, the highest-ranking women’s Karate master in the U.S. Grand Master Kim brings the same intensity to R48 galleries and she did in international Karate championships, revealing nothing with her expression or body language. Grand Master Kim is an avid supporter of her cousin, former R48 #1 David Fink, often traveling thousands of miles each season to watch her favorite player compete

Marie George

Height: 5’1

Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon

Residence: Pittsburgh, PA

Strong hand: right

Home court: Amerifit

Favorite athlete: Roger Federer

Favorite pre-match music: Every Breath You Take/ We Will Rock You

Inspiration: The Gentleman, David Fink’s intensity ensures high drama. 

Best/Favorite shot: 40’ flat roll

Strengths: even-keeled demeanor, unflappable under pressure

Summary: Marie George has attended more than a dozen Race 4 Eight events, often traveling with family to support her favorite Race 4 Eight stars. Marie watches close matches like a poker superstar, revealing nothing. After watching pro handball since 2007, Marie knows the game as well as anyone and appreciates the best, so if Marie is watching your match, you are definitely a top player!

Dr. Bruce Handelman

Height: 5’9

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

Strong hand: right

Home court: Las Vegas Athletic Club

Best/Favorite shot: dump kill

Strengths: passion for the game, knowledge, willingness to travel, analytical

Summary: Dr. Bruce Handelman is one of the Race 4 Eight’s greatest fans, showing up to virtually every stop in every season on both coasts. An accomplished handball player himself, Dr. Bruce enjoys watching the best handball players in the world as much as playing the game he started more than five decades ago. Armed with knowledge of past greats and the current greats, Dr. Bruce is a handball encyclopedia that can bridge the gap between the past and current greats as accurately as anyone alive. Dr. Bruce is also one of the WPH’s greatest supporters, providing professional and financial contributions that are virtually unmatched. Thank you!

Dave Harris

Height: 6’2″

Hometown: Jackson, CA

Residence: Jackson, CA

Strong hand: right

Home court: New York Fitness, Jackson, CA

Favorite athlete: Larry Bird

Favorite pre-match music: classic rock

Inspiration: Jim Triplett showed me the game 14 years ago and now a full time hobby playing with him

Best/Favorite shot: diving right hand rollout (harder as I get older)

Strengths: love of sport, admiration for the top players, enthusiasm

Summary: Dave Harris is a tennis player who developed an equally strong passion for handball, traveling to multiple Race 4 Eight stops per year to watch the best handball players in the world compete. DH brings unlimited positive energy to every stop, always encouraging and supporting all of the Race 4 Eight pros. When asked by ESPN’s Kara Mack why he attends so many Race 4 Eight stops, Dave replied, “It’s like going to a family reunion except you like everyone.”

Chatten Hayes (RIP)

Height:  5’9

Hometown: Portland, OR

Strong hand: right

Home court: Multnomah Athletic Club

Favorite athlete: Whoever plays Marcos Chavez

Favorite pre-match music: Irish Folk

Best/Favorite shot: Irish whip

Strengths: enthusiasm, energy, intensity, endurance

Summary: Chatten Hayes announced herself as a “Super Fan” at the 2016 WPH Player’s Championship in Portland, passionately supporting eventual SR48 Player’s Champion Gavin Buggy en route to his maiden SR48 title. Ms. Hayes is no stranger to supporting a winner, as she has supported her husband to multiple national championships since the 1980’s. If you desperately want to win a big match, you need Chatten in your corner. Chatten sadly passed away, but her spirit and passion for growing the game is still strong in Portland and beyond

Fred Lewis

Height: 6’0

Hometown:  New York, NY

Residence:  Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: right

Home court: Tucson Racquet Club

Favorite athlete: Abraham Montijo, Paul Brady

Inspiration: Fred learned the game in New York City, starting with 1-Wall and eventually transitioning to 4-Wall. To become the best player of his generation and one of the all-time greats, Fred moved to Tucson, often playing handball for five hours a day, seven days a week to hone his craft. That dedication earned Fred six national singles titles and countless pro stop victories

Best/Favorite shot: 2-Wall pass

Strengths: percentage handball, serve, fist, back wall kill, return of serve…everything!

Summary: “Steady Freddy” is a living legend in the sport of handball with six USHA national 4-Wall pro singles titles and a resume that could fill an encyclopedia. After completing his stellar pro career, Fred turned his efforts to growing the game and supporting the next generation of pro players. Fred has served on the WPH Board of Directors and now heads the Fred Lewis Foundation, providing opportunities for young people to play handball. Fred is also one of the Race 4 Eight’s biggest fans, attending nearly half of the events each season and offering guidance, wisdom and support to today’s top stars

Gary Maushardt

Height: 5”5

Hometown: Long Beach, CA

Residence: Santa Cruz, CA

Strong hand: right

Home court: Imperial Courts

Favorite athlete: David Chapman

Inspiration: When Gary’s boxing career was cut short at 19 after tearing his ACL, Scott Beebee and Jim Vandenboss introduced Gary to hanabdall at 24. Since having both knees replaced at 62, Gary now works daily on implementing the lessons that David Chapman taught him

Best/Favorite shot: punch fist ceiling

Strengths: fist to the ceiling, knowledge of the game, handball historian

Summary: Gary Maushardt is one of the game’s greatest supporters and fans and will do virtually anything to support and watch the world’s best players. Maushardt was a good friend and student of Dave Chapman’s and has carried on the legacy of Chapman’s handball mastery. If you want to learn about today’s pros or the pros from yesteryear, sit down with Gary and get ready to learn!

Jessica Peixoto

Height: 5’4

Hometown: Pinole, CA

Strong hand: Left

Home court: The Olympic Club

Favorite athlete: Emmett Peixoto

Favorite pre-match music: Emmett Rock

Best/favorite shot: Left-corner kill

Strengths: Consistency, Stamina, Enthusiasm, Positivity, Pragmatic manner

Summary: Jessica Peixoto arrived on the Race 4 Eight scene in 2013 as the girlfriend to Elite 8 R48 pro Emmett Peixoto but quickly established herself as much more. Now Mrs. Peixoto, Jessica attended 26 consecutive Race 4 Eight events as a fan before a maternity leave from the tour in 2018, a record unmatched in the history of the tour. Mrs. Peixoto was awarded her first yellow jersey in 2014 for winning the Race 4 Eight 3 Fan of the Year and has since added to that total with two more year-end fan honors. Jessica serves not only as a fan, but also a coach and sounding board to her husband, always offering encouragement and positive thoughts to the Race 4 Eight’s ironman. Mrs. Peixoto is not only a fan of her husband, but to all of the Race 4 Eight stars and can always be seen watching the matches of all of the top players and supporting great shots and rallies. In addition to being the Race 4 Eight’s undisputed top fan, Jessica has been interviewed courtside more times than any player or fan by ESPN’s Kara Mack. Look for Jessica to add to her year-end honors at the end of the Race 4 Eight 6 season

Scarlett Ruiz

Age: 8/18/2019

Height: 3″5″ and growing

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Residence: Tucson, AZ

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Tucson racquet club and Old Pueblo gymnastics

Favorite athlete: Mommy and Daddy (Ashley and Shorty Ruiz)

Favorite pre-match music: Barbie Girl, ABC’s

Inspiration: Our Tucson crew, donuts 

Best shot: Sapos

Strengths: Positive attitude and smiles, endless energy 

Summary: In her short 4.5 years, Scarlett has rarely missed a pro stop. After each event ends she asks, “when is the next tournament?!”

Jim Verhaeghe

Height: 5’11”

Hometown: South Bend, Indiana

Residence: Tucson Az.

Strong hand: Right

Home court: Tucson Racquet and Fitness club

Favorite athlete: Too many to list. Probably one from each sport I follow, which is a lot of them.

Favorite pre-match music: Never have been into music before a match. I try to focus on what I do best and if I have played a person before, I try to remember what worked or did not work and go from there.

Inspiration: I have been playing racquetball for nearly 50 years but a few years back I started to watch the handball guys at the club. It was on nights where I was working out and they were playing. I noticed some very good players so I started to watch every week. I got to know some of them and they me. Well if you know the Tucson Handball family they do like a beverage after playing, so one night I bought a pitcher of beer and joined in. From there came the playing. Charlie Wicker gave me some gloves and liners and they all said I should start with the big ball and go from there. Then one day after moving up to a real ball, Dennis Healy (rest his Soul), saw me practicing and hit with me. We had some good laughs because I was so bad, but he stuck with me. After trying to play a bit he even played as my partner a few times to get me in with some fellas and to help me get a bit better. Now eight years later and hopefully a bit better I am still playing and now at least three times a week. The entire Handball family here at the club keeps me going, how could you not with this group. Now not only do I play, I help with tournament support and all of the kids programs, however I can, and just support handball however I can do that.  

Best/favorite shot: My favorite shot has to be my Lob serve. The guys call it the one-mile an hour serve because I hit it so slow. In addition to the Lob serve, the dinks in the front court would be my best shot

*Extra: I hope everyone has the same kind of group we have here in Tucson. We are really a handball family. A crazy group of folks that just love the game and promote the hell out of it. We are proud of our tourneys and work hard to make them all great for everyone that comes to play. Yeah, we are a little bit nuts at times. Pounding on the glass for good shots from players, having beer or two now and then. But really that part of it is all of us promoting the game and keeping it fun. I just went to my first out of town pro stop up in Salt Lake City and was taken back what happened a couple of times. First off, I was sitting in the stands watching a match and turned to meet the guy next to me and what does he say after we exchanged names, “Hey your the Pizza Guy from the Tucson Tourney I went to last November!”  Say what!! Next I am standing in the food room and a female player saw me and says, “I like the way you cut up the fruit in small pieces at your tourney, I never want the whole fruit so it makes it easier to eat and no waste.” Say What!!!  Then the last thing was, I was sitting watching a match on the glass and I had just hit the glass for a good shot.. Then a guy comes and sits right next to me and says I have to meet you. So I say, ok, my name is Jim he says, “I had to meet the guy who watches a match, pounds the glass, has a beer in his hands and a cigar in his mouth. That is the way to watch a match.” So we exchange some words and then the big question, “where are you from?” Of course, I say Tucson, AZ. “Oh,” he said, “we have heard about you guys and your group.” Not sure how but we sure are known. But I am damn sure glad I am part of this little group known as the Tucson handball family…and part of the famous roundtable.

Strengths: organization, team player, loves people

Summary: “Conflicted Jim” is a racquetball and handball player who brings enormous passion to the WPH. CJ organizes the hospitality at each year’s R48 Tucson Memorial, ensuring that more than 500 people are fed throughout the three-day mega event. Jim is a huge fan of the game’s best players and has a way of making every player feel welcomed and appreciated