Seattle, WA, WPH Press, 1/18/26
The famed Washington Athletic Club in downtown Seattle proudly played host to the 41st annual WAC Classic & R48 Pre Qualifier on the third weekend of 2026. The WAC Classic is one of the country’s most historic events played at one of the country’s most storied venues.
R48 Pre Qualifier Singles at the 2026 WAC Classic
The 20-player field at the R48 Pre Qualifier Singles at the 2026 WAC Classic was stacked with top talent from the Pacific Northwest, with each of the players aiming to earn their way to a 2026 Race stop.
Rob Bell entered the 2026 WAC as the top seed, while Andy Romanchock, Maxx Bennett, and Jorge Pimentel joined Bell as top four seeds.
Bell survived match point in the upper bracket quarterfinals, but would not be able to summon another comeback in the semifinals against Pimentel, falling in two games.
Michael Ewing earned one of his best career wins in the bottom bracket semifinal, fighting off the always dangerous Andy Romanchock in two close games.
Pimentel was too strong for the Ewing in the final, relying on his FLF pedigree and power and overwhelm the hometown favorite.
“The semifinal with Rob was good,” Pimentel would tell the WPH. “The final was also good. They’re good players and there was great hospitality. I also felt very comfortable on the court this tournament.”
“Jorge just flat out won,” tournament director Darin Barr would later say. “Michael played a great semifinal (against Romanchock) and it was great to see him in the final. Michael has been playing here for 20 years. Having the Race 4 Eight Pre Qualifier made the event very exciting, and for the first time, there were more young guys in the draw than older guys. The majority of players in the tournament were in the Open and A singles.”
Semifinals
Pimentel def Bell 21-14, 21-9
Ewing def Romnachock 21-18, 21-13
Final: Pimentel def Ewing 21-14, 21-4
“The WPH was thrilled to partner with the Washington Athletic Club and tournament directors Darin Barr and Randy Multack at the 2026 WAC Classic & R48 Pre Qualifier,” stated the WPH’s David Fink. “The WAC was home to the first two Race 4 Eight Player’s Championships and we are excited to team with the WAC team to host the 2026 Pacific Northwest’s R48 Pre Qualifier.
Thank you to tournament director Darin Barr and Randy Multack and the rest of the WAC team for an outstanding 2026 WAC Classic. Trophy pictures courtesy of Darin Barr.
Follow all of the results from 2026 WAC Classic & R48 Pre Qualifier HERE
Race 4 Eight Pre Qualifier Explained HERE
2025/26 Race 4 Eight Schedule HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer