The 2016 Tallcorn Handball and Central Regionals was presented in Des Moines, Iowa, with many of the game’s top players traveling to America’s heartland in pursuit of the Central Regional title. WPH Race 4 Eight #5 and 9-time R48 Champion Luis Moreno headlined a strong field that included Senior Race 4 Eight #1 and R48 top 16 pro Marcos Chavez, former Elite 8 member and R48 IV NYAC finalist Andy Nett, cross over star Tyree Bastidas, 2014 WPH Vegas 3WallBall “double-yellow” winner Nik Nahorniak, rising star Leo Canales, Jr, and a host of talented young players.
Top-seeded Andy Nett advanced to the final with impressive two-game victories against Carlos Lemus, Ryan Pesch and Marcos Chavez, while Luis Moreno was equally impressive in sweeping Ricky Ness, Sam Esser and Nik Nahorniak en route to the final. Nett defeated his 2012 World Handball Championship doubles partner in their last R48 event at the 2015 NYAC R48 IV Stop #5, but Moreno rebounded to defeat Nett in their last encounter at the 2015 Milwaukee Open.
Andy Nett serving to Moreno in the finals
(Photos Courtesy of Marcos Chavez)
Moreno completely dominated the final, keeping Nett off-balance with power hop serves and two-way hops during the rallies. Moreno needed just 45 minutes to defeat his world championship doubles partner, 21-1, 21-7. Marcos Chavez took third via forfeit. Thank you to Marcos Chavez for all of the updates and pictures throughout the weekend.
To follow results from all of the brackets at the Central Regionals, click here
The World Players of Handball Race 4 Eight V Player’s Championship in Portland is less than two weeks away. The top Race 4 Eight stars have competed for precious R48 points in California, Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, New York, and Utah since October of 2015 and will have one more chance to earn valuable ranking points in Portland. The Elite 8 at season’s end will be awarded with bonus money totaling more than a combined $30k! The Senior Race 4 Eight and Women’s Race 4 Eight will also conclude their seasons in Portland, with substantial bonus money on the line for the seniors and women stars.
The 2016 Race 4 Eight V Player’s Championship is proudly being held in conjunction with the 2016 USHA National Master Singles, featuring the world’s best senior players in age divisions ranking from 35+ to 80+. For more information on the event, go here or visit ushandball.org
Don’t miss a point from Portland on the ESPN3 APP (here) starting on Saturday, May 7th at noon est. For all of the previews, Fun Facts, Elite Stats and more in the coming weeks, go to wphlive.tv