Brooklyn, NY, WPH Press, 6/23/19- Coney Island’s famed WallBall courts played host to the 12th USHA WallBall National Championships, featuring more than 100 of New York’s best men’s and women’s WallBall stars.
Men’s Pro
World WallBall #1 Timbo Gonzales entered the 35-man WallBall Men’s Pro singles as the top seed but hampered by a sprained knee he suffered the weekend before in the Battle of the Gladiators. “My knee just gave out (last weekend),” explained Gonzalez. “It wasn’t as bad as I thought, as it was just a sprain with inflammation.” Gonzalez would not only have to overcome his knee, but his WallBall rivals Kadeem Bush (#2), Miguel “Migs” Mendez (#3), former World WallBall champion Tywan Cook (#4), as well as dangerous veterans Gio Vazquez, Carlos Pena, and Carlin Rosa as well as rising superstar Dan Pitre.
Gonzalez’ knee proved to be a non-factor, as the WallBall #1 entered the winner’s circle in the singles and doubles. Gonzalez defeated longtime rival Gio Vazquez in the semifinals and Kadeem Bush in the final, outscoring two of the game’s best by a combined score of 50-17.
Timbo teamed with Carlos Pena to defeat Allan Sanchez and Carlin Rosa to slam the men’s pro brackets. “I’ve never seen Allan play that well but in the end it just wasn’t enough to overcome Timbo and Carlos,” stated WallBall promoter and 40+ doubles WallBall national champion William Rolon.
“It feels great to be champion again,” stated Timbo. “I wasn’t sure if I would be able to play and it feels really good to come out on top.”
Quarterfinals
Timbo def Vadala 25-13
Vazquez (Human Torch) def Cook 25-23
Aguilera def Pena 25-22
Bush def Rosa 25-23
Semifinals
Timbo def Vazquez 25-7
Bush def Aguilera 25-20
Finals: Timbo def Bush 25-10
Doubles Final: Timbo/Pena def Rosa/Sanchez 25-17
Women’s Pro
The Garate sisters headlined the Women’s WallBall Pro singles, as Jessenia entered as the top seed and Melanie the second seed. WallBall star Crystal Ruiz earned the number three seed, while former 1WallBall Vegas World Champion Jenny Qu was seeded fourth.
Qu completed the “Garate Slam,” beating the sisters in the semifinals and finals en route to the national title. Qu was as dominant throughout the event, sending a message that she is the player to beat in Women’s WallBall. “Jenny played remarkable handball taking down Jessenia and Melanie,” stated Rolon.
Lloyd and Garcia denied Qu the slam, ousting former world champion Danielle Daskalakis and Qu in the final.
Semifinals
Qu def J. Garate 25-18
Garate def Richards 25-10
Finals: Qu def M. Garate 25-9
Women’s Doubles: Lloyd/Garcia def Daskalakis/Qu 25-15
Follow all of the results from the 12th USHA WallBall National Championships HERE
For more information on the 2019 USHA WallBall National Championships, go to ushandball.org
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer