Minneapolis, MN, WPH Press, 11/24/19- The 2019 Gopher Classic was held at the University of Minnesota’s Rec Center, featuring more than 50 collegiate handball players in the two-day event on the weekend before Thanksgiving.
R48 #29 Michael Gaulton, former R48 top 30 pro Ryan Pesch, WR48 #2 Ciana Ni Churraoin and junior national champion Ray Ure headlined the Open Singles field, with each Open Singles player aiming to be crowned the best in the North Star State.
Ryan Pesch cruised to the final in the upper bracket, as “De Pesch” Mode was dominant against Chicago’s prodigy Ray Ure. Tyler Stoffel played consistently in the bottom bracket, overcoming Quinn Foley in two games in the bottom bracket semifinals.
Finals recap, by Mankato State Head Handball Coach Dr. Mike Wells:
“Stoffel started the first game 6-0 with drive serves down the right and hot shooting to lead, 11-1. Timeout Pesch. Hot serves continued for Stoffel to 18-4. Pesch made some uncharacteristic errors to finish out game one, 21-4.
Pesch righted the ship at the beginning of game two with his own serving display to 3-3, the 5-3. Stoffel served and shots his way to a 7-7 tie.
Play remained in the front court. Stoffel called a timeout at 10-7, following three Pesch aces.
A crowd pleasing diving flip off the back wall following the timeout did not yield results for Stoffel. Pesch aces and Stoffel hand errors give Pesch an 18-8 lead. Stoffel appeared to have lost some legs losing, 21-8.
The first two games were really about ace serves and who controlled the front court after the return.
Pesch jumps to a 5-0 lead in the tiebreaker on three access and two hand errors. After a timeout, Pesch builds a 9-0 lead. Pesch closes the match on an ace down the right, 11-0.
Overall, it was solid handball from two qualifier stars.”
Men’s Open Singles
Semifinals
Ryan Pesch def Ray Ure 21-15, 21-14
Tyler Stoffel def Quinn Foley 21-12, 21-12
Final: Pesch def Stoffel 4-21, 21-8, 11-0
Thank you to Dr. Wells for the updates!
Follow all of the brackets and results from the 2019 Gopher Classic HERE
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David Fink
WPH Senior Writer