WPH Press. Tucson, AZ, 11/5/21
After a 614 day hiatus due to COVID 19, the World Players of Handball Foundation was thrilled to kickoff the 2021 Tucson Memorial/Race 4 Eight X Stop #1 at the Tucson Racquet Club.
The Tucson Memorial was designed by local handball players in early 2015 to honor those in our community that have left us, following the mantra: Life is what you celebrate. Every ounce of it. Even it’s End.
“Words can’t describe how excited I am for the upcoming tournament to kick off the Race for Eight season,” stated R48 Next Gen star Leo Canales, Jr. “Not only am I excited to compete again, but to also see all of our handball family and friends from all over.”
Men’s R48 Pro Singles
The Men’s R48 Pro Singles featured several thrillers on Friday, as several of the game’s best were pushed to the limit.
Current world champion the number one seed Killian Carroll cruised to Saturday’s quarterfinals with routine wins against Matthew Ortega (AZ) and Ricardo Palma (CA). Second-seeded Lucho Cordova was also in top form, ousting Canada’s Michael Gaulton in two lopsided games, while third seeded Danos Cordova eased past Kyle Kloss (CA).
Fourth seeded Sean Lenning dominated the USHA 3-Wall Nationals two months ago and kept his momentum intact, throttling Max Langmack (KS) to advance to the quarterfinals. Fifth-seeded David Fink (AZ) found himself trailing 4-11 in the first game of his round of 16 clash with Loren Collado (CA), but found his serve to score 11 unanswered points and won the final six points of the match after being caught at nine in game two.
Sixth-seeded Leo Canales was nearly eliminated in the round of 32, as Leo faced three match points and a 21-24 deficit against Alfredo Herrera. “Cardiac Canales” survived, then found himself two points from elimination in game two in his round of 16 match with Jonathan Iglesias (CO). Trailing 8-13 after losing the first, Canales scored seven straight points against a fading Iglesias and dominated game three to advance to the quarterfinals.
Local favorite Shorty Ruiz (AZ) dropped game one against Stephen Cooney in their round of 16 clash in just eight minutes and trailed 3-11 in game two. Cooney was unable to finish, as Ruiz reeled off 12 straight points to force a third. “Shorty found a serve down the right and I just couldn’t get into the front court,” stated Cooney. The Coon Dogg re-established control in game three to book his spot in the final eight.
In the final round of 16 match, fellow Tucson residents Abraham Montijo and Sam Esser battled for a spot opposite Killian Carroll in the round of 8. Montijo started hot, taking a 12-4 lead in game one but could not finish, as Esser’s two-handed attack erased Montijo’s lead. Esser was in control in game two, eventually booking his first quarterfinal appearance in his Race career. “I can’t tell you how good this feels (making the quarterfinals),” stated Esser. “I have been so excited about this event since it was announced and I’ve trained hard. I haven’t been that close to making the quarterfinals before so to do it is a great feeling.”
Round of 16
Carroll def Palma 15-10, 15-7
Lucho def Gaulton 15-1, 15-4
Danos def Kloss 15-3, 15-8
Lenning def Langmack 15-0, 15-5
Fink def Collado 15-11, 15-9
Canales def Iglesias 11-15, 15-13, 15-2
Cooney def Ruiz 15-4, 12-15, 15-3
Esser def Montijo 15-12, 15-7
Men’s Pro Quarterfinals (Saturday, all times MST)
Carroll vs. Esser (10 am)
Lenning vs. Fink (12:15 pm)
Danos vs. Canales, Jr. (11:30 am)
Lucho vs. Cooney (10:45 am)
Saturday will feature not only the R48 quarterfinals and semifinals, but the Men’s Pro Doubles, Women’s Pro Singles, and many age bracket and skill level singles and doubles brackets.
2021 Tucson Memorial November 6-7 ESPN Broadcast Schedule HERE
Watch ESPN App HERE
Follow all of the brackets from the 2021 Tucson Memorial HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer