WPH Press, Austin, TX, University of Texas Handball Team, 11/20/22
Follow all of the brackets HERE
The University of Texas was thrilled to present the Texas State Handball Championships R48 & WR48 Pre Qualifier at the famed University of Texas Gregory Gym in Austin, TX.
The winner of the men’s and women’s open singles brackets will each be awarded $300 from the WPH upon the completion of his or her first Race 4 Eight match during the 2022/23 Race 4 Eight season.
“We are always excited about partnering with the University of Texas Handball,” stated the WPH’s David Fink. “The University of Texas events have a long history of great players and great tournaments and November’s R48 & WR48 Pre Qualifiers add to that strong legacy.”
Men’s R48 Pre Qualifier
Adam Bernhard continued his dominance in the Lone Star State, picking up another Texas title without dropping a game. With more than 30 Texas open singles titles, Texans have learned that you Don’t Mess With Bernie.
“Memo played very well for not playing much recently,” stated Bernie. “He called a timeout near the end of the first game while I was up 16-12 and he came in playing great and had a chance to win at 20-19 but didn’t close it out. Second game I was able to get some breathing room and made a run with unexpected shots and built a big lead. He made a push near the end but was too far behind. Very happy to be pre qualified.”
Semifinals
Bernhard def H. Smith 21-15, 21-11
Pallares def Schmitt 21-12, 21-16
Final: Bernhard def Pallares 21-20, 21-11
Women’s WR48 Pre Qualifier
Tournament director and Texas’s top women’s player Kristen Hughes steamrolled the WR48 Pre Qualifier field on her homecourt in Auston, outscoring her two opponents by a combined score of 84-24 (78%) to claim the WR48 Pre Qualifier title.
Semifinals
Hughes def Smith 21-9, 21-3
Walker def Murphree 19-21, 21-8, 11-6
Final: Hughes def Walker 21-2, 21-10
Congratulations to Adam Bernhard and Kristen Hughes for claiming the Race 4 Eight Pre Qualifier Championships!
2022/23 Race 4 Eight Pre Qualifier Champions Through the 11/20 UT Pre Qualifiers
Martin Mulkerrins – The Davidson, College Station, TX, October 2022 HERE
Adam Bernhard – The UT Pre Qualifier, Austin, TX, November 2022
Kristen Hughes – The UT Pre Qualifier, Austin, TX, November 2022
Upcoming: The LAAC R48 Pre Qualifier, Los Angeles, CA, December 2, 2022 HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer