2018 Media Guide SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday Oct. 3th Media Day 1 pm - 9 pm Pro-Am Doubles for St. Jude 6 pm - 10 pm Men’s & Women’s Pro Sgls & Dbls Qualifying 10 am - 11 pm Thursday Oct. 4th Men’s round of 32 Sgls 9 am - 1 pm Women’s round of 32 Sgls 9 am - 1 pm Men’s & Women’s Dbls Qualifying cont. 3 pm - 10 pm Men’s round of 16 Sgls 1 pm - 7 pm Women’s round of 16 Sgls 1 pm - 7 pm Men’s & Women’s Men’s & Women’s Quater-Finals Dbls 7 pm - 10 pm Friday Oct. 5th Men’s quarters Sgls #1, #2 10 am - 1 pm Women’s quarters Sgls #1, #2 10 am - 1 pm Men’s quarters Sgls #3, #4 1 pm - 4 pm Women’s quarters Sgls #3, #4 1 pm - 4 pm Men’s & Women’s semi’s Dbls 5 pm - 9:30 pm Saturday Oct. 6th Women’s semi Sgls #1 / Men’s semi Sgls #1 10 am - 1 pm Women’s semi Sgls #2 / Men’s semi Sgls #2 1 pm - 4 pm Women’s LPRT Dbls Finals 4 pm Men’s IRT Dbls Finals 5 pm Sunday Oct. 7th Women’s LPRT Sgls Finals Men’s IRT Sgls Finals 10 am - 2 pm

Table of Contents

US OPEN...“’S PREMIER EVENT”...... 2

US OPEN LEADERSHIP PROFILES...... 4-6 ...... Doug Ganim - US OPEN Event Director...... 4 ...... Dan Whitley - USA Racquetball Board President...... 4 ...... Jeff Oliver - US OPEN Co-Media Manager...... 5 ...... Leo Vasquez - US OPEN Co-Media Manager...... 5 ...... Andy Kulback - IRT Commissioner (Men’s Tour)...... 6 ...... T.J. Baumbaugh - LPRT Commissioner (Women’s Tour)...... 6

PAST US OPEN CHAMPIONS...... 7-8

IRT PLAYER PROFILES & RANKINGS...... 9-14 ...... #1 - ...... 10 ...... #2 - ...... 10 ...... #3 - ...... 11 ...... #4 - ...... 11 ...... #5 - ...... 12 ...... #6 - ...... 12 ...... #7 - Samuel Murray...... 13 ...... #8 - Mario Mercado...... 13 ...... 2018-2019 IRT Scorecard & Schedule...... 14 ...... Current IRT Rankings...... 14

LPRT PLAYER PROFILES & RANKINGS...... 15-20 ...... #1 - ...... 16 ...... #2 - Frédérique Lambert...... 16 ...... #3 - ...... 17 ...... #4 - Alexandra Herrera...... 17 ...... #5 - Nancy Enriquez...... 18 ...... #6 - ...... 18 ...... #7 - ...... 19 ...... #8 - ...... 19 ...... 2018-2019 LPRT Scorecard & Schedule...... 20 ...... Current LPRT Rankings...... 20

Media Guide Photo Credits: Freddy Ramirez, Roby Partovich, Geoff Thomsen, Jeff Gallemore, Mike Boatman and Mike Augustin.

2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE 1 Racquetball’s Premier Event The UnitedHealthcare US OPEN is racquetball’s original “Grand Slam” event and the most prestigious tournament of the season. With cash prizes totaling more than $65,000, it boasts the largest total prize purse in the sport.

One of the most exciting aspects of the UnitedHealthcare US OPEN Racquetball Championships is the “made-for-TV” portable racquetball court, which will be used for all feature matches. The unique construction of the court allows for viewing through all four walls in a stadium seating configuration for more than 1,400 spectators. From the quarterfinals on, all men’s and women’s pro matches will take place on the stadium court. Dramatic player introductions complete with laser light shows and booming music will treat fans to a total entertainment experience.

In addition to the marquee professional divisions, the US OPEN Rac- quetball Championships offers more than 80 USA Racquetball (USAR) sanctioned divisions separated by age and skill. UnitedHealthcare Since 2012, UnitedHealthcare has served as the Title Sponsor for the US OPEN Racquetball Championships. The sponsorship agreement partners racquetball’s largest and most prestigious annual tournament with one of the nation’s largest health and well-being companies.

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 650,000 physicians and care professionals and 5,000 hospitals nationwide. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 38 million people and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.

2 2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE Minneapolis / St. Paul The Home of the US OPEN After 14 years in Memphis, Tennessee, the UnitedHealthcare US OPEN Racquetball Championships made a successful move to Minneapolis in 2010. The Twin Cities region welcomed the world’s best racquetball event with open arms. The event’s relationship with LIFE TIME FITNESS and Meet Minneapolis has created partnership that should keep the UnitedHealthcare US OPEN in Minneapolis for many years to come.

The main location and nerve center for the UnitedHealthcare US OPEN is in downtown Minneapolis at the fabulous LIFE TIME FITNESS Target Center, the same building in which the Minnesota Timberwolves play. All pro matches and many of the amateur matches will take place at this facility, located in the center of the exciting Entertainment District in Minneapolis. Restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, and world class shopping area located all around the club. Just two blocks away is the second LIFE TIME location that will be utilized, the Minneapolis LIFE TIME Athletic Club. Short complimentary shuttle rides to the LIFE TIME FITNESS Fridley and the University of Minnesota Recreation Center will complete the rotation of venues hosting matches. The 2018 UnitedHealthcare US OPEN Racquetball Championships will bring 700 professional and amateur racquetball players to the State of Minnesota. Since moving to the Twin Cities in 2010, the UnitedHealthcare US OPEN Racquetball Championships has brought an estimated $6 million in annual economic impact to the area. During the week the US OPEN is in Minneapolis, more than 3 million local television viewers watch coverage of the event on the local news. For a preview of the type of action the UnitedHealthcare US OPEN brings to Minneapolis, please visit: http://bit.ly/usopenracquetball

2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE 3 Doug Ganim US OPEN Event Director

As US OPEN Event Director and Founder, Doug Ganim has brought a level of exposure to the sport that has not been seen since the early ’80’s. He started the project in 1996 with the dream of producing racquetball’s first “Grand Slam” event. That dream has been realized and the US OPEN, now in its 23rd year, has become the most prestigious racquetball tournament of the season. Ganim is also the president of the Ohio Racquetball Association and has run the successful Head Racquetball Tour there for the past 20+ years. He holds a degree in business from Ohio State University and an M.B.A. from the University of Dayton. An accomplished player in his own right, Ganim is a former U.S. National Racquetball Team member and has won three International Racquetball Federation World Doubles Championships.

Dan Whitley USAR Board President

Dan Whitley was named President of USA Racquetball’s Board of Directors in October 2016.

Dan lives in Kirkwood, Missouri and is the General Manager of the Vetta Racquet Sports facility outside of St. Louis. His club host several regional and national racquetball tournaments, including the High School National Championships every other year.

Whitley is also the president of the Missouri Racquetball Association and is the Executive Director of the Missouri High School Racquetball Association.

4 2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE Jeff Oliver US OPEN Co-Media Manager

Jeff Oliver is in his 13th year as the US OPEN Media Manager. He started playing racquetball as part of the highly successful Oregon High School Racquetball League (OHSRL) and now sits on the board of directors for the for the OHSRL. Oliver holds a degree from University of Oregon with majors in public relations, advertising and political science. After a four year stint working at a public relations agency for clients that included Microsoft, he is now the Senior Director of Operations at the Eugene Family YMCA. The St. Louis native serves as the Press Chief for the Nike Prefontaine Classic, the international Diamond League professional track meet held each year in Eugene, Oregon. He also is the general manager for the Willamette Valley Titans, an American Legion Baseball team.

Contact Jeff at: [email protected] / 541-543-7775

Leo Vasquez US OPEN Co-Media Manager

Leo R. Vasquez started as a volunteer with the US OPEN Media Staff in 2003 and now manages the public relation efforts of the tournament. Leo brings first hand experience of the sport as a Program Director of the Maverick Athletic Club located in Arlington, Texas. Vasquez is also an avid tournament player who has also served as the President of the Texas Racquetball Association (TXRA). His experience also includes dual roles with USA Racquetball, serving as their Public Relations Director and website manager for their website. In the Spring of 2013, Vasquez was appointed to the USA Racquetball Board of Directors and recently served as USAR’s Vice President.

Contact Leo at: [email protected] / 817-791-4948

2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE 5 Andy Kulback IRT Commissioner

Andy Kulback has been an avid racquetball player since 1978. He has numerous state, regional and national championship titles over the years. In addition to his duties for the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), he runs several successful racquetball tournaments in the Cincinnati area. Andy also previously served as the deputy commissioner for the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT).

Kulback has 25+ years of experience as a senior level finance/accounting officer in the wireless communication industry and, more recently, in the construction field. He joined Allen-Villere Partners (www.allenvillere.com) as Vice President in March of 2004 after serving as the Chief Financial Officer for a large ready mixed concrete producer in Cincinnati, Ohio for five years. He is a graduate of Wright State University (1985) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting.

T.J. Baumbaugh LPRT President

T.J. Baumbaugh was an LPRT player for over 10 years achieving her highest career ranking at No. 7. Later during her time on the tour, she became the Tour’s Player Representative, which evolved into her increased involvement with the LPRT’s administration. As the LPRT expanded, T. J. took on more responsibilities, which transpired in to her current role as commissioner.

T.J. earned a B.S. degree in Kinesiology from Penn State University. She worked in education and coaching and is now a Certified Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She works for Sport & Health in McLean, Virginia as a Master Trainer with additional time spent as Fitness and Sports Program Manager. Baumbaugh lives in Herndon, Virginia where she continues to enjoy both indoor and outdoor racquetball.

6 2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE US OPEN Men’s Pro Champions

Kane Waselenchuk Jason Mannino 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 1999 & 2006 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017 (13 Times)

Sudsy Monchik Rocky Carson 1996, 1998, 2007 2000 & 2002 1997 & 2001

2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE 7 US OPEN Women’s Pro Champions

Paola Longoria 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017 (8 Times)

Christie Huczek Rhonda Rajsich (Van Hees) 2002 & 2004 2003, 2007, 2000, 2005 & 2006 2009 & 2010

Kerri Wachtel Jackie Paraiso Michelle Gould 2001 1998 & 1999 1996 & 1997

8 2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE International Racquetball Tour

www.irt-tour.com Player Biographies

2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE 9 Rocky CARSON IRT #1 Date of Birth: May 21, 1979 (age: 38) Place of Birth: Newport Beach, California Current Residence: Ladera Ranch, California College: Saddleback College Height: 6’ 0” Weight: 175 Year Started Playing: 1982 Best US OPEN Finish: Champion (2007) @RockyCarsonRB

Alejandro LANDA IRT #2 Date of Birth: March 20, 1988 (age: 30) Place of Birth: Chihuahua, Current Residence: El Paso, Texas Height: 5’ 8” Weight: 163 Year Turned Pro: 2009 Best US OPEN Finish: Semifinals (2014 & ‘17)

@AlexLanda2024

10 2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE Kane WASELENCHUK IRT #3 Date of Birth: Nov. 9, 1981 (age: 35) Place of Birth: Edmonton, Canada Current Residence: Austin, Texas Height: 5’ 10” Weight: 175 Year Started Playing: 1990 Best US OPEN Finish: 13-Time Champion (2003, ‘04, ‘05, ‘08, ‘09, ‘10, ‘11, ‘12, ‘13, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16 & ‘17) @KingKaneRB

Daniel DE LA ROSA IRT #4 Date of Birth: July 4, 1993 (age: 25) Place of Birth: Chihuahua, Mexico Current Residence: Gilbert, Arizona Height: 5’ 7” Year Started Playing: 2010 Best US OPEN Finish: Finalist (2015)

@DanielDeLaRosa93

2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE 11 Alvaro BELTRAN IRT #5 Date of Birth: October 15, 1978 (age: 38) Place of Birth: Tijuana, Mexico Current Residence: San Diego, California Height: 6’ 1” Weight: 190 Year Started Playing: 1982 Best US OPEN Finish: Finalist (2010 & 2014)

Alvaro.Beltran.71

Sebastian FRANCO IRT #6 Date of Birth: February 5, 1993 (age: 24) Place of Birth: , Current Residence: Cali, Colombia College: University Javeriana Cali Height: 5’ 10” Weight: 180 Year Started Playing: 2008 Best US OPEN Finish: Quarterfinals (2016) Sebastian.Franco.1044

12 2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE Samuel MURRAY IRT #7 Date of Birth: June 4, 1993 (age: 25) Place of Birth: Saint-Hubert, Canada Current Residence: Baie-Comeau, Canada Height: 6’ 0” Weight: 215 Best US OPEN Finish: Round of 32 (2017)

@mumurball

Mario MERCADO IRT #8 Date of Birth: January 12, 2995 (age: 23) Place of Birth: Cochabamba, Current Residence: Centreville, Virginia Height: 5’ 7” Weight: 155 Best US OPEN Finish: Round of 16 (2017)

Mario.Mercado.372

2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE 13 IRT ’18 -’19 Season Schedule DATE:Grand...... Slam & Tier 1 Events - Full Schedule at www.irt-tour.comLOCATION: September 13-16, 2018...... Laurel, Maryland Rocky Carson def. Samuel Murray 15-7, 15-12

October 3-7, 2018 - UnitedHealthcare US OPEN ...... Minneapolis, Minnesota

November 29 - December 2, 2018...... Portland, Oregon

December 6-9, 2018...... Monterrey, Mexico

January 3-6, 2019...... Canoga Park, California

January 17-20, 2019...... Sioux Falls, South Dakota

March 14-17, 2019...... Chicago, Ilinois

IRT Rankings (as of 10/1/2018) Rank: Player: Points: Rank: Player: Points: 1 Rocky Carson 2872.17 31 Troy Warigon 239.05 2 Alejandro Landa 2536.32 32 Tim Landeryou 212 3 Kane Waselenchuk 2300.7 33 Tony Carson 187.01 4 Daniel De La Rosa 2002.17 34 Sebastian Fernandez 185.03 5 Alvaro Beltran 1964.02 35 Eduardo Portillo 182.01 6 Sebastian Franco 1754.17 36 Fernando Rios 182 7 Samuel Murray 1692.03 37 Nicolas Bousquet 180 8 Mario Mercado 1526.02 38 Alejandro Cardona 175.01 9 Jansen Allen 1498.02 39 Francisco Troncoso 162.05 10 Andree Parrilla 1221.14 40 Maurice Miller 153.03 11 David Horn 1216.02 41 Fabrizio Mora 143.01 12 Jose Diaz 1002.01 42 Dylan Reid 140.03 13 Charles Pratt 972.14 43 Javier Estrada 135 14 Adam Manilla 911.02 44 Edwin Galicia 132.01 15 Jake Bredenbeck 877.01 45 Ernesto Ochoa 130 16 Felipe Camacho 763.04 46 Edson Martinez 129.01 17 Thomas Carter 716.03 47 Austin Cunningham 127.01 18 Robert Collins 570.05 48 Set Cubillos 124.01 19 Javier Mar 520 49 Nick Montalbano 110 20 Nicholas Riffel 495.04 50 Sunji Spencer 105 21 Gerardo Franco 444.99 51 Brad Schopieray 101.99 22 Andres Acuna 401.01 52 Christian Wer Llerena 95 23 Justus Benson 357.02 53 Hiroshi Shimizu 90 24 Rodrigo Montoya 338.01 54 Kyle Ulliman 89.99 25 332 55 Sergio Acuna 84.99 26 Scott McClellan 323.08 56 Mauricio Zelada 84.02 27 Conrrado Moscoso 300 57 Erik Garcia 82.01 28 Mauro Rojas 264.02 58 Alex Midkiff 75 29 John Wolfe 253.02 59 Noe Rivera 70.02 30 252 60 Hal Rutherford 70

14 2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour

www.lprtour.com

Player Biographies

2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE 15 Paola LONGORIA LPRT #1 Date of Birth: July 20, 1989 (age: 29) Place of Birth: San Luis Potosi, Mexico Current Residence: Monterrey, Mexico College: Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon Height: 5’ 5” Year Started Playing: 2006 Best US OPEN Finish: 8-Time Champion (2008, ‘11, ‘12, ‘13, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16 & ‘17) @PaoLongoria

Frédérique LAMBERT LPRT #2 Date of Birth: March 27, 1992 (Age: 26) Place of Birth: Montreal, Canada Current Residence: Montreal, Canada College: Universite de Montreal Height: 5’ 6” Year Started Playing: 2001 Best US OPEN Finish: Finalist (2017)

@FredeLambert

16 2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE Samantha SALAS LPRT #3 Date of Birth: December 15, 1986 (Age: 32) Place of Birth: Guanajuato, Mexico Current Residence: Monterrey, Mexico College: Autonoma de Nuevo Leon Height: 5’ 7” Year Started Playing: 2000 Best US OPEN Finish: Finalist (2016)

@ViolentaSalas

Alexandra HERRERA LPRT #4 Date of Birth: January 10, 1995 (Age: 23) Place of Birth: Tijuana, Mexico Current Residence: Monterrey, Mexico College: Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leo Height: 5’ 6” Year Started Playing: 2008 Best US OPEN Finish: Quarterfinals (2017) @AlexaHerreraAvs

2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE 17 Nancy Enriquez LPRT #5 Date of Birth: October 13, 1986 (age: 31) Place of Birth: Chihuahua, Mexico Current Residence: Chihuahua, Mexico Year Started Playing: 2006 Best US OPEN Finish: Round of 16 (2017)

@NancyEnriquezA

Rhonda RAJSICH LPRT #6 Date of Birth: October 7, 1978 (age: 39) Place of Birth: Phoenix, Arizona Current Residence: Phoenix, Arizona College: Stephen F. Austin State Height: 5’ 10” Year Started Playing: 1978 Best US OPEN Finish: 4-Time Champion (2003, 2007, 2009 & 2010) @RhondaRocks23

18 2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE Maria Jose VARGAS LPRT #7 Date of Birth: March 18, 1993 (age: 25) Place of Birth: Santa Cruz, Bolivia Current Residence: Buenos Aries, College: UPSA / Bolivia Height: 5’ 8” Year Started Playing: 2001 Best US OPEN Finish: Finalist (2014)

@MariaJoseVargasParada

Natalia MENDEZ LPRT #8 Date of Birth: January 28, 1997 (Age: 21) Place of Birth: Santa Cruz, Bolivia Current Residence: Buenos Aires, Argentina College: Gabriel Rene Moreno Height: 5’ 6” Year Started Playing: 2007 Best US OPEN Finish: Semifinals (2017)

@NataliaMendeze

2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE 19 LPRT ’18 -’19 Season Schedule Grand Slam & Tier 1 Events - Full Schedule at www.lprtour.com

DATE:...... LOCATION:

August 24-26, 2019...... San Luis Potosí, Mexico Paola Longoria def. Samantha Salas Solis 11-7, 11-1, 11-3

OCTOBER 3-7, 2018 - UnitedHealthcare US OPEN...... MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

October 26-28, 2018...... Boston, Massachusetts

November 16-18, 2018...... Chicago, Illinois

December 14-16, 2018...... Laurel, Maryland

January 25-27, 2019...... Greenville, South Carolina

LPRT Rankings (as of 10/1/2018) Rank: Player: Points: Rank: Player: Points: 1 Paola Longoria 1,670.00 30 Ceci Pratt 54 2 Frederique Lambert 934 31 Diana Aguilar 52.5 3 Samantha Salas 580 32 Robin Whitmire 50 4 Alexandra Herrera 519.5 33 Jennifer Dering 48 5 Nancy Enriquez 506.5 34 Jenny Daza 44.75 6 Rhonda Rajsich 500 35 Aime Brewer 43.75 7 Maria Jose Vargas 468.25 35 Jennifer Saunders 43.75 8 Jessica Parilla 431.5 37 Denisse Maldonado 40 9 Natalia Mendez 422 38 Angelica Barrios 39.5 10 345.5 39 Daniela Molina 37.5 11 Carla Munoz 320.5 40 Carolina Rivera Luque 32.5 12 Adriana Riveros 279 41 Michelle De La Rosa 32.25 13 Gabriella Martinez 244.75 42 Kelani Bailey 25 14 Sheryl Lotts 195.5 42 Abril Prado 25 15 Adrienne Fisher Haynes 188.75 44 Hollie Scott 20.75 16 Maria Renee Rodriguez 186.5 45 Jordan Cooperrider 19.75 17 Susy Acosta-Mendoza 155.25 46 Laura Brandt 18.75 18 Casandra Lee 150.25 46 Sara Jeys 18.75 19 Eleni Guzman Velgis 136.25 46 Anita Maldonado 18.75 20 Monserrat Mejia 129.5 46 Erika Manilla 18.75 21 Ana Laura Flores 92.5 46 Janel Tisinger 18.75 22 Montse Perez 87.75 51 Michelle Morisette 17.25 23 Lucia Gonzalez 78 52 Maritza Franco 12.5 24 Brenda Laime 71 52 Cheryl Gudinas 12.5 25 Erin Rivera 70 52 Arrisa Hanson 12.5 26 Hannah Shnurman 64 52 Sharon Jackson 12.5 27 Masiel Rivera 60.25 52 Maria Paz Riquelme 12.5 28 Maria Paz Munoz 56.75 57 Youngock Lee 4.75 29 Yazmine Sabja 56 58 Linda Tyler 3.75 20 2018 US OPEN RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - MEDIA GUIDE USA RACQUETBALL

GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE SUPPORT

OF OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

National Co-Sponsors US OPEN Media Operations

Jeff Oliver, Media Manager [email protected] 541-543-7775

Leo Vasquez, Public Relations Manager [email protected] 817-791-4948

Cheryl Kirk, Staff Writer

Twitter: @usopenrb