Junior Worlds - And now the going gets tough ...

SAN LUIS POTOSI, Mexico - The going got tougher on day two of the 16th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and some of the Canadians got going, and some didn't.

It was a mixed day of results for the members of Canada's Junior Team in the first round of World Cup competition.

In girl's 14 and under, Denise Haynes (Clare, NS) was in tough against Paola Longoria of Mexico, as Longoria reached the quarter finals of the US Open last month, racquetball's premier event. Haynes was close in the first game, but with Longoria pouring it on in game two, Haynes lost two straight, 15-13, 15-4.

Christine Richardson (Regina, SK) split her matches on Saturday, beating Jessica Sarmiento, 15-1, 15-1, but losing to Shannon Inglesby, 15-5, 15-6.

In doubles, Haynes and Richardson lost to Longoria and Acdrete (Mexico), 15-4, 15-3.

In girl's 16 and under, Lyse-Ann Landreville of Sherbrooke, Quebec won a close match against American Ashley Willhite, 6-15, 15-10, 11-6.

Chelsea Woodmass (Brandon, MB) lost to Disney Linares 15-9, 10-15, 11-8.

Also, Landreville and Woodmass lost their doubles match against Guzman and Moreno (Mexico), 15-3, 15-4.

In girl's 18 and under Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Saskatoon, SK) was involved in another tie-breaker as on Friday, but on Saturday she was on the losing end against Mexican Nancy Enriquez, 15-4, 6-15, 11-5.

Alison Schlichemeyer (Saskatoon, SK), Canada's other 18 and under girl's player, didn't play Saturday.

In the boy's competitions, Sean Barclay (Saskatoon, SK) and Mathieu Messier (Repentigny, PQ) both split their singles matches in the under 14 division. Barclay defeated Mark Tiernay, 15-1, 15-0, but lost to Jose Rojas (Mexico), 15-3, 15-12.

Messier beat Englishman Joshua Aburrow-Newman, 15-2, 15-1, but lost to Felipe Alonso, 15-4, 15-8.

In their doubles match, Barclay and Messier lost to J. De los Rios and A. Martinez of Mexico, 15-1, 15-13.

In the 16 and under division, Michael Burgess (Brandon, MB) won his match against Jorge Zambrana, 15-5, 15-9, but Ryan Smith (Burlington, ON) lost his match against American Alan Crockett, 15-5, 15-10.

In doubles, Burgess and Smith lost to Estrada and Ortega, 15-11, 15-9.

In the 18 and under division, Eric Desrochers (Ancaster, ON) won both his singles matches against Junior Delgado, 15-1, 15-9, and Luis Reveron (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-9. However, James Landeryou (Saskatoon, SK) split his matches. He defeated Karl Boer, 15-2, 15-3, but lost to Dan Shepprick, 14-15, 15-4, 11-5.

In doubles, Desrochers and Landeryou lost to a strong Mexican team of De los Rios and Augustin Tristan, 15-6, 15-12.

The first round of the World Cup competition is now complete, and the results will be used to seed players for an elimination round.

In the Esprit Cup competition for ages 12 and under, Logan Hordyski (Saskatoon, SK) beat Carlos Rios (Costa Rica), 15-10, 12-15, 11-3, but then lost to Joseph Lee of the USA, 15-10, 15-6. Hordyski and doubles partner Cassian Ferlatte (Saint John, NB) lost their match to Lopez and Rios of Mexico, 15-2, 15-2.

It was a tougher day in the Friendship Cup competition for non-National Team members ages 13-18. In boy's 16 and under, Josh Keil (Saskatoon, SK) lost to Ivan Sanchez of Mexico, 15-11, 15-10, Graham Richardson lost to Alex Landa (USA), 15-12, 15-6, Tommy Murray (Baie Comeau, PQ) lost to Jesus Perez (Mexico), 15-5, 15-8, and Ben Backman lost to Stefano Luconi (Costa Rica), 15-2, 12-15, 11-0.

However, Brandon, Manitoba native Alex McCormack won, but was at the expense of fellow Canadian François Messier (Repentigny, PQ), 15-4, 15-11.

In boy's 18 and under Tommy Desbiens (Baie Comeau, PQ) lost to Evan Ussery (USA), 15-2, 15-4.

San Luis Potosi, Mexico : December 17, 2004 : 17 decembre, 2004

Junior Worlds - Day 1 is mostly fine

SAN LUIS POTOSI, Mexico - Things have gone well for most of the Canadians on the first day of competition at the 16th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

The members of Canada's Junior Team won most of their matches on Friday in the World Cup competition.

In girl's 14 and under, Denise Haynes (Clare, NS) defeated Maria Vazquez (Bolivia) 15-7, 15-3, but Christine Richardson (Regina, SK) lost to Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-5. In doubles, Haynes and Richardson lost to Bolivians Daza and Vazquez, 15-10, 15-9.

In girl's 16 and under Lyse-Ann Landreville (Sherbrooke, PQ) easily defeated both of her opponents, Ana Karen Rodrigiez, 15-2, 15-0, and Corline Escobar (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-0. Chelsea Woodmass (Brandon, MB) beat Giovanna Vazquez, 15-6, 15-12, but then lost to Marcela Moreno (Mexico), 15-0, 15-1. Landreville and Woodmass won their doubles match against Brito and Rodriguez (Ecuador), 15-0, 15-1.

In girl's 18 and under Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Saskatoon, SK) defeated Ivonne Carpio (Ecuador), 8-15, 15-8, 11-2. Alison Schlichemeyer (Saskatoon, SK) had a mixed day, defeating Vivian Reveron (Venezuela), 15-11, 15-7, but then losing to American Adrienne Fisher, 15-3, 11-15, 11-4. Prentice and Schlichemeyer also lost their doubles games to Mexicans Enriquez and Salas, 15-7, 15-10.

In the boy's competitions, Sean Barclay (Saskatoon, SK) and Mathieu Messier (Repentigny, PQ) easily won both of their singles matches in the under 14 division against Manuel Medina, 15-2, 15-2, and Ambraham Mercado, 15-0, 15-0, respectively. Then they teamed up to post two easy victories in doubles against R. Laprea and Gil (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-3, and Leon and Vintmilla (Ecuador), 15-2, 15-4.

In the 16 and under division, Michael Burgess (Brandon, MB) won his two matches against Dayan Yamin, 15-3, 15-2, and Paolo Pavon, 15-2, 15-12, and Ryan Smith (Burlington, ON) won his two matches against César Castillo, 15-10, 15-6, and Nolsen Jimenez (Cuba), 15-9, 15-7. Burgess and Smith won their doubles match against Rios and Ulgalde, 15-13, 13-15, 11-8.

In the 18 and under division, Eric Desrochers (Ancaster, ON) won his match against Joaquin Solera, 15-10, 15-9, and James Landeryou (Saskatoon, SK) against Esteban Pastorov, 15-5, 15-5.

The first round of the World Cup competition is a preliminary round that will be used to seed players for an elimination round.

In the Esprit Cup competition for ages 12 and under, Cassian Ferlatte (Saint John, NB) lost to Dylan Reid (USA), 15-13, 15-4, Logan Hordyski (Saskatoon, SK) beat José Murisio Lopez (Mexico), 15-1, 15-5, and Mathieu Grand'Maître (Longueuil, PQ) lost to Pietro Sudasassi (Costa Rica), 15-8, 15-0.

Also in the Esprit Cup, Brigitte Richard (Montreal) defeated Gabriela Reyes (Mexico), 15-3, 15-13, in the girl's 12 and under division.

In the Friendship Cup for non National Team members ages 13-18, Josh Keil (Saskatoon, SK) beat American David LaForest, 15-12, 15-14 in the 16 and under boy's division. Also in 16 and under boy's Graham Richardson defeated Michael Phillips (USA), 15-8, 15-8, Tommy Murray (Baie Comeau, PQ) defeated Pietro Luconi (Costa Rica), 15-10, 15-5, and winning twice on Friday was Brandon, Manitoba native Alex McCormack over David Molina (Ecuador), 15-6, 15-3 and Tripp Isley (USA), 15-0, 15-0. Also, in a battle of two Canadians in 16 and under, François Messier defeated Ben Backman, 15-7, 15-7.

In boy's 18 and under Tommy Desbiens defeated César Padilla, 15-4, 15-3. Also in boy's 14 and under Sébastian Boissoneault (Burnaby, BC) lost to Alejandro Martinez of Mexico, 15-0, 15-2.

Finally, in mixed doubles Brandon, Manitobans Alex McCormack and Alicia Reid lost to Reveron and Peitri (Venezuela), 15-10, 15-9.

This year's World Junior Championships has over 325 players from 15 countries, including 30 Canadians from 7 provinces. Competition continues through Tuesday in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

CANADIAN RESULTS SUMMARY

WORLD CUP COMPEITION

Girl's 14 and under

Denise Haynes (Clare, NS) d. Maria Vazquez (Bolivia) 15-7, 15-3

Christine Richardson (Regina, SK) lost to Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-5

Haynes and Richardson lost to Daza and Vazquez (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-9

Girl's 16 and under

Lyse-Ann Landreville (Sherbrooke, PQ) d. Ana Karen Rodrigiez (Ecuador), 15-2, 15-0
Lyse-Ann Landreville (Sherbrooke, PQ) d. Corline Escobar (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-0

Chelsea Woodmass (Brandon, MB) d. Giovanna Vazquez, 15-6, 15-12
Chelsea Woodmass (Brandon, MB) lost to Marcela Moreno (Mexico), 15-0, 15-1

Landreville and Woodmass d. Brito and Rodriguez (Ecuador), 15-0, 15-1

Girl's 18 and under

Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Saskatoon, SK) d. Ivonne Carpio (Ecuador), 8-15, 15-8, 11-2

Alison Schlichemeyer (Saskatoon, SK) d. Vivian Reveron (Venezuela), 15-11, 15-7
Alison Schlichemeyer (Saskatoon, SK) lost to Adrienne Fisher (USA), 15-3, 11-15, 11-4

Prentice and Schlichemeyer lost to Nancy Enriquez and Samantha Salas, 15-7, 15-10.

Boy's 14 & under

Sean Barclay (Saskatoon, SK) d. Manuel Medina, 15-2, 15-2

Mathieu Messier (Repentigny, PQ) d. Ambraham Mercado, 15-0, 15-0

Barclay & Messier d. R. Laprea and Gil (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-3
Barclay & Messier d. Leon and Vintmilla (Ecuador), 15-2, 15-4

Boy's 16 and under division

Michael Burgess (Brandon, MB) d. Dayan Yamin, 15-3, 15-2.
Michael Burgess (Brandon, MB) d. Paolo Pavon, 15-2, 15-12

Ryan Smith (Burlington, ON) d. César Castillo (Guatamala), 15-10, 15-6
Ryan Smith (Burlington, ON) d. Nolsen Jimenez (Cuba), 15-9, 15-7

Burgess and Smith d. Rios and Ulgalde (Ecuador), 15-13, 13-15, 11-8

Boy's 18 and under

Eric Desrochers (Ancaster, ON) d.Joaquin Solera, 15-10, 15-9

James Landeryou (Saskatoon, SK) d. Esteban Pastorov, 15-5, 15-5

ESPIRIT CUP COMPEITION

Boy's 12 and under

Cassian Ferlatte (Saint John, NB) lost to Dylan Reid (USA), 15-13, 15-4
Logan Hordyski (Saskatoon, SK) d. José Murisio Lopez (Mexico), 15-1, 15-5
Mathieu Grand'Maître (Longueuil, PQ) lost to Pietro Sudasassi (Costa Rica), 15-8, 15-0

Girl's 12 and under

Brigitte Richard (Montreal) d. Gabriela Reyes (Mexico), 15-3, 15-13

FRIENDSHIP CUP COMPETITION

Boy's 16 and under

Josh Keil (Saskatoon, SK) d. David LaForest (USA), 15-12, 15-14
Graham Richardson (Regina, SK) d. Michael Phillips (USA), 15-8, 15-8
Tommy Murray (Baie Comeau, PQ) d. Pietro Luconi (Costa Rica), 15-10, 15-5
Alex McCormack (Brandon, MB) d. David Molina (Ecuador), 15-6, 15-3
Alex McCormack (Brandon, MB) d. Tripp Isley (USA), 15-0, 15-0
François Messier (Repentigny, PQ) d. Ben Backman, 15-7, 15-7

Boy's 18 & under

Tommy Desbiens (Baie Comeau, PQ) d. César Padilla, 15-4, 15-3

Boy's 14 and under

Sébastian Boissoneault (Burnaby, BC) lost to Alejandro Martinez of Mexico, 15-0, 15-2

Mixed Doubles 16 & under

Alex McCormack (Brandon, MB) and Alicia Reid (Brandon, MB) lost to Reveron and Peitri (Venezuela), 15-10, 15-9

Junior Canadian Racquetball Players in Mexico

Thirty Canadian junior racquetball players from 7 provinces will be competing in the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Championships presented by Penn Racquet Sports that begin this week in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. It is the first time these championships have been held outside of the United States.

The Canadian contingent is led by the 12 members of Team Canada:

Boys 18 and under : Eric Desrochers (Ancaster, ON) and James Landeryou (Saskatoon, SK)
Girls 18 and under : Alison Schlichemeyer (Saskatoon, SK) and Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Saskatoon, SK)
Boys 16 and under : Micheal Burgess (Brandon, MB) and Ryan Smith (Burlington, ON),
Girls 16 and under : Lysa-Ann Landreville (Sherbrooke, PQ) and Chelsea Woodmass (Brandon, MB)
Boys 14 and under : Mathieu Messier (Repentigny, PQ) and Sean Barclay (Saskatoon, SK)
Girls 14 and under category : Denise Haynes (Clare, NS) and Christine Richardson (Regina, SK)

The team is composed of the players who made it to the finals of their respective singles divisions at the 2004 Canadian Junior National Championships held earlier this year in Charlottetown, PEI. These players will compete for the overall world junior championship titles in singles and doubles, as well as for the team title. Mexico finished first in the team competition last year, and Canada was third behind the USA.

In addition to the Team Canada players, there are 18 Canadians who will be competing in the Esprit Cup, for players in age divisions 12 and under and younger, and the Friendship Cup, for players in age divisions 18 and under and younger but who are not national team members.

Those players are :

Logan Hordyski (Saskatoon, SK)
Cassian Ferlatte (Saint John, NB)
Mathieu Grand'Maitre (Longueuil, PQ)
Frederique T. Lambert (Montreal)
Erin Baldwin (Saskatoon, SK)
Brigitte Richard (Montreal)
Sebastian Boissoneault (Burnaby, BC)
Kevin Gauthier (Surrey, BC)
Michael Gauthier (Surrey, BC)
Tommy Murray (Baie Comeau, PQ)
Graham Richardson (Regina, SK)
Josh Keil (Saskatoon, SK)
Francois Messier (Repentigny, PQ)
Alex McCormack (Brandon, MB)
Ben Backman (Langley, BC)
Tommy Desbiens (Baie Comeau)
Marika Landreville (Sherbrooke, PQ)
Alicia Reid (Brandon, MB)

Over 320 players from 15 countries will be competing in the championships, which begin on Thursday December 16 with the opening ceremonies. Play commences Friday December 17 and runs to December 22.

For more information please consult the Racquetball Canada website (www.racquetball.ca) or the IRF website (www.internationalracquetball.com), or contact Evan Pritchard, Vice-President, Marketing and Communications, Racquetball Canada, (204) 772-7737, evan333@mts.net, or Ron Brown, Executive Director, Racquetball Canada, (204) 237-9880, mrsbrown@mb.sympatico.ca.