The 2007 Seattle Open
Seattle WA- Beautiful weather greeted the racquetball world here in Seattle at the Washington Athletic Club as the IRT made it’s first visit to the Emerald City in over 12 years. The amateur portion of the draw was one of the largest in recent history reaching its capacity of 140 players Pacific Northwest. Event director Neal Heggen worked very hard on bringing this event to Seattle and with the help of his tournament staff it was a great event.
Qualifying rounds started Thursday evening and featured some great matches. Michimune Kono form Japan won a five game war with Jeff Stark. Kono came back from taking a ball to the face and losing his contact to win the match. The shot, a miss hit by Stark, left Kono’s eyeguards in five pieces. In another good match Lee Connell all the way from Saskatoon Canada pulled off an upset of sorts defeating Calgary’s Brian Istace in five games 13-11 in the fifth. Lee played some outstanding ball throughout the match. Top seeds in the qualifying Ben Croft and Andy Hawthorne took out locals Bill Napier and Doug Jones respectively. Portland’s young star Charlie Pratt took out University of Colorado’s Matt Melster and Japan’s best Hiroshi Shimizu took out Canadian, Mike Burgess. Chicagoan Keith Minor defeated Tim Landeryou who hails from Saskatoon, in four and Alejandro Herrera moved forward by way of default.
The round of sixteen had a few good matchups. Starting the day off at 11:30 was Mitch Williams and Ben Croft. These two are roommates at the University of Colorado at Pueblo but when it comes to the IRT they are anything but. This match would be the barnburner as Croft came out with lots to prove. Croft took the first two 11-3 and 11-5, with some great offensive shots. Just when the crowd counted out Williams he came storming back to take the next two games 11-6 and 11-5 to set the stage for game five. The fifth would be a heck of a game with Croft coming out on top 11-8. Jason Mannino would take out Michimune Kono in three straight also at 11:30. The second wave saw Jack Huczek defeat Saskatoon’s Lee Connell who made his first appearance in the main draw and played well. Chris Crowther would battle Andy Hawthorne and come out on top in four games. Portland star Charlie Pratt would play his best but it would not be enough as he loses to Rocky Carson in three. Shane Vanderson would need four games to take out Japan’s Hiroshi Shimizu and Keith Minor of Chicago would give Alvaro Beltran all he could handle before losing three close games. That would finish of the round of sixteen.
The stage was set for the quarterfinals in front of a full house at the Washington Athletic Club. Jason Mannino would face off against Ben Croft in the first match. Jason would get in the box the first and never have to return a serve as he wins game one 11-0. Croft would step it in the second losing a tough game 11-9. Ben would continue to surprise the crowd and Mannino winning the third 11-7. The fourth would be close but the veteran would come out on top as Mannino takes the fourth 12-10 to move on to the semi-finals.
The second match had Jack Huczek battling Chris Crowther. Chris has given Huczek fits this year as he uses his six foot six frame to his advantage. Chris can pound the ball but Huczek kept the ball in play this match and went ahead and let Crowther pound away. The end result would be a four game victory for Huczek 13,9 3 as he advances to his eighth consecutive semi-final appearance of the season.
Next up were crowd favorite Rocky Carson and the ever-entertaining Jason Thoerner. Thoerner who would come out blistering hot in the first winning it 11-9. Rocky would play the waiting game and wait for Jason to cool down and eventually win the next three games and the match 5 7 5 to move on the meet Jason Mannino on Saturday afternoon.
The last match of the night would be the longest as Shane Vanderson and Alvaro Beltran went to war and stayed at war until 11:30 pm. The only five gamer of the quarters this would be and up and down battle. Beltran won the first two games 11-1 and 11-9 on a few Vanderson unforced errors. The errors would go Vanderson's way in the next two as Beltran struggled to find the front wall and Shane takes the next two games 11-4 11-6. Game five would go Beltran’s way 11-4, as Vandy never was able to put together a run. Beltran would move on to meet Jack Huczek in the top half of the draw.
The players were treated with sunny skies and mild temperatures on Saturday of the event as most of the IRT players were able to do a little sight seeing and enjoy the beautiful city of Seattle. Jason Mannino met up with Rocky Carson in the first match of the day and both players came to play. Rocky would take control the first two games and winning the big shots but Mannino never let up. The third saw Jason never miss and much to Rocky’s surprise the game ended quick 11-0. Rocky would bounce right back to win the fourth and the match 7 9 (0) 2 and appear in his third final of the year. Jack Huczek was up next against Alvaro Beltran. Beltran has been playing some great ball of late losing in the finals of the New York City Pro Am but so has Huczek. This match would be close but Huczek would come out on top in close games 8 9 5 and move ahead to the finals to meet his doubles partner Rocky Carson. Jack’s fitness level came into play in this one and eh continues to wear his opponents out.
The finals were played in front of full house and a loud house on Sunday .The fans had a hard time deciding whom to cheer for so they screamed loud for both players. Rocky would start off like a man on a quest as he kept his focus and kept Jack shooting from the backcourt. Jack would struggle a little in the first two games and skipped more balls than usual losing 11-3 11-6. Rocky would lose his legs and the next game 11-4 as Huczek found his game and looked much more focused. . The next would be a battle as both players traded points and had some incredible rallies. Huczek would hold on in this one and force a fifth game 14-12. The crowd was really fired up as both players returned to the stadium court as the excitement grew. Somehow Rocky found his legs again and went on a tear taking the fifth game 11-3 and the Seattle Open Title. This would be Rocky’s third career win and first win in three years. The IRT showed its parody as three different players have won the last three events.
SIDE NOTES:
A huge thanks you to Kevin Ballard for bringing the IRT to Seattle. Kevin began speaking to the IRT about bringing the IRT to Seattle back in April and his vision was played out in grand fashion. It is people like Kevin that make this sport so special.
Thanks to John Delaney and Central Bank Mortgage for helping out with the event. John has been a long time supporter of racquetball and the founding father of the IRT. Great to have you back in the sport again John and the IRT looks forward to seeing you at future events.
What a great support staff for the event. The WRA did a great job running the event from the amateur side and raising over $2000 for Washington junior racquetball. This is a well-run state and should be commended for their hard work.
Board member Wanda Collins is a great leader in Washington racquetball and a special friend to the game. She worked very hard all weekend making everyone feel at home. Her devotion to junior racquetball is unparallel and a true inspiration to the sport. The IRT was honored to help you and your juniors at the event.
Hats off to the Washington Athletic Club. What an awesome facility with its own hotel, The Inn at the WAC in the same building as the club. The players loved the fact that you could get off the elevator and be at the racquetball courts. This is a top-notch faculty located in the heart of downtown Seattle and we thank the WAC for opening its doors to the racquetball community and guests for the weekend.
Thanks you to all the great fans that attended the event. This was the loudest and most enthusiastic crowd of the year. The pros really enjoyed your enthusiasm and it showed in their play. The louder you got the more they gave back.
Lastly this event does not happen without the vision of event director Neal Heggen. Just when we did not think the event would happen even though the IRT had secured the full prize money purse Neal stepped up and rallied the WRA board and the WAC to host this event and what a great event it was. Neal worked endless hours getting everything ready and running a first class event. Neal on behalf of the IRT and its players we cannot thank you enough.