The 2008 Seattle Open

Seattle WA- Beautiful weather greeted the racquetball world here in Seattle at the Washington Athletic Club as the IRT returned to the Emerald City for a sophomore event. 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 and the Washington State Racquetball Association worked very hard on bringing this event back once again to Seattle and with the help of his tournament staff it was a great event. This is a great city to play in and at one of the best facilities for event that the IRT plays at, the Washington Athletic Club in the heart of downtown Seattle.

The IRT draw was large and there were many great matches. The final would showcase Jack Huczek and Jason Mannino. Jason would spoil Rocky Carson’s attempt to defend his title by taking him out in the semi-finals. Jack would once come out on top in his semi-final match up against his nemesis Alvaro Beltran.  The final would be a battle and Huczek would take the title in five hard fought games. There were no upsets in the early rounds at this event but a flu virus was making its way around the tour players and was noticeable as Mitch Williams had to bow out of his quarterfinal match due to illness.

The weekend was great and the event was run very smoothly. Wanda Collins and the volunteer staff need to be commended for the terrific drop they did keeping the matched on time and raising funds for junior racquetball in Washington. The funds they raise help pay for various juniors entry fees and travel to events across the state. Someday soon there will be a Washington junior battling likes of Jack Huczek and Rocky Carson on the IRT.

SIDE NOTES:

A huge thanks you to Kevin Ballard for bringing the IRT to Seattle and being the title sponsor of the event. Kevin has been a huge supporter of the IRT and 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.

Thank 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. Neal worked endless hours getting everything ready and running a first class event and has taken on the role of president of the WRA this year. Neal on behalf of the IRT and its players we cannot thank you enough.