Author: DV
Junior WPH Clinic in Florida
Junior WPH proudly hosted a Junior WPH handball clinic at the University of West Florida’s Argonauts Classic for the second consecutive year with players of all levels participating in the clinic coached by WPH Certified Instructor and top 14 R48 pro Luis Cordova.
“All of the clinic participants were extremely enthusiastic about improving their handball games, particularly the college handball players on the University of West Florida Handball team,” stated Cordova. “There were about 25 players in the clinic, ranging from open players to beginners. Each player explained a shot that he or she was struggling to execute, and I demonstrated techniques to improve each respective shot. The clinic ended with a question and answer session regarding the proper second serve, defensive strategy, and the back wall kill shot. The clinic was certainly the highlight of the incredible event on the UWF campus in Pensacola, FL.”
Luis Cordova won the open division at the WPH Argonauts Classic, defeating one of the Southeast’s top players, Sergio Arroyo, in the final.
The WPH would like to thank University of West Florida handball coach and team president Michael Morgan for his tireless efforts in promoting the WPH Argonauts Classic and in promoting the game of handball. Coach Morgan started the UWF handball program, personally introducing the game of handball to hundreds of college students and forming one of the most formidable collegiate handball programs in the country in just four years. Coach Morgan and his handball team travel to nearly a dozen tournaments per year and will be on hand at the WPH R48 IV Stop #3 in Houston, TX, January 23rd-25th.
The WPH is able to host weekly junior handball clinics and support tournaments across the country because of the generous donations of those in the sport and outside of the sport that believe in the tremendous benefits that handball provides to young people. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today and supporting the growth of the game. 100% of the donations received by the WPH go towards junior handball development. Donate on-line at www.thehandballstore.com, send your generous gifts through PayPal (extremehandball@cs.com) or by mailing checks to: WPH, 3561 E. Sunrise Dr. Suite 125, Tucson, AZ, 85718. -Story by Mike Morgan and Dave Fink, WPH
59th Annual USHA JR 4W Nationals
Handball Hall of Fame, Great Weather and more in Tucson!Tucson is home to the U.S. Handball Hall of Fame and juniors can check out the great photos, videos, and more, during the annual main event for aspiring handball players. For the second time, the Juniors will offer big ball competition.
Special Note: The big ball events will start on Dec. 26, with special consideration for out-of-town players for a late start. Plan to arrive as early as possible on the 26th if you’re planning to play big ball.
More news about the nationals:
Visit http://www.ushandball.org for links to the Facebook page.
What a Day in Tucson
Four of next week’s top six seeds were in action at the Tucson Racquet Club this morning, as world champion Paul Brady sparred against R48 top 8 pro David Fink and WPH R48 #1 Luis Moreno sparred against three-time Race champion Sean Lenning. Before the sparring sessions, Fink and Lenning picked up games with several of the FLF standouts. “I cannot believe how good these kids are getting,” revealed Fink. “These kids are improving every time I see them.”
Locals honed their games in advance of next week’s event, while also watching a Tucson R48 IV Stop #2 preview. “You can’t get this anywhere in the world,” barked WPH board member Jeff Healam.
The Junior WPH Warriors took the court immediately following the pro exhibitions, as Coach Tanner Cleveland led his charges through the Warrior’s second-to-last practice session before the Tucson R48 and Junior WPH Benefit, Powered by ESPN and EDTL Handball.
To enter next week’s Tucson R48 and Junior WPH Benefit, Powered by ESPN and EDTL Handball, go to http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=13037. It’s a No-Entry fee event! All players are asked to make a donation to Junior WPH and the growth of the game.
Handball and Golf with Naty Alvarado
The World Players of Handball will be holding an adult handball clinic at the Tucson R48 Stop on Saturday afternoon, November 8th with living legend Naty Alvarado Jr. Mr. Alvarado will be teaching the clinic, focusing how to improve your strokes, how to incorporate better strategy into your singles and doubles games, and how to have more fun on the court. Tournament participants that make a donation of $150 or more will be entered into the special clinic. The WPH will also be teaching a junior clinic that will be free to all junior handball players.
Mr. Alvarado will also play a round of golf with all WPH and Tucson R48 gold level sponsors. The round of golf will be played on Thursday, November 6th or Friday, November 7th at one of Tucson’s premiere courses. All gold level ($500+) sponsors will be eligible for the round of golf and the unforgettable experience of talking handball and sharing an afternoon with one of the game’s greatest ever players and gentleman. Gold level sponsors will be eligible for both the handball clinic and the round of golf.
All proceeds from the clinic and round of golf go towards Junior WPH and inspiring and introducing the next generation of handball players.
If you are interested in the adult handball clinic or a round of golf with “El Tigre,” please email David Fink at fink@race4eight.com or call (412) 716-6000 to make the arrangements. Register now!
FLF Pro Final Inspires the Youth
WPH R48 #1 Luis Moreno faced sparring partner and former WPH R48 #1 Sean Lenning is the final of the men’s pro singles at the FLF Salute to Kids. The pair met for the second time in eight days, with Lenning upsetting Moreno and notching his first win over the #1 in four years at the Plummer Bash last weekend.
Unreal. Spectacular. Sensational. Unbelievable. Perhaps those are the only adjectives to describe the play of Moreno and Lenning on a beautiful Sunday morning in Tucson.
Moreno raced to a 7-1 lead in game one in just three minutes and 15 seconds, hitting the ball just 11 times en route to scoring seven points. Lenning answered, scoring six unanswered points in just two minutes and 30 seconds to tie the score at seven. The shots were breathtaking, with the power simply incomprehensible. Moreno surged again, scoring six consecutive points to take a 13-7 lead, but no lead was safe in this gunfight. With both players consistently hitting flat rollouts with both hands from everywhere on the court, virtually every rally ended with a mouse.
Lenning ultimately led 19-17 and appeared to be in control of game one. Moreno tied the score at 19, and after consecutive side outs, scored the 20th point on a blistering ace down the left. Moreno followed a short serve with a second serve that bounced into the back wall and right wall to give Lenning a huge setup. Lenning ended the game anticlimactically, making just his second unforced error of the game on perhaps the easiest opportunity in the game and ceding game one, 21-19.
Moreno started hot in game two, as he had done to start the match, building a 7-1 lead. Although appearing to be winded, Lenning continued to push, dazzling the awestruck gallery with unconventional rally-ending kills and cat-like reflexes. The two would trade the lead 11 times in game two. Lenning appeared to be in control once again late in the game, leading 19-17 and just two points from forcing a tiebreaker. Moreno continued his solid and spectacular play in the closing moments, staving off Lenning’s three attempts to score the 20th point and grabbing the title, 21-19, 21-19.
“The level of play was outstanding,” stated Hall of Famer and FLF founder Fred Lewis, “There were very few errors and the match was just great to watch.”
In fact, Moreno and Lenning combined for under 10 unforced errors in two games, while totaling over 50 rally-ending kill shots.
Both Moreno and Lenning are playing at their highest levels in several years and will be major factors at the WPH Race 4 Eight IV Stop #1 at the Simple Green U.S. Open, October 23rd-26th.
FLF Salute To Kids Continues
“When Paul Brady visited Tucson last March he told me that he had never seen a more thriving junior handball community in the U.S.,” boasted WPH Executive Director David Vincent.
“Not only are the numbers of junior players inspirational in Tucson, but the level of junior play is outstanding,” revealed WPH Development Director David Fink. “I watched an eight-year old with perfect left and right handed swings this morning. In my lifetime around the game, I have never seen an eight-year old playing handball at that level.”
“Our players are developing so quickly,” barked WPH Coach Tanner Cleveland as he cheered on two of his charges from the upstairs balcony. “Each guy is even taking the ball off the back wall with their left!”
Luis Moreno will face Sean Lenning in the finals of the men’s pro at the FLF Salute to Kids in a rematch of the thrilling semifinal clash won by Lenning just a week ago at the Plummer Bash.
Thank you to Fred Lewis and the Fred Lewis Foundation, the World Players of Handball, Abe Montijo and his incredible group of young handball players, and Tanner Cleveland and his burgeoning group of young players.
Jr WPH Summer Campers Play Ball
Junior Handball Booming at the FLF Salute to Kids!
Congratulations to Coach Tanner Cleveland and the Junior WPH Warriors for participating in their first ever tournament tonight at the FLF Salute to Kids!
“I couldn’t have been more proud of how the kids played,” boasted Coach Cleveland. “Each of the kids played so hard and even played through some injuries and it was great to watch and coach them. One of our kids could barely hit the ball when we started three months ago and tonight he almost won his first round! Definitely a proud coach moment!”
The Junior WPH Warriors will be in action in the big ball portion of FLF Salute to Kids tomorrow morning, as will the amazing FLF program. Out of the nearly 70 entries in the Salute to Kids event, over 40 of them are under 18! Junior handball is booming in the desert!
Stay tuned for more junior handball updates throughout the weekend, as well as updates on the pro singles featuring Luis Moreno and Sean Lenning. Go to r2sports.com, for more!
Fred Lewis Foundation Brings Local Buzz
Tucson, AZ, Press, 10/10/14- The Fred Lewis Foundation’s Salute to Kids Handball Tournament kicks off in Tucson, AZ, this day at the Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club [TRC], featuring area players and handball fanatics from out of town and state. “Of the 73 entered, 4o are juniors,” states Lewis, the FLF namesake. “Tanner Cleveland is doing a great job with Junior WPH kids and Kids from both groups are starting to interact and getting to know one another which is very positive.” Fred Lewis vacated his roll as WPH President in early 2013 and formed the Fred Lewis Foundation for Kids; which has been flourishing ever since.
FLF will be holding a fundraising silent auction at Ventana Canyon Country Club on November 22nd, in Tucson, AZ, featuring cocktails and dinner; then, a month later, the FLF will be playing host as the USHA Junior Nationals will begin December 26th – December 30th at the TRC. It’s a busy stretch of months for the former 6-time 4 wall singles champ, “I will have my other hip replaced on January 27th [2015].”
“We at the WPH wish “Steady” Freddy luck and much support with the surgery and upcoming tournaments, fundraisers and events,” claims Dave Vincent, WPH Executive Director. “Lewis has a ton of passion for the kids and they respond to him which is very cool.” WPH will be donating the prize purse for the local Pro division; which features the likes of Sean Lenning, Luis Moreno, Abraham Montijo, Danny Perez, Chris Maldonado, Vinnie Natale and more. Track results, HERE>