April 2008
Sharon Jackson, The High School Sensation
On March 2nd Sharon Jackson of Shelbyville, IN won the 21st USAR National High School Championships in Portland, OR. More than 400 students competed in 70 divisions and she came out on top with a Gold Medal….she is truly “The High School Sensation”.
Sharon began playing racquetball when she was 5 years old and just 13 years later at the age of 18 she owns the coveted title of High School National Champion…what a TREMENDOUS feat! Not only has she won this title, but over her 10-year span of tournaments, from 1998-2008, Sharon has won 11 National and World Titles at Jr. Nationals, Jr. Worlds and the US Open. This does NOT even count all of the local tournaments that she has won.
What impresses me most about this young lady is that when I read over her résumé I learned about ALL of her accomplishments not only as an athlete, but as a student. While I was looking it over all I kept thinking was Wow! (She was even the 2008 “Homecoming Queen”…Wow to that too).
Let me share with you just a few accomplishments that would make any mother or father VERY PROUD:
Academic
- GPA 3.94
- Salutatorian of Graduating Class
- Student Council President
- Shelby County Academic Achievement Award (all “A’s”) 2005, 2006
- Leadership and Science awards-Who’s Who Among American High School Students 2005-07
- Member of National Society of High School Scholars
- National Honor Society
Athletic
- Varsity Letters in Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis and Track
- MVP Tennis 2007
- All-Conference & All-County for Volleyball, Basketball, and Tennis
- Basketball: Most Assists Award, four year letter winner, and the Mohawk leadership award. She was also named to the Shelby County All-Star team that plays to earn money for special education students.
Extracurricular Activities
- Student Council from 9-12th grade
- Student Council Offices: President, Representative, Secretary
- Band: Marching, Pep, and Concert
- Latin Club
- High School Musical “Wizard of Oz” - second lead
- 4-H Club: President and 9-year member
- Sunshine Society from 9-12th grade
- 2008 Shelby County “Hospice” Queen Contest
Racquetball
- 2006 & 2007 Member of the USA Racquetball Team
- Won 11 National and World Titles
- 5-Time All-American Athlete Award
- Won 8+ Statewide Titles
- 7-time Indiana Female Jr. Player of the Year
- 2006 & 2007 Indiana Female Player of the Year
Let’s take a look at some of the questions I asked Sharon and you will have a better understanding of who she is and how she became “The High School Sensation”:
Fran: When, how and why did you start playing?
Sharon: I started playing when I was five years old. My mom was best friends with one of the teachers at her school, Diane Taylor, and her kids played, including my best friend, Shanae Taylor. We traveled to tournaments together as a family type thing and really liked it, and I just kept improving as time went on. I fell in love with the sport!
Fran:Who was and is your mentor?
Sharon: Shanae’s dad, Al Taylor, taught me how to play, but his son Adam Taylor has given me lessons more recently. Adam helps me train before big tournaments.
Fran: Why did you decide to pursue racquetball?
Sharon: I was naturally good at it and it kept me in shape for my other school sports. Now my school sports keep me in shape for racquetball!
Fran: When you are playing junior racquetball do you dream of turning pro and is that a goal you are pursuing in your life?
Sharon: Yes, I have entered a few pro tournaments and look forward to joining the pro tour after I finish high school. It has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I want to become #1 on the WPRO within the next 5 years!
Fran: Traveling the country and world playing racquetball is expensive…how do you do it financially, physically and mentally?
Sharon: The people in my community are very supportive and helped raise enough money for me to travel to Bolivia. I normally just go to local tournaments and instead of flying, we drive to the tournaments that are further away. I stay in shape by running, and use my other school sports, such as basketball, as cross training.
Fran: Tell us your road to winning your first High School Nationals and how do you plan on obtaining the highest ranking you can achieve?
Sharon: I have been practicing a lot since Worlds because I know I didn’t play my best and hated myself for losing in the quarterfinals. I felt like I let my team down, and I never want to do that again. I started practicing more than ever once we returned from Worlds, and I think I have improved tremendously. I just stayed focused the entire tournament and had one goal in mind: GOLD!
Fran: How long have you been a member of the Jr. National Racquetball Team and why do you continue to play?
Sharon: I was six years old when I played in my first Jr. Nationals, which was held in Wisconsin. This will be my twelfth Jr. Nationals. It is one of my favorite tournaments. I love getting to meet new people and hanging out with the friends I’ve made over the years as well as my boyfriend, Allan Crockett.
Fran: What is your record both in the Jr. and Adult Amateurs (Nationals and Worlds) as well as anything else?
Sharon: I placed second last year in Girls 18 & Under Singles. I am ranked first in Indiana for Women’s divisions (I have won the past 8 or 9 tournaments in a row that I have participated in). I lost in the quarterfinals to Denise Haynes in an 11-8 breaker this year in Bolivia, but I made it to the finals in singles and doubles last year (I won doubles)!
Fran: How do you maintain your competitive edge?
Sharon: I am a competitive person naturally. I even get mad if my mom beats me in ping pong!
Fran: You are one of the YOUNGEST players out there. How does that feel as you are the voice of the young talent coming up?
Sharon: I have never really thought about it like that. I have always looked up to people like Cheryl Guidinas Holmes and Rhonda Rajsich, but I never thought people would ever look up to me. I hope to get even better in the future. I want to be the youngest girl to win Adult Nationals.
Fran: How do you prepare for matches? For tournaments?
Sharon: I just go out there and play my game. I normally listen to music that calms me down because I always get really nervous. I try to stay focused during tournaments and not get caught up in all the drama that’s normally going around.
Fran: How was it when you captured your FIRST ever National Championship …how did you do it…how did it feel?
Sharon: I was eight years old when I won my first National Championship, so I don’t really remember that one. But I remember winning all three divisions two years ago when Jr. Nationals was in Michigan, and that felt amazing. I couldn’t believe it. I have worked my entire life to do that.
Fran: I know your Mother is very supportive and an instrumental part of your racquetball career…tell us about that if you’d like.
Sharon: My mom is always there for me. I think she’s only missed one tournament EVER! She helps me get to wherever I need to go whenever I need to. I remember before Worlds last year that she would take me down to Cincinnati, which is about an hour and a half away, on school nights just so we could practice (and it paid off!). I wouldn’t be here today writing this letter if it weren’t for her.
Fran: Is racquetball your only sport or do you do other things? If so what?
Sharon: I also play volleyball, basketball, and tennis. I have been All-County and All-Conference in all of these sports! I was MVP for tennis last year, and was the Stat-Leader for volleyball team… we haven’t had our basketball awards yet.
Fran: What advice would you give other “young girls” coming up through the junior ranks?
Sharon: Just keep working. The older girls are slacking on the USA team (including myself), and we need some fighters to bring the Gold back to the US.
Fran: What has motivated you to be the best you can be?
Sharon: God and my mom motivate me. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for both of them. God gave me many talents, and my mom gets me to all of these tournaments. I would hate to disappoint either one of them.
I also have a secret motivation. I had a crush on a boy and wanted to spend more time with him. I was jealous that he was on the USA Jr. Team and got to go to Mexico to play racquetball (Juarez, 2005). I started practicing almost everyday so I would be able to see him more, and the next fall at U.S. Open I won Women’s A 24/25. That next summer at the 2006 Jr. Nationals, I swept every division I played and won 16 & Under Girls Singles, 16 & Under Girls Doubles, and 18 & Under Mixed Doubles with my crush, and now long-term, long-distance boyfriend, Allan Crockett. This victory gave me a spot on the Jr. National Team. I improved tremendously and practiced daily all because I fell in love with a boy from Alabama. Nobody ever forced me to practice, and I think that’s why I love the sport so much. I have fun playing, and it’s excellent exercise too.
Fran:Who is your sponsor?
Sharon: Ektelon has provided great equipment and support through the years. I have enjoyed being part of the Ektelon Jr. Elite team.
Fran: Sharon, is there anything else you would like to share?
Sharon: Racquetball is my favorite sport because of all the different people I come in contact with. I have some really good friends and coaches that love, and I never would have gotten the experience to meet them if it hadn’t been for this sport. I also wouldn’t be dating a guy from Alabama, Allan, whom I love. I probably wouldn’t have been as successful at my other sports if it hadn’t been for racquetball, and I wouldn’t be going off to college at a school 500 miles away (the University of Alabama).
CONGRATULATIONS to Sharon as she will be going to the University of Alabama on a partial alumni leadership scholarship and will be a member of their racquetball team who just finished #2 at the 2008 National Intercollegiate Championships held in Overland Park, KS. Who knows, maybe Sharon will be the player that helps Alabama finish #1 next year….ONLY time will tell.
Thanks Sharon for taking the time to interview with me. I learned A LOT about you as a player and as a person that I didn’t know before and I am even more impressed now then I have ever been. I am glad we can share your success with the racquetball community as you are an inspiration to all those girls and women out there that play this WONDERFUL sport. Enjoy being the National High School Champion and I will see you in June at Jr. Nationals in Concord, CA to hopefully add another National Title to your career.
February 2008
Paola Longoria...Small, but Mighty!
In just 4 short years playing the WPRO Tour Paola storms to the top and wins her first Pro Stop in Fayetteville, NC September 14-16, 2007. She is the YOUNGEST player on the WPRO Tour to EVER accomplish this great feat and what a tremendous feat it is.
There is no question she is not only following her dream she is living it.
I have watched Paola for years on the International scene as she has been a member of the Jr. Mexican Racquetball Team for 7 years and a member of the Adult Mexican Racquetball Team for 3 years. I witnessed first-hand for all those years and saw how hard she played, how she handled competition and how she possessed the “eye of the tiger”. I think this is the very reason she is now living her dream.
Her record is astounding at the ripe young age of 18 years old:
*6 time consecutive Champion at Jr. Worlds
*2006 Pan-American Champion
*Central American Champion
*2006 National Champion singles and doubles
*7 times consecutives Jr. National Champion
*3rd place Pan American games in Chile
*Sportswoman of her State
*First Mexican Woman to win a pro stop
*6 time consecutive winner of the National Olympics
And she is NOT stopping here…it is full steam ahead. She is focused, determined, fierce and hungry to be the best she could be. Her goal is to be #1 ranked player on the WPRO Tour…watch out ladies.
Let’s meet this young lady up close and personal:
Fran: When, how and why did you start playing?
Paola: I began playing when I was 8 years old. My parents enrolled me in a summer sports camp which included racquetball. Of all the sports I LOVED racquetball the most. I began practicing racquetball more and more and then I asked my parents to enter me into a tournament and the rest is history.
Fran: Did you play other sports when you were younger?
Paola: Yes as a kid I was involved in many other sports like swimming, basketball, gymnastics, soccer and tennis and was a member of some teams competing in these sports, but as I said before the sport that I really loved the MOST was racquetball so I decided to focus only in this sport.
Fran: Early in your career you could not obtain a sponsor so how hard was that on you psychologically? How did you preserver? How did you stay mentally tough through these sponsor challenges?
Paola: Not having a sponsor was very difficult because in México the racquets are expensive and traveling to other countries was a financial burden too. My parents believed in me so they decided to incur the expenses in the beginning. As time went on and I improved and won tournaments I landed my first sponsor, E-Force. I knew in my heart of hearts if I trained hard, had a positive attitude and won tournaments I would get a sponsor to support me….I BELIEVED. Now my sponsors are Ektelon, One Shot, Python and the Mexican Federation and it makes playing allot less stressful.
Fran: You talked about training hard so how do you train and prepare for matches?
Paola: I try to train every day, but I have lots of homework I have to do so this prevents me from training as much as I’d like to. When I do train I dedicate time to the conditioning part of the game like running, the stair climber, etc , then I spend time on the technical parts of the game like particular shots, serves, return of serves, etc. and then I play with people at my club. Every time I step out on the court to practice and play I try to put my best efforts out there in the court so I am mentally sharpening my game.
Fran: When you were playing junior racquetball did you dream of turning pro and was that a goal you pursued all your life?
Paola: Yes not only did I dream of turning pro, but I dreamed of being #1 on the pro tour and I am setting one goal at a time to achieve that goal.
Fran: Now that you won your 1st pro stop please tell us how you plan on making your dream a reality of becoming #1 on the WPRO Tour?
Paola: I plan to obtain the # 1 ranking with allot of effort and allot of training. . I can feel it, taste it and see it and that is what keeps me training and working harder and harder on my game.
Fran: Even though your goal is to be #1 on the WPRO Tour do you plan to remain on the Mexican Racquetball Team?
Paola: I have been on the Mexican Racquetball Team for 3 years and on the Jr. Mexican Racquetball Team for 7 years and I feel very proud to be part of the Mexican Racquetball Team. I am honored to be defending the colors of my country in the court and I’m going to continue playing and competing for my country until my racquetball career ends. I just really love to play racquetball and represent my country in ALL of the tournaments.
Fran: How do you stay competitive? What is your secret?
Paola: I LOVE racquetball and I give 100% EVERY time I walk on the court which is how I live my life. I expect nothing less of myself than putting my best effort forward and fighting for every point.
Fran: What makes you win?
Paola: I know I can win when I play with a purpose.
Fran: How was it when you captured your FIRST ever Pro victory …how’d you do it…how did it feel?
Paola: AWESOME. I knew that all the hard training I did and having the desire to win paid off. I am going to continue working hard too so I can obtain more victories on the WPRO Tour.
Fran: I know your Father and Mother were very supportive and an instrumental part of your racquetball career…tell us about that if you’d like.
Paola: Yes my parents are really an important part of my life and I think that without their support that they have given me I couldn’t have achieved what I have achieved. They are always there for me in the good and bad times, all the time. They would always tell me what I did wrong and then I would try and correct myself
Fran: Who else has influenced you the most?
Paola: Two other people stand out in my mind, my brothers and my coach, Arturo Martin.
My brothers have always been interested in my racquetball career and they would always practice racquetball with me and help me out.
My coach, Arturo Martin, he is from Tijuana and on many occasions I went to Tijuana to train with him. I think he is a really great person and he has always thought me to fight in the court. We are in communication and I follow a training program that he gives to me.
Fran: What motivates you?
Paola: My family motivates me. Watching a pro player or reading about one motivates me. My favorite book is the book of Jordan because in this book there are all of the things that one player needs to be the best player he could be.
My trainings hard motivates me.
Fran: What advice would you give other “young girls” coming up through the junior ranks? If you want to be the best racquetball player you could be then you need to spend LOTS of time training and have a desire to improve. The best advice to all of the girls is continuing working hard to obtain their goals.
It was fun getting to know Paola and seeing why she has risen to the top of her game in such a short period of time. Her fierce competitive attitude and her hard work ethic will hopefully one day help her achieve her goal of being # 1 on the WPRO Tour.
Don’t under estimate Paola as she is “Small, but Mighty”.
Just remember it is within your reach too….GO FOR IT and ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
September 2007
Kerri Wachtel
Last season (2006-2007) Kerri finished #2 on the WPRO. How amazing is that after giving birth to twin daughters, Peyton and Quinn, in March 2006 -- just 18 months ago! Not only did Kerri come back, but she also took the tour by storm with 5 finals appearances and 2 titles out of 10 Tier 1 events. It was her BEST SEASON EVER on tour.
Now here are some of her stats…pretty IMPRESSIVE:
-Tour Victories 2001 US Open
2002 Ohio Pro Stop
2006 New York and Virginia Pro Stops
-Year End Rankings 2003/2004 #4
2004/2005 #4
2005/2006 #14 (year of pregnancy)
2006/2007 #2 (best year ever)
-US Team Member 1994, 2001, 2003-2007
After interviewing Kerri I now understand why she has the record she has and why she was able to accomplish such an amazing feat. Let me share with you her story…
Fran: Tell me about your career...when it started, amateur vs. pro and getting on the US Team.
Kerri: I started playing racquetball when I was 16 years old. I was a competitive tennis player for years and became burnt out. I went with my mom to Houston in 1992 to support her, and got the racquetball bug. After that tournament, we went to the club every day after school to practice. At the time, Ohio tournaments were huge. We would get 16 women in the open. I was very lucky to have that kind of competition so close. I made the US Team for the first time in 1994 after I won the Intercollegiates. I decided to dedicate more time to the pro tour after I made it all the way to the finals in Chicago in 2000 and lost to Cheryl Gudinas. I knew after that I could play with the best of them! Everything fell into place. Ektelon signed me that year, and I got a new job at a tennis country club running the entire racquet sports program. My boss used to coach Jim Courier so he gave me the flexibility to work out, play, and travel as long as I got my work done.
Fran: What about juggling your schedule with kids and everything?
Kerri: It is very hard for me to juggle my schedule because I am on the girls’ schedule. They need their naps, playtime, mealtime, etc. I usually work out for about 2 hours in the morning. They love the nursery at our gym so it is a win-win situation for me. When I travel, my parents take the girls on Thursday and Friday, and my husband picks them up on Friday after work, and he is with them all weekend. They sometimes travel with me but only if I have someone along. It would be too hard by myself. I have now found it more difficult to bring them because sometimes my match times don't fit into their schedule for naps, etc. We usually bring the pack-n-plays to the club. It's a lot of luggage!
Fran: What kind of support do you get from your husband and family?
Kerri: I couldn't do it without my husband, parents, and in laws, as they are there to support me. What makes me really focus at tournaments is the fact that I am away from my family. The only way to justify it is to play my best and win!
Fran: How do you train?
Kerri: I think I am in the best shape I have ever been in. I run, swim, and lift. I play racquetball about 4 times a week. I really think I have become much stronger because I push my jogging stroller with them in it 5 miles about 4 times a week! Basically, I like to break a sweat at least once a day. My motto is…”The harder you train, the greater your reward.”
Fran: What do you do physically, mentally, emotionally, etc?
Kerri: I found one of the best ways to mentally train is to keep a journal. I record each practice session: what time we played, what I wanted to work on, what the scores were. The journal helps me stay focused in practice because I don't want to loss to the guys I play. I also record the results of my pro matches. I found this very helpful because I might not play someone for a year and forget what works against him or her. I look in my journal and realize what serve to use, strengths, weaknesses, etc.
Fran: What are your thoughts on competition?
Kerri: Don’t ever give anything less than 100%. Think of all the people out there who would give any thing to have the opportunity to do what you do.
Fran: What makes you win?
Kerri: If you are a good person on and off the court, good things will happen to you in life.
As a coach, I am impressed with Kerri’s determination, desire, commitment, work ethic, mental and physical preparation and her positive attitude. But really I am more impressed with how she BALANCES her life of family and competition. Both of these feed her soul and make her VERY happy and fulfilled. She makes it all work…that is what’s so amazing. Kerri is quite the role model for more and more women who believe that just because they have a family it does not mean they cannot go after their dreams and make their dreams a reality. If you have the desire and determination and the support from your family and friends, everything and anything is possible.
Not only is Kerri living proof but so too are Brenda Kyzer (#6) and Diane Moore (#10). Look around you and see the women actresses, singers, athletes in other sports and politicians that have families but are successful because they followed their dream and created a healthy and balanced life with a lot of support both emotionally and physically.
Just remember it is within your reach too….GO FOR IT and ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
May 2007
Rhonda Rajsich
This article is very dear to me, as I have known Rhonda for over 15 years. I knew when I met Rhonda with her father, Dennis, at a one evening clinic I did for HEAD in Arizona in the late 1980’s she was going to be good, NO GREAT. Even way back then I saw she had the eye of the tiger…she was determined, a fighter, hungry to compete, and had a great spirit. I lived on the East Coast at the time so working with Rhonda was sporadic and it was not as often as we would have liked it to be. I knew then that beating her was short lived. Rhonda and I continued to build a friendship and have become good friends over the years. We have had our best talks hiking up Squaw Peak, a hike in Phoenix, AZ we do every time I am in town. I have the utmost respect for her on and off the court.
Just like Sudsy and Jason, Rhonda began playing racquetball at the age of 2. Her mom and dad joined a health club and would take her to the club and she remembers just getting on the court as often and for as long as she could in-between her father’s games. It was love at first sight for her. Her dad continued to expose her to racquetball and when she was old enough she hit the Junior Tournaments and all else is history.
Rhonda did NOT have an easy road and was virtually without a financial sponsor for most of her entire racquetball career until last year when Ektelon signed her. She could have quit several times over, but thank goodness for her father as he financially supported her throughout her junior career as well as a large portion of her adult career. He believed in her like I did, but more importantly she believed in herself.
Rhonda is undoubtedly the most athletic and entertaining woman to watch. She’s brought excitement back into the women’s game and thrills crowds no matter where she goes. Rhonda is dominating women’s racquetball right now. Just 2 weeks ago, May 4-6, she won the WPRO Pro Nationals which brought her tour wins to 4 Tier 1 and 3 Satellite events just this year alone. In April, just last month, in Santiago, Chile she represented the US Team and won both the Women’s Singles and Doubles titles. Memorial Day weekend Rhonda is going to Houston, TX to defend her Nationals Singles title she won last year. I can go on and on, but her credentials speak for themselves:
- US Open 2003
- Pro Nationals 2007
- Nationals in Houston 2004, 2006
- Been on the US Team since 2000 off and on either through singles or doubles or WPRO ranking
- What titles have you won being on the US team ....the majors!
- USA and Women's Team titles in Bolivia 2002
- US and Women’s Team titles in Korea 2004
- US and Women’s Team titles in Dominican Republic 2006
- US and Women’s Team titles in Chile 2007
- 1st in WO singles and doubles in Chile 2007
- #1 WPRO ranking 05/06, 06/07...2 seasons back to back
Let’s take a look at some of the questions I asked Rhonda as to how she has accomplished her #1 ranking:
- Competitive Edge
- Fran asked...
”How do you maintain your competitive edge?”
- Rhonda answered...
“I don’t really know how not to. I’m just so competitive by nature I don’t know how to give any less than 100%. Even when I may not be playing my best ball, I have never and will never walk away from a match feeling like I should’ve given more effort. Sometimes I can’t control my off days, nor can I control some questionable calls by a ref, but I am always in control of my effort.”
- Motivation
- Fran asked...
“What motivates you?
- Rhonda answered...
“I have many many motivations…but I guess one of the biggest is my personal goal to make this game a world-wide sensation. It’s like a powder keg just waiting to explode, and I want to lead that charge as hard as I can. I want to show the world what it’s been missing.”
- Motivation
- Fran asked...
“What motivates you?”
- Angela answered...
“To become the #1 player in the world one day…sometimes I feel I am running out of time and I didn’t take the advantages that I had to climb faster in the ranking, especially being in 4 finals and only winning 1 in the last seasons. I want to have a family soon and that also is a motivation, in the sense that before I do that I want to finish my racquetball career as # 1.”
- Believe in Yourself and Have Fun
- Fran asked...
”What advice would you give our “young girls” coming up through the junior ranks?”
- Rhonda answered...
“Believe in yourself. Court skills will come in time, as will success, but to believe in yourself is the greatest asset you’ll have, and it cannot be taught. And above all have fun!! This is a great game, and it should always be fun!”
- Preparation
- Fran asked...
“You are defending your National Singles title coming up at the end of this month how are you preparing for it?”
- Rhonda answered...
“I’m really just continuing to work on my game on the court, and training hard off the court. I plan to play some tough warm-up matches in addition to working hard with my trainer between our Pro Nationals in New Orleans and Houston. I love the vibe of the Houston tournament. I can feel a great energy at that event, and I can’t wait to play hard and have fun in H-Town.”
- Dedicated/Determined/Desire
- Fran asked...
”When did you begin playing?”
- Rhonda answered...
“I started when I was 17. I had forbidden practicing any sport, even gym at school for 5 years and I was sick of that!! I had always been very hyperactive and because of an injury in my two knees, suddenly I was the most inactive person. So when a friend invited me to play racquetball (his Dad used to carry the Pro Kennex racquets to Chile) I went and never stop. We used to go before university started, like 6 in the morning. We got really fanatic. I had played tennis since I was 4 years old until I was 12, so I had a feeling with racquets and started doing good in the local tourneys, then made the National Team and now here I am as a pro!”
- Support
- Fran asked...
“Who was and is your mentor”?
- Rhonda answered...
“My father. He has been behind me all the way, in every way, no matter where I have been in my career. But even deeper than that, my family history and my last name are very powerful driving forces in my success. It’s literally in my blood to compete and be the best I can be at everything I do. My mother has also been very supportive and encouraging throughout my life. She is and always will be my “#1 Fan!”
- Getting Started
- Fran asked...
When, how and why did you start playing?
- Rhonda answered...
“I first began playing when I was just 2. My parents had joined a health club not far from our house and I was supposed to entertain myself in the nursery. I’d find a way to slip out and grab a basketball and play around with that until my father was between racquetball games. Then I’d steal his racquet and run into the court and hit around as long as I could, till I’d have to give him his racquet back so he could play his next game. It all started way back then, and that is essentially what I have done throughout my life, for love of two games.”
- Goal of Turning Pro
- Fran asked...
“When you were playing junior racquetball did you dream of turning pro and was that a goal you pursued all your life?”
- Rhonda answered...
“I did. I feel very fortunate to have had all of the role models, male and female, that I have looked up to and have taken bits and pieces from their games to develop my own. That’s another thing that is so incredible and so rare about this game—that I get to play with and against my childhood heroes.”
- Racquetball vs. Basketball
- Fran asked...
“You had a scholarship to play college basketball and a chance to go pro, why did you decide to give that up to pursue racquetball?”
- Rhonda answered...
“Certain events just unfolded at a time of transition for me, and it was almost like a calling to switch up my priorities. For years I had put racquetball behind basketball, knowing that my education and potential pro career depended on my hoop skills. I still loved and played racquetball as often as possible, and always tried to make the big ones (Nationals, National Doubles, Jr. Nationals, Jr. Worlds, etc), but basketball took up nearly my entire year. When the time came to go into the WNBA, I had, almost accidentally, qualified for the adult US Team for the first time, then not long after that the birth of a brand new women’s tour, the LPRA, was announced. I felt like I wanted to see what I could do in this game if I actually applied myself and gave it my all. After taking out the #1 player in the world at the time (Jackie Paraiso) and making it to the finals of my first US Open, and finishing up my rookie season at #4 in the world, I thought, “yeah, I can do this for a while!”
- Getting to #1 and Sustaining #1
- Fran asked...
“Tell us your road to being #1 and how do you plan on sustaining the #1 ranking?”
- Rhonda answered...
“It’s certainly been a long one!! I truly don’t feel that my game style has really changed at all, but I’m doing things that I have never done before that make it easier to play at a higher level on a more consistent basis. Four major factors that I introduced into my life between finishing #3 and #1 were Advocare supplements, physical maintenance, my new trainer, and a very supportive sponsor. The Advocare supplements have enabled me to get more out of my training and help fill the nutritional gaps that even a great diet can leave. My massage therapist in California, Luisa, has identified and worked on some problem areas that I was previously unaware of. Along with the chiropractor that she works with, Dr. J, they have put me back together. Until that time, I didn’t know what it was like to play without pain, nor did I realize how much I was compensating for these physical strains throughout my body. My trainer, Jim (Fun2BFit), introduced me to a new style of training that has made me so much stronger and quicker. My body is now able to perform where my mind wants it to without fatigue or injury, no matter how long or intense the competition. Between these two, I have probably added a good 15 years of high-level ball to my career. And finally, Ektelon has been amazing in their support and belief in me. They have absolutely helped me focus on what I need to be #1, and taken much of the worry and distractions out of the job. Ektelon has made a huge difference in my journey to the top. I plan on staying here as long as I can through continued hard work and more detailed training to go even further. I’ve also started working with Jim Winterton, fine-tuning my game and taking advantage of my athletic abilities, rather than using it to do things the hard way. I feel as though I’m just getting started, and I have a long road ahead of me and many more goals to reach while at the top.”
- Playing for the US
- Fran asked...
“You have been a LONG time member of the US Team…how long and why do you continue to play…just winning a title in Chile?”
- Rhonda answered...
“Call me old-fashioned, but I am honored to represent my country in this game. I still hold hope to wear USA on my back in the Olympics, and I hope that these international events will lead to and be stepping stones to that ultimate goal. As for Chile, that was probably my favorite Team trip so far. The city was incredible! The people were great, the food was outstanding, and the courts hit very well. The conditions were as ideal as I could imagine for me to personally feel so comfortable and play well.”
In my opinion this clearly shows why Rhonda has been the #1 ranked player on the WPRO Tour for the last 2 seasons. She has what it takes to be a champion:
- -The competitive edge of NEVER giving any less than 100% is key…and she has that covered.
- -Hermotivation to make this game a worldwide sensation is incredible and she won’t stop until it is completed. She is willing to do what ever it takes to get the job done.
- -Being believing in yourself and having fun is what she preaches…that is a winning formula.
- -Preparation is key to being consistent and confident…and she has that covered.
- -Having a support team of her father, mother and family is incredible and a very important part of the formula to being successful…and she has that covered hands down.
- -Starting earlyat the ripe age of 2 years old gives you an edge not many people have. She is in good company with other champions like Jason Mannino and Sudsy Monchik.
- -Having a Goal of turning pro all of your life and then striving to reach that goal gives you the good work ethic to make that dream a reality…Rhonda did.
- -Being passionate about your sport and living out your dream is what Rhonda did when she consciously chose racquetball over basketball. She never looked back once….it was full steam ahead.
- -Making the changes necessary in her training, her preventive care, her supplements, her sponsor and her coach made a tremendous difference as she went from #3 to #1,
- -Playing for the US Team has given her a sense of pride, which I believe is an important element to being the best.
After reading this article I think you can all learn some VERY valuable tips from Rhonda on how to become a champion. The very same elements discussed here is what I teach and advocate at my camps and with my students year round to help them reach their goals. I hope you all join in with me and wish Rhonda the best in defending her National Singles Title in Houston over the Memorial Day weekend and in pursuing the #1 WPRO ranking for the 2007/2008 season.
March, 2007
Coach's Corner for Women
I have been involved in racquetball for the past 30 years and have been in every aspect of the sport from a professional/amateur player, to a racquetball/program director, to a manager of a club, to working for a major manufacture of the industry AMF Voit, to a professional coach/teacher/clinician, and for the past the 25 years I have been the National Promotions Coordinator for HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports. What a career I am having in racquetball.
My heart has and always will be in growing the sport with an EXTRA bright light for women. What better arena then here. It is a way for me to give back to a sport that has been more than good to me. Racquetball has been a huge part of my adult life and I consider it my second family.
At the present time I travel the world conducting the most successful camp series called, “Building Your Racquetball Dream House”, with my partner Jason Mannino. We also produced the most comprehensive video in the world called, “Building Your Racquetball Dream House”, which covers every aspect of the game.
I also coach and teach professionally….
One of my greatest moments was being court side coaching Jason Mannino and experiencing him electrifying the crowds on his way to becoming the 2006 U.S. Open Champion, the most prestigious event of the year.
Just as exciting as it is working with Jason and seeing his game grow and develop it is just as exciting for me to work with my 2 juniors, Taylor Knoth and Devon Pimentelli, who are both National Champions many times over in their respective age groups as well as they just took home the Silver Medal at the 2006 Jr. World Championships. Also, Taylor just won the 2007 H.S. Nationals this past weekend, March 2-4 in St. Louis, MO.
Be rest assured that I use the same techniques coaching and teaching Jason, Taylor and Devon that I use in my camps, my private lessons, my clinics, my video and in all my articles I write.
When Shannon Feaster, the WPRO Commissioner, and I discussed developing a column for the WPRO website I decided I wanted to do something a little bit different. I wanted to have a theme while sharing my ideas, philosophies and teaching techniques to women. My column, “Coach's Corner for Women” will bring to you some really interesting topics using the women on the WPRO. Here are some examples:
- Rhonda Rajsich …her climb to the top and how she overcame the struggles and adversities along the way.
- Christie Van Hees…after not playing the tour for over a year how could she come back and win the 2006 U.S. Open Championships?
- Kerri Wachtel…after giving birth to twins she is playing the best racquetball ever. Coming back after pregnancy is VERY real.
- WPRO is thriving…Finally a place for the Jr. Girls to aspire to. What does it take to become a pro?
- Fran Davis…makes a 100% living in racquetball…how does she do it?
- Etc., etc., etc…
I am also encouraging YOU to write in to the WPRO website-wproinfo@aol.com with suggestions of topics you would like to hear about, learn about and know about. This column is for YOU and I want to hear from YOU.
I CANNOT wait to get started…see you April 1stfor our premier column.
