been busy last couple days but a bit surprised no one has posted earlier on the ongoing JrNationals here in Minneapolis. First off, UofMinnesota is a very good facility ...10 glass back court all together in double-row (court on each side) ... lots of viewing and interaction ... plus a couple other spill over courts at the end.

Some of todays great matches are Marco Rojas over Brad Schopieray in 2 close games ... Kelani Bailey over Devon Pimettelli in 16 girls final ... Kelani is very strong. Right now Taylor Knoth and Nick Montelbano are having a war (boys 18) ... don't know the scores but Nick has been playing a very good tourney ... Aubrey OBrien vs Danielle Key on the other side ... Aubrey looking good there (girls 18).

Lots of great matches and the kids are very respectful and doing their best reffing even though there are some parent hecklers :) I'm off to see the Mall of America for a bit then back to see my daughter and Kelani Bailey play the 16 girls dub final vs Devon and Courtney Chisolm.

Not sure if there is other coverage anywhere but there is a daily Michigan Mafia newsletter going around ...

Thanks Spides!

Just saw Brad Kirch and Nick Montalbano take out Joe Lee and Dylan Reid 11-0 in the breaker ... Kirch is playing on a different level, I'm taking him over Knoth in the final. Congrats to the Chisolm-Pimettelli team on winning the 16 girls dubs.

Brad's the real deal. Great athlete and great kid

Love being able to read the daily. . thanks!

Brad didn't win gold as he lost a tight one to Marco Rojas today (which wold have put him into the finals and on the USA Team) ... but he did win the USAR Jr Sportsman of the Year Award at the banquet tonite ... among other things, he called an avoidable on himself during that match ... awesome kid. Coach Kelly Beane made some poignant comments about fair play in describing Brad (and other similar athletes) ... in that how can some people live with themselves when they win a title or match by not making the right calls (often on themselves) or act in a non-sportsmanship manner.

Noticed at the Junior Nationals only 154 participants, would think this is an all tie low number for participation. Also, did not see a 6 and under division.

I talked to some people about the low numbers ... I know for sure some families couldn't make it due to the econcomy ... I also thought that maybe one reason was that Minnesota is not a hotbed for racquetball to you'd get less "local players" ie wisc, NS Dak, Iowa, NE ... so if JrNats was in CA you're local states would be OR, AZ, NM ... dunno but would be interesting to see how the state differentials match up yr by yr and st venue by st venue.

And during the banquet ... there was 1 6yr acknowledged as the youngest player at the tourney ... from WI.

just got these in today from Michigan Mafia Don ... last couple days MI newsletters ...

hahahaha....I had a great time last week, our Michigan kids did great. As some of you may know there has been some challenges with the venue for next year, one of the clubs we hoped to use is closing, which puts quite a wrinkle in things. We don't want to make any kind of statement or speculation on the location until all of the pieces of the puzzle are locked down.
This tournament is unique as it has 3 legs to the chair so to speak, the actual site or sites the matches are played, the USAR, and the local organizing committee, all of which must interact. As soon as I know I will post it here and hopefully provide a link to the main information page.