USA Racquetball Leadership Update – Q1 2026

USA Racquetball Leadership Update – Q1 2026

This update is a one-stop shop on informational talking points anyone can use when someone says, “Why should I be a member of USA Racquetball?” or  “What does USA Racquetball do for our sport?” We are pleased to offer this first quarter update on how we––the Board members, Committee members, and numerous volunteers––have been occupying our time these first three months of the year in support of USA Racquetball members coast to coast.

BOARD ACTIVITY

Three monthly Board meetings were conducted where significant accomplishments were realized in key areas including but not limited to:

The Board approved the formation of a High Performance Commission that will include development of a USA Racquetball Standardized Training System designed to deliver a junior-to-adult pathway to international performance excellence.

USA Racquetball has entered into an agreement with USA Sports Benefits that will assist any USA Racquetball member who desires help navigating the ACA marketplace. This service will have a dedicated phone number that will walk people through insurance procurement processes, i.e. finding the best coverage for the most economical cost. Watch for launch details coming soon.

NATIONAL EVENTS

These indoor and outdoor national events are in the books – Indoor, High Schools, Intercollegiates, and 3WALLBALL Beach Bash.

National Indoor (ASU in Tempe) was the U.S. Team Qualifier that formed the 2026-27 U.S. Team (June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027). Congratulations to the qualifying athletes: Jake Bredenbeck, Sam Bredenbeck, Daniel De La Rosa, Adam Manilla, DJ Mendoza, Michelle Andersen, Sheryl Lotts, Annie Sanchez, Erika Manilla, and Lexi York.

Congratulations to Kirkwood High School (overall winner) and to the High School Singles Champions Grant Williams (MO) and Andrea Perez-Picon (CA) who were crowned in St. Louis at National High Schools in late February.

At Intercollegiates in Minneapolis (March), Cole Sendrey (TX) and Ava Kaiser (MO) captured the Singles titles. Kudos to Brigham Young University (men’s title), Oregon State University (women’s title), and Oregon State University (overall winner).

In March, the Eve Promotions 3WallBall Beach Bash in Hollywood, Florida, named the following top-level winners: MS1 - Jhonatan Flores, MD1 – Javier Mar/Rodrigo Montoya, WD1 – Michelle Andersen/Anita Maldonado, and MXD 1 – Aimee Roehler/Javier Mar.

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

Seven U.S. Team athletes (2025-26 roster) competed at the Pan American Racquetball Championships (March 27-April 4) in Guatemala City – Jake Bredenbeck, Sam Bredenbeck, Thomas Carter, Erik Garcia, Michelle Andersen, Lexi York, and Annie Sanchez.

COMMITTEES / WORKING GROUPS

February: The Hall of Fame/Awards Committee worked diligently to induct two new Hall of Fame members for the Class of 2026 – Rhonda Rajsich and Scott Winters – and to identify and recognize Annual Award winners at the February 14^th ceremony: Jake Bredenbeck, Naomi Ros, Susie Boulanger, Tyrone Gilmore, and Terry Rogers.

March: The Scholarship Working Group announced five recipients of $1,000 scholarships: Amelia Bennett, Emily Ellison, Sumayya Khaja, Stella Ortwerth, and Roman Ray.

March: The Election Committee’s work going back to last October culminated in the Board of Directors election that named two new Board members who will be seated at the conclusion of the May Annual Board Meeting – Juan Carlos Canals and Alexxander Purcell.

IN OTHER NEWS...

A postponement of the US OPEN was announced in February due to flooding damage at Missouri State University. However, the upside is that the event has been rescheduled for June 10-14, 2027, according to Jeff Collins, US OPEN Executive Director.

Did you know? USA Racquetball hosts an informational quarterly Zoom call for State Presidents, State Board Members, and Tournament Directors, and any USA Racquetball member is welcome to join! As of this writing, January 6 and April 7 calls took place and were recorded. The next call is July 7. Please contact Jonathan Greenberg at jonathan@usaracquetball.com to place your email address on the distribution list. Thanks to Cindy Tilbury for taking the lead on organizing the calls!

HELP WANTED

With the closing of Splathead and much gratitude to Joe Hall (an incredible sponsor) for fully funding uniforms for the past three years, USA Racquetball, in support of our Junior Team USA athletes and their families, is searching for a new Junior Team uniform sponsor/supplier. This could be a uniform supplier who wishes to step in and/or perhaps it’s a benefactor who is willing to make a sizeable donation to help cover the families’ expenses as we engage a new supplier. We will be thrilled to talk with parties who might help us navigate this post-Splathead challenge. (Thanks again, Joe, for everything!)

GOING FORWARD

Here we are in late April now, and two events will be receiving priority attention in May/June:

The USA Racquetball Board of Directors Annual Meeting in mid-May (look for a recap in the May issue of Serving Up the News).

The USAR National Junior Championships, June 24-28, at the Wellmark YMCA in Des Moines, Iowa. Karen Grisz, who heads up the Junior Working Group, asks anyone who wishes to become a sponsor of the event (several levels are available) to contact her at ktracquetball@gmail.com. We could also use a few good men and women to help out at the tournament. Nothing––well, practically nothing––warms a racquetball player’s heart more than to contribute firsthand to the next generation of our sport!

Sincerely,

Your USA Racquetball Board of Directors

USA Racquetball