Juniors Weigh In As They Prepare for the Des Moines National Juniors
by USA Racquetball
In anticipation of the return to competition at the National Junior Championships in Des Moines, July 14-18, four of our very accomplished junior players––Timmy Hansen, Heather Mahoney, Nikhil Prasad, and Annie Roberts––share their perspectives on some questions that delve into their racquetball accomplishments, what’s been going on with them, how they’ve adapted to uncertainty, and what they’re most looking forward to as the time to depart for Des Moines approaches!
Timmy Hansen, 18, Wellington, Florida
# of times competed at IRF World Juniors
I have competed at World Juniors three times: 2014 Cali, Colombia (2nd place 10 and under Blue division); 2018 San Luis Potosi, Mexico (1st place 16 doubles, 3rd place 16 singles) , and 2019 San José, Costa Rica (2nd place 16 doubles, 3rd place 16 singles).
What has the past year been like for you since there weren’t any National or International Events?
The past year since no major tournaments and few regular tournaments has been kind of weird since I have been traveling for tournaments about 3x a year since 2011. I would go to National Singles, National Doubles, Junior Nationals, and the US OPEN every year and medal in most of the divisions I play. I took a break from Racquetball for a few months and then started practicing and getting back into the rhythm in November. When I took a break I just would hang out with my friends and go to the beach. Also I have been on top of my schoolwork to get ready for college later this fall in Tallahassee, Florida.
How have you had to adapt in order to prepare for this coming event?
In order to be ready for Junior Nationals, I have been working with my Coach Jeff Leon at least once a week, playing with my normal racquetball crew twice a week, and playing singles once a week with Jonathan Burns, one of the top open players in Florida.
What are you most looking forward to about this event and competing again?
I’m really looking forward to seeing my friends and coaches from all over the country that I have not seen in almost two years. I also am excited to have a chance at making the US Junior Team again and possibly going to Worlds later on this year.
Heather Mahoney, 17, Penngrove, California
# of times competed at IRF World Juniors
2019, Costa Rica, 14 & Under
2018, Mexico, 14 & Under
2017, Minnesota, 12 & Under
2016, Mexico, 12 & Under
2015, 10U, Dominican Republic, 10 & Under
2014, Colombia, 10 & Under
What has the past year been like for you since there weren’t any National or International Events?
Every summer I always look forward to competing at Nationals and also seeing all my friends from other states. I have competed in Nationals every year since 2013 and Worlds since 2014, so not being able to play for a year felt a bit empty. Although feeling a bit isolated, since I didn't have indoor courts open, I still found a way to engage in racquetball by playing outdoor with my dad for a while.
How have you had to adapt in order to prepare for this coming event?
I had to adapt by training in outdoor racquetball for a while and also practicing with the rebounder. Social distance soccer training also helped keep up my athleticism. Since courts have opened now, I am happy to be training regularly at the club.
What are you most looking forward to about this event and competing again?
I am looking forward to being able to compete with friends and finally getting to see all the players and coaches that I haven't seen for a year.
Nikhil Prasad, 16, Fremont, California
# of times competed at IRF World Juniors
2016 - San Luis Potosí , Mexico
2017 - Minneapolis, USA
2018 - San Luis Potosí, Mexico
2019 - San José, Costa Rica
What has the past year been like for you since there weren’t any National or International Events?
The past year has been the most stagnant year for me as an athlete. Going into lockdown, I took COVID-19 very seriously and didn't go out or do much. Gyms closed and at the beginning of quarantine I was working out regularly and going on runs until I had an injury that put me out for about two months. Thankfully I recovered pretty quickly but my conditioning did reduce slightly due to having less drive because there were no tournaments. My mentality became, "If there are no tournaments, what do I have to train for? What is the point of training for something that isn't even going to happen?" Truthfully the beginning of quarantine was mainly me being unproductive and not keeping my body in tournament shape. Towards the middle (summer) I started to play tennis with some of my school friends. When school officially started I played varsity tennis for my school, that being my main source of my physical conditioning. With the announcement of Nationals, I started my preparation for the tournament.
How have you had to adapt in order to prepare for this coming event?
Life as a whole has been changed and the biggest thing is to understand that this is our life now. There is no "returning to normal.” This is our normal. That's the mentality that has been the hardest for people to understand. Once you understand that, you automatically adapt because you don't have the expectation of something else. The idea that life was/could be different is eradicated, allowing you to focus and achieve your goals. It took me a while to understand that, and it was the reason why I slacked off towards the beginning of quarantine. Once I understood that, it changed my mentality, allowing me to adapt to the unusual circumstances and focus on training for Nationals.
What are you most looking forward to about this event and competing again?
Competing brings out the best in me. It doesn't matter what it is, competing makes me, me. There is no Nikhil without a competitive spirit. I've always been the youngest kid to challenge people twice my size, people 100x more skilled than me, people who even I knew would make me look like a fool if I went up against them. But to me that didn't matter. I remember going to the Junior National Camp in Colorado. I was only 13 years old, the youngest player there, and I challenged just about every single player, coaches included. I remember challenging Charlie Pratt, our head coach, and even took a game off of him. He changed the ball and gave me a lesson right after that, but I'm going to forever blame the next game loss (rather, humiliation) all because he changed the ball LOL. Charlie btw this is me calling you out again for a rematch. I want that win over you.
This Junior Nationals event as a whole just allows this competitive side of me to come out, triggering emotions that can only become apparent in tournaments of this caliber. Personally, I'm most excited to feel my emotions when I step into the court again and do what I love.
Annie Roberts, 19, Gresham, Oregon
# of times competed at IRF World Juniors
I have competed at the IRF World Juniors three times: 2017 Minneapolis USA, 2018 San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and 2019, San José, Costa Rica.
What has the past year been like for you since there weren’t any National or International Events?
This last year has definitely changed the way I approached and thought about training. In the past three years, training had completely revolved around the National/International tournament schedule. However, without those tournaments (and even without courts at times), it really challenged my determination and patience to keep practicing even though I did not know when I would be competing next.
How have you had to adapt in order to prepare for this coming event?
One way that I have had to adapt to prepare for this event is by narrowing my focus only to how I can improve my own game and be a better doubles teammate no matter how event schedules or training resources change.
What are you most looking forward to about this event and competing again?
Looking forward to this event, I am most excited to reconnect with all of the great Junior players that I have had the opportunity to know over the years! Also, I am looking forward to the great competitive atmosphere and intensity that all of my competitors bring to our matches in singles and doubles!
USA Racquetball thanks these four athletes for sharing their thoughts, and for everyone who comes to Des Moines, we wish you good luck, a lot of fun, and a wonderful reunion with Racquetball Family!