After a two-year hiatus, the 2022 National Intercollegiate Championships wrapped up yesterday in Tucson, Arizona, with the University of Missouri taking the Team title. Eighty-eight players from thirteen colleges vied for the coveted title of Intercollegiate Champion.

The team standings were tight all weekend, but in the end, Mizzou brought home their first-ever Team title, with Brigham Young University (BYU) taking second and Oregon State rounding out the top three. The top three Women’s teams were Missouri, University of the Pacific, and BYU. Only 60 points separated the top three Men’s teams, with only four points separating 1^st and 2^nd: University of Missouri, BYU, and Oregon State University (OSU).

University of Missour

BYU Racquetball Team

Oregon State Racquetball Team

The Finals

The Women’s Doubles final pitted Alondra Canchola and Annie Roberts (University of the Pacific) against Kate Zawalski and Abby LaChance (University of Missouri). Canchola and Roberts took control of the match from the beginning, taking the title in two games, 15-2, 15-2.

Alondra Canchola and Annie Roberts take the Women's #1 Doubles title and 2nd place Women's Team Title

The Men’s Doubles final had Ariel Tito and Samuel Lazcano Ramirez (Colorado State University-Pueblo) taking on Ben Baron and Arthur Schmeiser (Northern Arizona University). Tito and Lazcano Ramirez took the first game, 15-6, but Baron and Schmeiser fought back, winning the second game, 5-15, and forcing the tiebreaker. With the support of their team reverberating through the courts, NAU pulled out the win, 11-3.

Arthur Schmiser and Ben Baron win the Men's #1 Doubles Title and the NAU Men's Team takes 3rd

The Women’s #1 Singles final came down to Annie Roberts (University of the Pacific) vs. Shane Diaz (Northeast Lakeview College). In front of a packed crowd, Roberts won the match, 15-4, 15-6. Throughout the game, Roberts hit drive serves to the back left corner, putting Diaz on the defense. In the second game, Roberts found a wall-hugging second serve, making return difficult for Diaz.

Annie Roberts and Mike Wedel shake hands

The Men’s #1 Singles final featured Arizona’s own Ben Baron (NAU) against Ariel Tito (CSU-Pueblo) with Tito winning in two games, 15-9, 15-3. “My coach told me to play smart, and I didn’t make many mistakes,” said Tito said. In just his freshman year, Tito took home the title of Intercollegiate Champion.

Mike Wedel and Ariel Tito

Intercollegiate Coach of the Year Award

The National Intercollegiate Coach of the Year was awarded to Dr. Jim Hiser, who is retiring after 34 years of coaching CSU-Pueblo’s team. In an emotional acceptance speech, Hiser said he first began coaching at the University of Michigan and that Intercollegiates was always his favorite tournament because of the athletes.

Jim Hiser

All-Americans Named

Forty-eight All-American designations were awarded to the top four in each Singles division and the top two in Doubles.

Ariel	Tito
Samuel	Lazcano Ramirez
Daniel	West
Bryce	Johnson
Garrison	Walker
Trevor	Melton
Bryce	Palmer
Jesus	Galvan
Larry	Ninh
Nathan	Ellmo
Jeremy	Dixon
John	Dowell
Ben	Baron
Arthur	Schmeiser
James	Storgion
Cody	Boucher
Johnny	Greenberg
Robert	Griffin
Will	Neunreiter
Evan	Keener
Paul	Morris
Alex	Briegleb
Blaize	Britton
Cade	Hyde
Foster	Kirsch
Megan	Curran
Molly	McClanahan
Kate	Gammon
Megan	Skinner
Annie	Roberts
Shane	Diaz
Julia	Stein
Kate	Zawalski
Alondra	Canchola
Faith	Malek
Katterlea	MacGregor
Rebekah	Barney
Kelsey	MacDonald
Maddie	Fitcher
Elisa	Padilla
Abby	LaChance
Jessica	Hyland
Jenna	Heaton
Chloe	Hilsenteger
Ashlyn	Bell
Natalie	Faulkner
Darlene	Maitem
Sadie	Barham

All-American Intercollegiate Group Shot

USA Racquetball would like to thank Penn and Visit Tucson for sponsoring the tournament, as well as Talty Bar, APS Nike, Rollout, and Ashaway. Along with our sponsors, a big thanks to Renee Sitter and the staff at the Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club for hosting our grand return to Intercollegiates. USA Racquetball has amazing contractors who help put on the tournament including Jazmin Trevino who kept the tournament running ahead of schedule, Debi Wedel, and Leo Vasquez who figured out a way to get the games streamed despite some challenges. Thanks to our official photographer Dylan Shoemaker (IG: @thefittestphotographer).

For a complete list of results, please visit: https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/viewResults.asp?TID=38237

Photos courtesy of Dylan Shoemaker

THE RETURN OF INTERCOLLEGIATES - MIZZOU CAPTURES TOP TEAM HONORS!

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