Junior Athletes from the Golden State Played for Team USA at World Juniors!
by Brian Dixon, CNRA Junior Director
The California Nevada Racquetball Association (CNRA) has always taken pride in the Junior players who attend the annual USA Racquetball Junior National Championships and those who then qualify for Junior Team USA. To qualify, a player must place in the top two in singles or top team in doubles (gender and mixed) at the Junior National Championships. In 2022, California was well represented with 10 players and their entourages making the trip to Guatemala for the World Championships.
Five team members (Eshan Ali, Cody Elkins, Vaishant Mangalampalli, Nathan Rykhus, and Aarya Shetty) have previously been highlighted by USA Racquetball in Serving Up the News and this article highlights the remaining five players. Players were asked about their Worlds experience as well as other parts of their Racquetball (and non-Racquetball) life.
These players include Alejandro (aka Alex) whose enthusiasm for the sport is contagious with a family that is so supportive of his thrill for the game. Sarah is fairly new to the competition but is being coached by one of the great past juniors, Aubrey (O’Brien) Kirch. This no doubt has 10Xed her growth and desire to play the game. There is Andrea, who is Alejandro’s sister. She was once the master of the two-handed shot but is now the master of the one-handed shots. Paul has an intensity on the court, while off of the court he is mellow and always there to support fellow players. Heather is a 4-time Junior World Champion (10-, 12-, and 14- singles plus 14- doubles), and she is always good for a few amazing gets. Heather was also on her high school varsity soccer team from 9th-12th grade.
Players are listed in order of age. Please enjoy their comments below.
Alejandro (Alex) Robles Picon
Age: 11
City: Manteca
School: Stella Brockman - 6th grade
What division(s) did you play at the World Championships and what were the results: Boys 10 and under singles, I got 2nd place in the gold division. Boys 12 and under doubles, we got to the quarterfinals.
What did representing the USA and California mean to you? Representing USA and California meant to me that I wasn’t just playing for myself, I was playing for USA and California! I played my hardest to represent my country and state.
Were there any experiences other than Racquetball you had in Guatemala? Yes, I went to the zoo, saw the volcano, and made friends.
How old were you when you started playing Racquetball? 2
Do you have any coaches you would like to acknowledge? My mom is my one and only coach, I love her. She has been my coach my whole life.
Do you have interests/hobbies outside of Racquetball? I like to play Basketball.
Who are your family members, pets etc.? Dad: Eleazar Robles, Mom: Rosa Picon, Siblings Jose Benjamin Perez Picon, Estefania Perez Picon, Andrea Perez Picon. Pets: Joy is my cat and my dogs are Coco and Yogi. My horse is Betty.
Any additional comments? I want to be a professional racquetball player and #1 in the world.
Sarah Bawa
City: Rocklin
School: Granite Oaks Middle School - 7th grade
What division(s) did you play at the World Championships and what were the results: 12 and under doubles (bronze medal), 12 and under singles (no medal)
What did representing the USA and California mean to you? It made me proud to represent my family, my state, and my country on the world stage.
Were there any experiences other than Racquetball you had in Guatemala? We had a great time visiting the Guatemala City Zoo and Antigua.
How old were you when you started playing Racquetball? 12
Do you have any coaches you would like to acknowledge? My coach is Aubrey Kirch and she has been my coach for about a year now.
Do you have interests/hobbies outside of Racquetball? Reading and art.
Who are your family members, pets etc.? My family members are my brother, mom, dad, and my pet hamster named Remi.
Any additional comments? I am so grateful I got the chance to represent my state and country. I have learned a lot from the experience and hope to go again next year!
Andrea Perez Picon
City: Manteca
School: Sierra High School – Freshman
What division(s) did you play at the World Championships and what were the results: I competed in Girls 14 and under singles and doubles. I placed 3rd in doubles.
What did representing the USA and California mean to you? It meant a lot because representing USA and California is a very big accomplishment that you have to EARN. It was a big honor to represent OUR country. I look forward to bringing the Gold next year. I’m going to train even harder because I know I’m going to be #1.
Were there any experiences other than Racquetball you had in Guatemala? We went to see the Zoo with some USA Team members before the tournament. My family and I also went downtown, saw many different people and food, and saw how other countries are. I also really enjoyed making friends who share the same passion that I do. I made good friends, but there were only two who I hung out with most of the time and they were Andrea Marquez and Dana Portillo!
How old were you when you started playing Racquetball? 5
Do you have any coaches you would like to acknowledge? My coach is my mom Rosa and is the best doubles partner! She has been my coach for as long as I can remember ever since I started competing. She is the reason why I’m the #1 in Girls 14 and under. And I want to give a very big thanks to Anwar Ali who coached me through the tuff games during Worlds.
Do you have interests/hobbies outside of Racquetball? Baking, my little bracelet business ;), riding Betty (horse), ping pong (which Alex is very good at) and finally traveling.
Who are your family members, pets etc.? My mother Rosa, my dad Eleazar, my brothers Jose and Alex, and my beautiful sister Estefy. I also have two dogs CoCo Chanel and Yogi and my cat Joy. I also have a beautiful palomino horse named Betty.
Any additional comments? I’m looking forward to representing USA and California once again at the next Junior World Championships and I’m very driven to bring home at least 3 medals at the next Worlds. And I hope to become the #1 in the World!
Paul Saraceno
Age: 17
City: Simi Valley
School: HSMC (High School at Moorpark College)
What division(s) did you play at the World Championships and what were the results: 18U Doubles - quarterfinals
What did representing the USA and California mean to you? Being able to attend and represent the USA was a tremendous experience. I was also selected as one of the Team Captains which was a complete surprise and a deep honor. I also enjoyed supporting the Junior World athletes in their competition. Finally, Guatemala is a beautiful country, and we were fortunate to have visited a number of the popular sites.
Were there any experiences other than Racquetball you had in Guatemala? My Dad and I had a blast exploring the different tourist spots that Guatemala had to offer. We visited Hobbitenango, Antigua, and climbed Pacaya Volcano. We also had a great time trying new foods and socializing with the other team members.
How old were you when you started playing Racquetball? 5
Do you have any coaches you would like to acknowledge? Jim Winterton for two years and on-going coaching.
Do you have interests/hobbies outside of Racquetball? Cooking, watching Anime, working out at the gym, and hanging out with friends.
Who are your family members, pets etc.? My dad Frank and mom Patricia. I have 2 older brothers, Frank and Joey (28 and 27) and a sister, Natalie who is 24. We also have a step-dog named Chico, a Maltese Chihuahua.
Any additional comments? I would like to thank Coach Tim Baghurst and Cheryl Kirk for their tremendous leadership, direction, and guidance in preparing us for this special event. We are very lucky to have them! I also want to thank Jim Winterton for his support up until and throughout the competition. Finally, a big thank you to all my sponsors that have supported me in the past and in this competition: Team Dovetail, Gearbox Racquetball, Reaching Your Dream Foundation, and Host Homes under Wayne Antone. They all have been pivotal in allowing me to travel and attend tournaments all over the world. Thank you!
Heather Mahoney
City: Penngrove
School: UC Santa Barbara (1st year)
What division(s) did you play at the World Championships and what were the results: 18u Singles (lost in quarters); 18u Doubles (2nd place/silver); 18u Mixed Doubles (lost in quarters)
What did representing the USA and California mean to you? Representing USA and California at Junior Worlds is a huge honor that people shouldn't take for granted. It means that along with playing our very best for our country, we also need to have good sportsmanship and be respectful on and off the court.
Were there any experiences other than Racquetball you had in Guatemala? My family along with Julia Stein and her father were able to go to Antigua in Guatemala. We visited historic museums and architecture among the cobblestone streets. We ate delicious Guatemalan food and happened to be visiting on the day of Burning of the Devil, which included music, food and burning devil pinatas as a way to cleanse for the new year ahead!
How old were you when you started playing Racquetball? 6
Do you have any coaches you would like to acknowledge? My coach, Brian Dixon, has been my coach since I was 6 years old. He has helped me win National and World Titles and has always pushed me to be the best player I can be.
Do you have interests/hobbies outside of Racquetball? I play on the UCSB Women's Club Soccer Team in college. We get to travel to places like Texas and compete against other colleges. I love spending my time out in nature like going to the beach, going on hikes, or having picnics outside. I am majoring in Environmental Studies so I love the classes I take and getting involved with helping the environment in any way.
Who are your family members, pets etc.? Dad- John Mahoney, Mom- Melodese Mahoney, Sister- Hadley Mahoney. Dog- Cali, Cat- Mittens.
USA Racquetball joins the California Nevada Racquetball Association in congratulating all 10 players and their families who traveled to Guatemala to represent the USA and California. We look forward to seeing more of your passion and your achievements in 2023 and beyond!
Photos Courtesy of U.S. Junior Team Delegation Families and Friends