Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour
The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour is the latest name for the women's professional racquetball tour. It features the world's best players and several events each season - running from September to May - that are mostly played in the USA.
History
Women's professional racquetball has existed since the 1970s but the women's pro tour began in 1980, when the Women's Professional Racquetball Association (WPRA) was created.[1] The tour was run by International Management Group, and did well in the early 1980s in part due to the great rivalry between Lynn Adams and Heather McKay. The WPRA lasted until 1994, when the Women's International Racquetball Tour (WIRT) was created.
In 2000, the United States Racquetball Association (USRA) took over administration of the WIRT, and renamed it the Ladies Professional Racquetball Association (LPRA). This led to significant growth under the supervision of the USRA, which had a three year plan for the LPRA.[2]
In 2005, the players took over control and ownership of the tour, and again it was reorganized and rebranded as the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization.[3] Shannon Feaster, a former player, served as the WPRO Commissioner from 2005 to 2010, when she stepped down to focus on her family. Gigi Rock was then hired as the new commissioner in July 2010.[4]
In 2012, the players decided to reorganize and created the LPRT with T. J. Baumbaugh as President and Andy Kulback Deputy Commissioner.
Current season
2014-2015 (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)
| Event | Winner | Runner Up | Semi Finalists | Quarterfinalists |
| Torneo Fenapo Paola Longoria San Luis Potosí, Mexico |
 Paola Longoria11-6, 12-10, 11-2 |
 Maria Jose Vargas |
Samantha Salas Rhonda Rajsich |
 Veronica Sotomayor Frédérique Lambert Maria Paz Muñoz Kimberly Irons |
| Abierto Mexicano de Racquetas Huixquilucan, Mexico |
Paola Longoria 11-8, 2-11, 11-3, 11-7 |
Maria Jose Vargas |
Frédérique Lambert Rhonda Rajsich |
Sofia Rascon Susana Acosta Cristina Amaya Michelle Key |
| US Open Racquetball Championships Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Paola Longoria 11-5, 11-3, 11-8 |
Maria Jose Vargas |
Cristina Amaya Rhonda Rajsich |
Diana Aguilar Sofia Rascon Frédérique Lambert Veronica Sotomayor |
| Ektelon Stockton Pro-Am Stockton, California |
Rhonda Rajsich 11-9, 5-11, 14-12, 5-11, 11-4 |
Paola Longoria |
Maria Jose Vargas Frédérique Lambert |
Da'monique Davis Sofia Rascon Sheryl Lotts Cristina Amaya |
| Paola Longoria Invitational Monterrey, Mexico |
Paola Longoria 11-4, 11-9, 11-5 |
Rhonda Rajsich |
Samantha Salas Maria Jose Vargas |
Lucia Gonzalez Cristina Amaya Veronica Sotomayor Cheryl Gudinas |
| Christmas Classic Arlington, Virginia |
Maria Jose Vargas 5-11, 11-7, 11-7, 13-11 |
Rhonda Rajsich |
Alexandra Herrera Samantha Salas |
Michelle Key Jessica Parrila Cheryl Gudinas Da'monique Davis |
| Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am Cincinnati, Ohio |
Paola Longoria 12-10, 11-7, 11-5 |
Maria Jose Vargas |
Samantha Salas Rhonda Rajsich |
Da'monique Davis Susana Acosta Frédérique Lambert Cristina Amaya |
| Winter Classic Overland Park, Kansas |
Paola Longoria 11-1, 11-2, 11-4 |
Rhonda Rajsich |
Samantha Salas Maria Jose Vargas |
Da'monique Davis Sofia Rascon Frédérique Lambert Veronica Sotomayor |
| New Jersey Open Warren, New Jersey |
Maria Jose Vargas 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-3 |
Frédérique Lambert |
Rhonda Rajsich Paola Longoria |
Susana Acosta Ximena Gonzalez Sofia Rascon Veronica Sotomayor |
| California Nevada USAR Regionals Fountain Valley, California |
Paola Longoria 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 |
Maria Jose Vargas |
Samantha Salas Cristina Amaya |
Michelle Key Susana Acosta Frédérique Lambert Rhonda Rajsich |
| Mile High Pro-Am Denver, Colorado |
Paola Longoria 11-9, 11-1, 11-1 |
Maria Jose Vargas |
Frédérique Lambert Cristina Amaya |
Sofia Rascon Cheryl Gudinas Samantha Salas Rhonda Rajsich |
| Battle of the Alamo[5] San Antonio, Texas |
Paola Longoria 11-7, 11-9, 5-11, 11-2 |
Maria Jose Vargas |
Samantha Salas Rhonda Rajsich |
Cheryl Gudinas Veronica Sotomayor Frédérique Lambert Michelle Key |
| Ektelon Pro Nationals Herndon, Virginia |
||||
Season Summaries (Tier I and Grand Slam Events)
| Season | Wins | US Open winner |
| 2014-15 | Paola Longoria (9), Maria Jose Vargas (2), Rhonda Rajsich |
Paola Longoria |
| 2013-14 | Paola Longoria (12) |
Paola Longoria |
| 2012-13 | Paola Longoria (11) |
Paola Longoria |
| 2011-12 | Paola Longoria (7), Rhonda Rajsich |
Paola Longoria |
| 2010-11 | Paola Longoria (5), Rhonda Rajsich (4), Samantha Salas (1) |
Rhonda Rajsich |
| 2009-10 | Paola Longoria (5), Rhonda Rajsich (2), Cheryl Gudinas (1) |
Rhonda Rajsich |
| 2008-09 | Paola Longoria (4), Rhonda Rajsich (4), Kristen Walsh Bellows (1) |
Paola Longoria |
Season End Rankings
| Rank | 2013-14[6] |
|---|---|
| 1 | Paola Longoria |
| 2 | Rhonda Rajsich |
| 3 | Maria Jose Vargas |
| 4 | Samantha Salas |
| 5 | Cristina Amaya |
| 6 | Frédérique Lambert |
| 7 | Aubrey Kirch |
| 8 | Susana Acosta |
| 9 | Veronica Sotomayor |
| 10 | Da'monique Davis |
| Rank | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13[7] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paola Longoria |
Rhonda Rajsich |
Paola Longoria |
Paola Longoria |
| 2 | Rhonda Rajsich |
Paola Longoria |
Rhonda Rajsich |
Rhonda Rajsich |
| 3 | Cheryl Gudinas |
Samantha Salas |
Kerri Wachtel |
Samantha Salas |
| 4 | Kerri Wachtel |
Kerri Wachtel |
Krystal Csuk |
Susana Acosta |
| 5 | Adrienne Fisher |
Cheryl Gudinas |
Adrienne Fisher |
Cheryl Gudinas |
| 6 | Jo Shattuck |
Susana Acosta |
Susana Acosta |
Adrienne Fisher |
| 7 | Keely Franks |
Jennifer Saunders |
Jennifer Saunders |
Grace Hughes |
| 8 | T. J. Baumbaugh |
Adrienne Fisher |
Cristina Amaya |
Kerri Wachtel |
| 9 | Vivian Gomez |
Cristina Amaya |
Kristen Walsh Bellows |
Cristina Amaya |
| 10 | Samantha Salas |
Krystal Csuk |
Cheryl Gudinas |
 Maria Jose Vargas |
| Rank | 2005-06[8] | 2006-07[9] | 2007-08 | 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhonda Rajsich |
Rhonda Rajsich |
Rhonda Rajsich |
Paola Longoria |
| 2 | Cheryl Gudinas Holmes |
Kerri Wachtel |
Cheryl Gudinas Holmes |
Rhonda Rajsich |
| 3 | Christie Van Hees |
Cheryl Gudinas Holmes |
Kerri Wachtel |
Cheryl Gudinas Holmes |
| 4 | Kristen Walsh Bellows |
 Angela Grisar |
Angela Grisar |
Kristen Walsh Bellows |
| 5 | Angela Grisar |
Christie Van Hees |
Kristen Walsh Bellows |
Kerri Wachtel |
| 6 | Diane Moore |
Brenda Kyzer |
Paola Longoria |
Veronica Sotomayor |
| 7 | Brenda Kyzer |
Kristen Walsh Bellows |
Adrienne Fisher |
Adrienne Fisher |
| 8 | Jo Shattuck |
Samantha Salas |
Brenda Kyzer |
Angela Grisar |
| 9 | Tammy Brown |
Jo Shattuck |
Christie Van Hees |
Jennifer Saunders |
| 10 | Laura Fenton |
Diane Moore |
Doreen Fowler |
Jo Shattuck |
| Rank | 2001-02[10] | 2002-03[11] | 2003-04[10] | 2004-05[12] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cheryl Gudinas |
Cheryl Gudinas |
Cheryl Gudinas |
Christie Van Hees |
| 2 | Jackie Rice |
Jackie Paraiso Rice |
Christie Van Hees |
Cheryl Gudinas |
| 3 | Kerri Wachtel |
Kerri Wachtel |
Rhonda Rajsich |
Rhonda Rajsich |
| 4 | Rhonda Rajsich |
Rhonda Rajsich |
Kerri Wachtel |
Kerri Wachtel |
| 5 | Kersten Hallander |
Kersten Hallander |
Kristen Walsh Bellows |
Kristen Walsh Bellows |
| 6 | Kristen Walsh Bellows |
Adrienne Fisher |
Kersten Hallander |
Angela Grisar |
| 7 |  Claudine Garcia |
Kim Russell |
Adrienne Fisher |
Tammy Brown |
| 8 | Kim Russell |
Kristen Walsh Bellows |
Tammy Brown |
Adrienne Fisher |
| 9 | Lori-Jane Powell |
Lori-Jane Powell |
Angela Grisar |
Diane Moore |
| 10 | Laura Fenton |
Susana Acosta |
Jackie Paraiso Rice |
Brenda Kyzer |
| Rank | 1997-98[13] | 1998-99[13] | 1999-2000[13] | 2000-01[10] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michelle Gould |
Jackie Paraiso |
Jackie Paraiso |
Cheryl Gudinas |
| 2 | Jackie Paraiso |
Cheryl Gudinas |
Cheryl Gudinas |
Jackie Paraiso |
| 3 | Marci Drexler |
Christie Van Hees |
Christie Van Hees |
Rhonda Rajsich |
| 4 | Cheryl Gudinas |
Kersten Hallander |
Kersten Hallander |
Laura Fenton |
| 5 | Laura Fenton |
Lydia Hammock |
Susana Acosta |
Kersten Hallander |
| 6 | Lynne Coburn |
Robin Levine |
Lisa Hjelm |
Susana Acosta |
| 7 | Molly O'Brien |
Molly O'Brien |
Kim Machiran |
Doreen Fowler |
| 8 | Lorraine Galloway |
Michelle Wiragh |
Phyllis Morris |
Kerri Stoffregen |
| 9 | Lydia Hammock |
Janet Myers |
Doreen Fowler |
Lori-Jane Powell |
| 10 | Doreen Fowler |
Lori-Jane Powell |
Michelle Lucas |
Kim Machiran |
- Note - Christie Van Hees announced she was retiring at the end of the 2000-01 season, and was omitted from the season ending rankings despite winning two tournaments that season and being in the finals of two others. She certainly would have been in the top 10 that season.[14]
| Rank | 1993-94[15] | 1994-95[13] | 1995-96[13] | 1996-97[13] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michelle Gould |
Michelle Gould |
Michelle Gould |
Michelle Gould |
| 2 | Marci Drexler |
Robin Levine |
Cheryl Gudinas |
Cheryl Gudinas |
| 3 | Robin Levine |
Marci Drexler |
Amy Kilbane |
Jackie Paraiso |
| 4 | Cheryl Gudinas |
Cheryl Gudinas |
Marcy Lynch* |
Laura Fenton |
| 5 | Lynne Coburn |
Lynne Coburn |
Anita Maldonado* |
Molly O'Brien |
| 6 | Molly O'Brien |
Chris Evon |
Kim Machiran |
Lynne Coburn |
| 7 | Laura Fenton |
Laura Fenton |
Molly O'Brien |
Marcy Lynch |
| 8 | Chris Evon |
Molly O'Brien |
Jackie Paraiso |
Janet Myers |
| 9 | Ellen Crawford |
Marcy Lynch |
Dina Moreland |
Lydia Hammock |
| 10 | Roz Olson |
Amy Kilbane |
Lynne Coburn |
Randi Friedman |
- Note - Marcy Lynch and Anita Maldonado tied for 4th in 1995-96.
| Rank | 1989-90[15] | 1990-91[15] | 1991-92[15] | 1992-93[15] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lynn Adams |
Michelle Gilman |
Jackie Paraiso Gibson |
Michelle Gould |
| 2 | Michelle Gilman |
Lynn Adams |
Malia Kamahoahoa Bailey |
Marci Drexler |
| 3 | Caryn McKinney |
Malia Bailey |
Toni Bevelock |
Malia Bailey |
| 4 | Toni Bevelock |
Caryn McKinney |
Michelle Gilman Gould |
Jackie Paraiso Gibson |
| 5 | Kaye Kuhfeld |
Jackie Paraiso |
Dottie Fishl Kelly |
Lynne Coburn |
| 6 | Malia Bailey |
Toni Bevelock |
Marci Drexler |
Kaye Kuhfeld |
| 7 | Molly O'Brien |
Kaye Kuhfeld |
Marcy Lynch |
Toni Bevelock* |
| 8 | Jackie Paraiso |
Marci Drexler |
Lynne Coburn |
Molly O'Brien* |
| 9 | Dottie Fishl |
Lynne Coburn |
Kaye Kuhfeld |
Chris Evon |
| 10 | Chris Evon |
Marcy Lynch |
Robin Levine |
Caryn McKinney |
- Note - Toni Bevelock and Molly O'Brien tied for 7th in 1992-93.
| Rank | 1985-96[15] | 1986-87[15] | 1987-88[15] | 1988-89[15] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lynn Adams |
Lynn Adams |
Lynn Adams |
Caryn McKinney |
| 2 | Caryn McKinney |
Caryn McKinney |
Caryn McKinney |
Lynn Adams |
| 3 | Marci Drexler |
Marci Drexler |
Kaye Kuhfeld |
Toni Bevelock |
| 4 | Vicki Panzeri |
Molly O'Brien |
Marci Drexler |
Marci Drexler |
| 5 | Terri Gilreath* |
Vicki Panzeri |
Molly O'Brien |
Kaye Kuhfeld |
| 6 | Bonnie Stoll* |
Kaye Kuhfeld |
Jackie Paraiso |
Molly O'Brien |
| 7 | Molly O'Brien* |
Terri Gilreath |
Vicki Panzeri |
Dottie Fishl |
| 8 | Sandy Robson* |
Marcy Lynch |
Liz Alvarado |
Jackie Paraiso |
| 9 | Fran Davis |
Chris Evon |
Toni Bevelock |
Cindy Doyle |
| 10 | Trina Rasmussen |
Jackie Paraiso]] |
Cindy Doyle |
Marcy Lynch |
Note: In the 1986-85 season, Terri Gilreath and Bonnie Stoll tied for 5th and Molly O'Brien and Sandy Robson tied for 7th.
| Rank | 1980-81[15] | 1981-82[15] | 1982-83[15] | 1983-84[15] | 1984-85[15] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Heather McKay |
Lynn Adams |
Heather McKay |
Heather McKay |
Lynn Adams |
| 2 | Lynn Adams |
Heather McKay |
Lynn Adams |
Lynn Adams |
Vicki Panzeri |
| 3 | Shannon Wright |
Shannon Wright |
Shannon Wright |
Shannon Wright-Hamilton |
Terri Gilreath |
| 4 | Marci Greer |
Marci Greer |
Laura Martino |
Janell Marriott |
Caryn McKinney |
| 5 | Karin Walton-Trent |
Peggy Gardner |
Vicki Panzeri |
Vicki Panzeri |
Marci Drexler |
| 6 | Peggy Gardner |
Laura Martino |
Janell Marriott |
Terri Gilreath |
Janell Marriott |
| 7 | Laura Martino |
Terri Gilreath |
Marci Greer |
Laura Martino |
Heather McKay |
| 8 | Linda Prefontaine |
Rita Hoff |
Terri Gilreath |
Caryn McKinney |
Liz Alvarado |
| 9 | Francine Davis |
Jennifer Harding |
Peggy Gardner |
Marci Greer |
Diane Bullard |
| 10 | Janell Marriott |
Vicki Panzeri |
Heather Stupp |
Brenda Barrett |
Cindy Baxter |
| Most Years In Top 10 | ||
| 1. | Cheryl Gudinas | 20 |
| 2. | Jackie Paraiso | 16 |
| 3. | Rhonda Rajsich | 14 |
| 4. | Kerri Wachtel | 12 |
| 4. | Molly O'Brien | 12 |
| 6. | Lynn Adams | 11 |
| 6. | Marci Drexler | 11 |
| 8. | Adrienne Fisher | 9 |
| 8. | Michelle Gould | 9 |
| 8. | Caryn McKinney | 9 |
| 8. | Kristen Bellows | 9 |
Year-end number 1
| Years ended No. 1 | ||
| 1. | Michelle Gould | 7 |
| 2. | Lynn Adams | 6 |
| 3. | Paola Longoria | 5 |
| 4. | Cheryl Gudinas | 4 |
| 4. | Rhonda Rajsich | 4 |
| 6. | Heather McKay | 3 |
| 6. | Jackie Paraiso | 3 |
| 8. | Caryn McKinney | 1 |
| 8. | Christie Van Hees | 1 |
- 1980-81: Heather McKay
- 1981-82: Lynn Adams
- 1982-83: Heather McKay (2)
- 1983-84: Heather McKay (3)
- 1984-85: Lynn Adams (2)
- 1985-86: Lynn Adams (3)
- 1986-87: Lynn Adams (4)
- 1987-88: Lynn Adams (5)
- 1988-89: Caryn McKinney
- 1989-90: Lynn Adams (6)
- 1990-91: Michelle Gilman
- 1991-92: Jackie Paraiso Gibson
- 1992-93: Michelle Gould (2)
- 1993-94: Michelle Gould (3)
- 1994-95: Michelle Gould (4)
- 1995-96: Michelle Gould (5)
- 1996-97: Michelle Gould (6)
- 1997-98: Michelle Gould (7)
- 1998-99: Jackie Paraiso (2)
- 1999-2000: Jackie Paraiso (3)
- 2000-01: Cheryl Gudinas
- 2001-02: Cheryl Gudinas (2)
- 2002-03: Cheryl Gudinas (3)
- 2003-04: Cheryl Gudinas (4)
- 2004-05: Christie Van Hees
- 2005-06: Rhonda Rajsich
- 2006-07: Rhonda Rajsich (2)
- 2007-08: Rhonda Rajsich (3)
- 2008-09: Paola Longoria
- 2009-10: Paola Longoria (2)
- 2010-11: Rhonda Rajsich (4)
- 2011-12: Paola Longoria (3)
- 2012-13: Paola Longoria (4)
- 2013-14: Paola Longoria (5)
References
- ↑ "Video". CNN. October 29, 1984.
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20030802090845/www.racqmag.com/racqmag/2003/233/232feat_lpra.htm Racquetball Magazine article
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20050824155731/http://ladiesproracquetball.com/ 2005 WPRO website
- ↑ http://wprotour.com/documents/Rock_And_The_Role.pdf WPRO Press Release
- ↑ http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/drawsOut/view-bracket.asp?leftFrame=&TID=13654&divID=34&combinedID=0&print=&fromPage=&highlightMatchNum=&drawVar=&message=
- ↑ http://www.lprtour.com/downloads/2013-2014_Rankings_052014_Season_Ending.pdf
- ↑ http://www.lprtour.com/downloads/2012-2013_Rankings_as_of_052013.pdf
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20060703233841/ladiesproracquetball.com/rankings.htm Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20070609022856/www.ladiesproracquetball.com/rankings.htm Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 http://web.archive.org/web/20030214221311/ladiesproracquetball.com/events.htm Ladies Professional Racquetball Association
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20030720144454/http://ladiesproracquetball.com/ Ladies Professional Racquetball Association
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20050826202508/www.ladiesproracquetball.com/rankings.htm Ladies Professional Racquetball Association
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 http://web.archive.org/web/20030607144001/ladiesproracquetball.com/events/WIRT_results.htm Women's International Racquetball Tour
- ↑ Racquetball magazine, July–August 2001
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 15.8 15.9 15.10 15.11 15.12 15.13 http://web.archive.org/web/20030607145240/ladiesproracquetball.com/events/WPRA_results.htm Women's Professional Racquetball Association
- "2010-11 Schedule". Retrieved 2010-10-15.
External links
- "Official Website". Retrieved 2010-04-26.