Repeating it’s domination of USA Junior Racquetball, California won the state title at the 2007 Head Penn Junior Olympic National Championships held in Tempe, Arizona this past June for the second year in a row.

Arizona State University was the site of the championships, a facility well-suited for the event with it’s 12 glass-backed racquetball courts.  Darold Key and Frank Taddonio were local organizers of the tournament and did a great job of assisting the USAR with running a great tournament.

Aubrey O’Brien of Auburn, CA was the tournament’s lone triple gold medalist.  The 14-under won the girls 14 singles,14  doubles with Lily Berry (OH)  and 16 mixed doubles with Jacob Pritchard (CA) .

Also making impressive showings at the tournament were double-gold medalists Jose Rojas (CA) (boys 16 and 18 singles), Sheryl Lotts (OH) in girls 16 singles and doubles with Danielle Key (AZ), Spencer Shoemaker (OH) in Boys 10 singles and doubles with Kyle Ulliman (OH), and Erika Manilla (CO) in girls 8 singles and 10 mixed doubles with Matt McAdam (CO).

Athlete of the Year honors went to:

Female:                        Samantha McGuffey - Ohio

Male:                            Allan Crockett – Alabama

Esprit Female:               Abbey Lavely (OH)

Esprit Male:                  Adam Manilla (CO)

For complete tournament results go to:

http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/viewResults.asp?TID=2093

251 players from 34 states including Alaska and Hawaii competed in the championships.  The states’order of finishes were as follows:

From this event, the USA Junior National team was selected which will compete at the IRF Junior World Racquetball Championships in December.  See related article on this website.

The location for next year’s Junior Nationals has yet to be determined as bids are still being accepted for this event through 9/1/07.  If interested in hosting the 2008 Junior Nationals, please contact the USAR.