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 and marketing executive, served as the WPRO Commissioner from February 2006 to May 2011, when she stepped down to focus on her family. Gigi Rock was then hired as the new commissioner in July 2011.[4]

In 2012, the players decided to reorganize and created the LPRT with T. J. Baumbaugh as President and Andy Kulback Deputy Commissioner. Kulback resigned in October 2016.

Current season

2022-2023 (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)

EventChampionRunner UpSemi FinalistsQuarterfinalistsDoubles ChampionsFinalists
KWM Gutterman World Singles and Doubles Open Racquetball Championships

Highlands Ranch, Colorado
August 10-13, 2023

Mexico Paola Longoria
13-15, 15-3, 11-5[5]
Mexico Montserrat Mejía Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Colombia Brenda Laime
Mexico Samantha Salas
Argentina Natalia Mendez
Guatemala Gabriela Martinez
United States Erika Manilla
2023 LPRT Turkey Shoot

Lombard, Illinois
November 16-19, 2023

Argentina Maria Jose Vargas
15-9, 15-5[6]
United States Erika Manilla Mexico Montserrat Mejía
Mexico Paola Longoria
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Colombia Brenda Laime
Argentina Natalia Mendez
United States Kelani Lawrence
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Mexico Montserrat Mejía
12-15, 15-5, 11-9[7]
Mexico Paola Longoria
Mexico Samantha Salas
31st Annual LPRT Christmas Classic

Millersville, Maryland
December 9–11, 2022

Argentina Maria Jose Vargas
15-8, 15-7[8]
Mexico Montserrat Mejía Mexico Paola Longoria
Colombia Cristina Amaya
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Mexico Samantha Salas
United States Kelani Lawrence
Guatemala Gabriela Martinez
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Mexico Montserrat Mejía
15-10, 15-8[9]
Mexico Paola Longoria
Mexico Samantha Salas
Arizona Open

Tempe, Arizona
January 12–14, 2024

Argentina Maria Jose Vargas
15-5, 15-12[10]
Mexico Alexandra Herrera Mexico Paola Longoria
United States Erika Manilla
Bolivia Angélica Barrios
Mexico Montserrat Mejía
Guatemala Gabriela Martinez
Colombia Brenda Laime
Mexico Alexandra Herrera
Mexico Montserrat Mejía
15-9, 15-4[11]
Mexico Paola Longoria
Mexico Samantha Salas
Boston Open

Marlborough, Massachusetts
March 1–3, 2024

Battle at the Alamo

San Antonio, Texas
April 25–28, 2024

Sweet Caroline Open LPRT Grand Slam

Greenville, South Carolina
May 17-19, 2024

Season Summaries (Tier I and Grand Slam Events)

SeasonWinsUS Open winner
2023-24 Argentina Maria Jose Vargas (3), Mexico Paola Longoria -
2022-23 Mexico Montserrat Mejía (5), Mexico Paola Longoria (3), Mexico Alexandra Herrera, Guatemala Gabriela Martinez Mexico Paola Longoria
2021-22 Mexico Paola Longoria (6), Mexico Alexandra Herrera (2), Guatemala Gabriela Martinez Mexico Paola Longoria
2020-21 Mexico Paola Longoria (2), Mexico Montserrat Mejía No event due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019-20 Mexico Paola Longoria (7), Argentina Maria Jose Vargas Mexico Paola Longoria
2018-19 Mexico Paola Longoria (9), Argentina Maria Jose Vargas Mexico Paola Longoria
2017-18 Mexico Paola Longoria (7), Mexico Samantha Salas, Argentina Maria Jose Vargas Mexico Paola Longoria
2016-17 Mexico Paola Longoria (10), Canada Frédérique Lambert, Mexico Samantha Salas Mexico Paola Longoria
2015-16 Mexico Paola Longoria (11) Mexico Paola Longoria
2014-15 Mexico Paola Longoria (10), Argentina Maria Jose Vargas (2), United States Rhonda Rajsich Mexico Paola Longoria
2013-14 Mexico Paola Longoria (12) Mexico Paola Longoria
2012-13 Mexico Paola Longoria (11) Mexico Paola Longoria
2011-12 Mexico Paola Longoria (7), United States Rhonda Rajsich Mexico Paola Longoria
2010-11 Mexico Paola Longoria (5), United States Rhonda Rajsich (4), Mexico Samantha Salas (1) United States Rhonda Rajsich
2009-10 Mexico Paola Longoria (5), United States Rhonda Rajsich (2), United States Cheryl Gudinas (1) United States Rhonda Rajsich
2008-09 Mexico Paola Longoria (4), United States Rhonda Rajsich (4), United States Kristen Walsh Bellows (1) Mexico Paola Longoria

Rankings

Season ending top 10 rankings

Rank 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23[12]
1 Mexico Paola Longoria Mexico Paola Longoria Mexico Montserrat Mejía
2 Mexico Alexandra Herrera Mexico Alexandra Herrera Mexico Paola Longoria
3 Mexico Montserrat Mejía Argentina Maria Jose Vargas Mexico Alexandra Herrera
4 Argentina Maria Jose Vargas Argentina Natalia Mendez United States Erika Manilla
5 Mexico Samantha Salas Guatemala Gabriela Martinez Bolivia Brenda Laime
6 Argentina Natalia Mendez United States Erika Manilla Bolivia Angélica Barrios
7 Mexico Jessica Parrilla Bolivia Angélica Barrios Argentina Maria Jose Vargas
8 Bolivia Angélica Barrios Mexico Jessica Parrilla Mexico Jessica Parrilla
9 Argentina Valeria Centellas United States Rhonda Rajsich Chile Carla Muñoz
10 United States Rhonda Rajsich Mexico Montserrat Mejía Argentina Natalia Mendez
Rank 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
1 Mexico Paola Longoria Mexico Paola Longoria Mexico Paola Longoria Mexico Paola Longoria Mexico Paola Longoria
2 United States Rhonda Rajsich Canada Frédérique Lambert Canada Frédérique Lambert Mexico Samantha Salas Argentina Maria Jose Vargas
3 Argentina Maria Jose Vargas Mexico Samantha Salas Mexico Jessica Parrilla Argentina Maria Jose Vargas Mexico Samantha Salas
4 Canada Frédérique Lambert Mexico Jessica Parrilla Mexico Alexandra Herrera Mexico Alexandra Herrera Mexico Alexandra Herrera
5 Mexico Samantha Salas Mexico Alexandra Herrera United States Rhonda Rajsich United States Rhonda Rajsich Argentina Natalia Mendez
6 Mexico Jessica Parrilla United States Rhonda Rajsich Mexico Nancy Enriquez Argentina Natalia Mendez Mexico Montserrat Mejía
7 Mexico Sofia Rascon Colombia Cristina Amaya Argentina Natalia Mendez Mexico Nancy Enriquez United States Rhonda Rajsich
8 Mexico Alexandra Herrera Chile Carla Muñoz Colombia Cristina Amaya Colombia Cristina Amaya Mexico Nancy Enriquez
9 Mexico Susana Acosta Mexico Susana Acosta Argentina Maria Jose Vargas Canada Frédérique Lambert Colombia Cristina Amaya
10 Colombia Cristina Amaya Colombia Adriana Riveros Chile Carla Muñoz Colombia Adriana Riveros Mexico Jessica Parrilla
Rank 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13[13] 2013-14[14] 2014-15[15]
1 United States Rhonda Rajsich Mexico Paola Longoria Mexico Paola Longoria Mexico Paola Longoria Mexico Paola Longoria
2 Mexico Paola Longoria United States Rhonda Rajsich United States Rhonda Rajsich United States Rhonda Rajsich Argentina Maria Jose Vargas
3 Mexico Samantha Salas United States Kerri Wachtel Mexico Samantha Salas Argentina Maria Jose Vargas United States Rhonda Rajsich
4 United States Kerri Wachtel United States Krystal Csuk Mexico Susana Acosta Mexico Samantha Salas Canada Frédérique Lambert
5 United States Cheryl Gudinas United States Adrienne Fisher United States Cheryl Gudinas Colombia Cristina Amaya Mexico Samantha Salas
6 Mexico Susana Acosta Mexico Susana Acosta United States Adrienne Fisher Canada Frédérique Lambert Colombia Cristina Amaya
7 Canada Jennifer Saunders Canada Jennifer Saunders United States Grace Hughes United States Aubrey Kirch United States Michelle Key
8 United States Adrienne Fisher Colombia Cristina Amaya United States Kerri Wachtel Mexico Susana Acosta Mexico Sofia Rascon
9 Colombia Cristina Amaya United States Kristen Walsh Bellows Colombia Cristina Amaya Ecuador Veronica Sotomayor United States Cheryl Gudinas
10 United States Krystal Csuk United States Cheryl Gudinas Bolivia Maria Jose Vargas United States Da'monique Davis United States Da'monique Davis
Rank 2005-06[16] 2006-07[17] 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
1 United States Rhonda Rajsich United States Rhonda Rajsich United States Rhonda Rajsich Mexico Paola Longoria Mexico Paola Longoria
2 United States Cheryl Gudinas Holmes United States Kerri Wachtel United States Cheryl Gudinas Holmes United States Rhonda Rajsich United States Rhonda Rajsich
3 Canada Christie Van Hees United States Cheryl Gudinas Holmes United States Kerri Wachtel United States Cheryl Gudinas Holmes United States Cheryl Gudinas Holmes
4 United States Kristen Walsh Bellows Chile Angela Grisar Chile Angela Grisar United States Kristen Walsh Bellows United States Kerri Wachtel
5 Chile Angela Grisar Canada Christie Van Hees United States Kristen Walsh Bellows United States Kerri Wachtel United States Adrienne Fisher
6 United States Diane Moore United States Brenda Kyzer Mexico Paola Longoria Ecuador Veronica Sotomayor United States Jo Shattuck
7 United States Brenda Kyzer United States Kristen Walsh Bellows United States Adrienne Fisher United States Adrienne Fisher United States Keely Franks
8 United States Jo Shattuck Mexico Samantha Salas United States Brenda Kyzer Chile Angela Grisar United States T. J. Baumbaugh
9 United States Tammy Brown United States Jo Shattuck Canada Christie Van Hees Canada Jennifer Saunders United States Vivian Gomez
10 United States Laura Fenton United States Diane Moore United States Doreen Fowler United States Jo Shattuck Mexico Samantha Salas
Rank 2000-01[18] 2001-02[18] 2002-03[19] 2003-04[18] 2004-05[20]
1 United States Cheryl Gudinas United States Cheryl Gudinas United States Cheryl Gudinas United States Cheryl Gudinas Canada Christie Van Hees
2 United States Jackie Paraiso United States Jackie Rice United States Jackie Paraiso Rice Canada Christie Van Hees United States Cheryl Gudinas
3 United States Rhonda Rajsich United States Kerri Wachtel United States Kerri Wachtel United States Rhonda Rajsich United States Rhonda Rajsich
4 United States Laura Fenton United States Rhonda Rajsich United States Rhonda Rajsich United States Kerri Wachtel United States Kerri Wachtel
5 United States Kersten Hallander United States Kersten Hallander United States Kersten Hallander United States Kristen Walsh Bellows United States Kristen Walsh Bellows
6 Mexico Susana Acosta United States Kristen Walsh Bellows United States Adrienne Fisher United States Kersten Hallander Chile Angela Grisar
7 United States Doreen Fowler Dominican Republic Claudine Garcia United States Kim Russell United States Adrienne Fisher United States Tammy Brown
8 United States Kerri Stoffregen United States Kim Russell United States Kristen Walsh Bellows United States Tammy Brown United States Adrienne Fisher
9 Canada Lori-Jane Powell Canada Lori-Jane Powell Canada Lori-Jane Powell Chile Angela Grisar United States Diane Moore
10 United States Kim Machiran United States Laura Fenton Mexico Susana Acosta United States Jackie Paraiso Rice United States Brenda Kyzer
  • 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.[21]
Rank 1995-96[22] 1996-97[22] 1997-98[22] 1998-99[22] 1999-2000[22]
1 United States Michelle Gould United States Michelle Gould United States Michelle Gould United States Jackie Paraiso United States Jackie Paraiso
2 United States Cheryl Gudinas United States Cheryl Gudinas United States Jackie Paraiso United States Cheryl Gudinas United States Cheryl Gudinas
3 United States Amy Kilbane United States Jackie Paraiso United States Marci Drexler Canada Christie Van Hees Canada Christie Van Hees
4 United States Marcy Lynch* United States Laura Fenton United States Cheryl Gudinas United States Kersten Hallander United States Kersten Hallander
5 United States Anita Maldonado* United States Molly O'Brien United States Laura Fenton United States Lydia Hammock Mexico Susana Acosta
6 United States Kim Machiran United States Lynne Coburn United States Lynne Coburn United States Robin Levine United States Lisa Hjelm
7 United States Molly O'Brien United States Marcy Lynch United States Molly O'Brien United States Molly O'Brien United States Kim Machiran
8 United States Jackie Paraiso United States Janet Myers United States Lorraine Galloway United States Michelle Wiragh United States Phyllis Morris
9 United States Dina Moreland United States Lydia Hammock United States Lydia Hammock United States Janet Myers United States Doreen Fowler
10 United States Lynne Coburn United States Randi Friedman United States Doreen Fowler Canada Lori-Jane Powell United States Michelle Lucas
  • Note - Marcy Lynch and Anita Maldonado tied for 4th in 1995-96.
Rank 1990-91[23] 1991-92[23] 1992-93[23] 1993-94[23] 1994-95[22]
1 United States Michelle Gilman United States Jackie Paraiso Gibson United States Michelle Gould United States Michelle Gould United States Michelle Gould
2 United States Lynn Adams United States Malia Kamahoahoa Bailey United States Marci Drexler United States Marci Drexler United States Robin Levine
3 United States Malia Bailey United States Toni Bevelock United States Malia Bailey United States Robin Levine United States Marci Drexler
4 United States Caryn McKinney United States Michelle Gilman Gould United States Jackie Paraiso Gibson United States Cheryl Gudinas United States Cheryl Gudinas
5 United States Jackie Paraiso United States Dottie Fishl Kelly United States Lynne Coburn United States Lynne Coburn United States Lynne Coburn
6 United States Toni Bevelock United States Marci Drexler United States Kaye Kuhfeld United States Molly O’Brien United States Chris Evon
7 United States Kaye Kuhfeld United States Marcy Lynch United States Toni Bevelock* United States Laura Fenton United States Laura Fenton
8 United States Marci Drexler United States Lynne Coburn United States Molly O'Brien* United States Chris Evon United States Molly O'Brien
9 United States Lynne Coburn United States Kaye Kuhfeld United States Chris Evon United States Ellen Crawford United States Marcy Lynch
10 United States Marcy Lynch United States Robin Levine United States Caryn McKinney United States Roz Olson United States Amy Kilbane
  • Note - Toni Bevelock and Molly O'Brien tied for 7th in 1992-93.
Rank 1985-96[23] 1986-87[23] 1987-88[23] 1988-89[23] 1989-90[23]
1 United States Lynn Adams United States Lynn Adams United States Lynn Adams United States Caryn McKinney United States Lynn Adams
2 United States Caryn McKinney United States Caryn McKinney United States Caryn McKinney United States Lynn Adams United States Michelle Gilman
3 United States Marci Drexler United States Marci Drexler United States Kaye Kuhfeld United States Toni Bevelock United States Caryn McKinney
4 United States Vicki Panzeri United States Molly O'Brien United States Marci Drexler United States Marci Drexler United States Toni Bevelock
5 United States Terri Gilreath* United States Vicki Panzeri United States Molly O'Brien United States Kaye Kuhfeld United States Kaye Kuhfeld
6 United States Bonnie Stoll* United States Kaye Kuhfeld United States Jackie Paraiso United States Molly O'Brien United States Malia Bailey
7 United States Molly O'Brien* United States Terri Gilreath United States Vicki Panzeri United States Dottie Fishl United States Molly O'Brien
8 United States Sandy Robson* United States Marcy Lynch United States Liz Alvarado United States Jackie Paraiso United States Jackie Paraiso
9 United States Fran Davis United States Chris Evon United States Toni Bevelock United States Cindy Doyle United States Dottie Fishl
10 United States Trina Rasmussen United States Jackie Paraiso]] United States Cindy Doyle United States Marcy Lynch United States Chris Evon

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[23] 1981-82[23] 1982-83[23] 1983-84[23] 1984-85[23]
1 Australia Heather McKay United States Lynn Adams Australia Heather McKay Australia Heather McKay United States Lynn Adams
2 United States Lynn Adams Australia Heather McKay United States Lynn Adams United States Lynn Adams United States Vicki Panzeri
3 United States Shannon Wright United States Shannon Wright United States Shannon Wright United States Shannon Wright-Hamilton United States Terri Gilreath
4 United States Marci Greer United States Marci Greer United States Laura Martino United States Janell Marriott United States Caryn McKinney
5 United States Karin Walton-Trent United States Peggy Gardner United States Vicki Panzeri United States Vicki Panzeri United States Marci Drexler
6 United States Peggy Gardner United States Laura Martino United States Janell Marriott United States Terri Gilreath United States Janell Marriott
7 United States Laura Martino United States Terri Gilreath United States Marci Greer United States Laura Martino Australia Heather McKay
8 United States Linda Prefontaine United States Rita Hoff United States Terri Gilreath United States Caryn McKinney United States Liz Alvarado
9 United States Francine Davis United States Jennifer Harding United States Peggy Gardner United States Marci Greer United States Diane Bullard
10 United States Janell Marriott United States Vicki Panzeri Canada Heather Stupp United States Brenda Barrett United States Cindy Baxter

Most years in top 10

RankPlayerYears
1.United States Rhonda Rajsich22
2.United States Cheryl Gudinas21
3.Mexico Paola Longoria16
3.United States Jackie Paraiso16
5.United States Kerri Wachtel12
5.United States Molly O'Brien12
7.Mexico Samantha Salas11
7.United States Lynn Adams11
7.United States Marci Drexler11
9.Colombia Cristina Amaya10
9.Argentina Maria Jose Vargas10
11.United States Adrienne Fisher9
11.United States Michelle Gould9
11.United States Caryn McKinney9
11.United States Kristen Bellows9

Players ranked #1 at season's end

Years ended No. 1
1.Mexico Paola Longoria13
2.United States Michelle Gould7
3.United States Lynn Adams6
4.United States Cheryl Gudinas4
4.United States Rhonda Rajsich4
6.Australia Heather McKay3
6.United States Jackie Paraiso3
8.Mexico Montserrat Mejía1
8.United States Caryn McKinney1
8.Canada Christie Van Hees1

References

  1. "Video". CNN. October 29, 1984.
  2. "Racquetball: May/June '03 Feature". Archived from the original on 2003-08-02. Retrieved 2003-08-02. Racquetball Magazine article
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20050824155731/http://ladiesproracquetball.com/ 2005 WPRO website
  4. http://wprotour.com/documents/Rock_And_The_Role.pdf WPRO Press Release
  5. "KWM Gutterman World Singles and Doubles Open Racquetball Championships - LPRT Singles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  6. "2023 LPRT Turkey Shoot". R2 Sports. R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  7. "LPRT Turkey Shoot - Doubles". R2 Sports. R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  8. "LPRT 31st Annual Christmas Classic". R2 Sports. R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  9. "LPRT 31st Annual Christmas Classic - Doubles". R2 Sports. R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  10. "LPRT 2024 Arizona Open". R2 Sports. R2 Sports. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  11. "LPRT 2024 Arizona Open - Doubles". R2 Sports. R2 Sports. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  12. "End of season rankings 2023". Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour. LPRT. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  13. "LPRT - Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour" (PDF). Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  14. "LPRT - Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour" (PDF). Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  15. "LPRT - Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour". Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  16. "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2006-07-03. Retrieved 2006-07-03. Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
  17. "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2007-06-09. Retrieved 2007-06-09. Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
  18. 1 2 3 "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2003-02-14. Retrieved 2003-02-14. Ladies Professional Racquetball Association
  19. https://web.archive.org/web/20030720144454/http://ladiesproracquetball.com/ Ladies Professional Racquetball Association
  20. "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2005-08-26. Retrieved 2005-08-26. Ladies Professional Racquetball Association
  21. Racquetball magazine, July–August 2001
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "WIRT Results". Archived from the original on 2003-06-07. Retrieved 2003-06-07. Women's International Racquetball Tour
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2003-06-07. Retrieved 2003-06-07. Women's Professional Racquetball Association
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.