Press Release- Las Vegas, Nevada
The Classic Pro Racquetball Tour commissioner, Steve Lerner, in order to help get the word out on the newly formed racquetball tournaments, created the first ever Uniform divison at his CPRT event in Las Vegas. This divison would have competitors from the uniform division of the Military, Police, and Fire. Although the entries did not come in, there were still four guys that wanted to play and that was granted to them by Steve Lerner. The four players represented the WFRA and NPRA, the two new uniform associations that were just formed. Representing the NPRA was President Bill Bearden and Vice-President Mike Welch in one corner. And representing the WFRA was President Peter S. Berger and Vice-President Jeff Weinstein. It was the epic battle that they wanted to see, finally.
The competitors not only came out for the uniform division, they also competed in the Men's B Doubles tournament. Team NPRA, unfortunately could not get past the first round, and were eliminated from the Doubles tournament. However, the President of the NPRA Bill Bearden, played will in his singles tournament, and came in Second Place. Team WFRA, coming off of the Florida State Firefighter Racquetball tournament, where combined they won 6 medals between them (One Gold, Four Silvers, and One Bronze) were able to get out of the first round of the Men's B tournament. However their run was stopped in the second round. Team WFRA also, just for experience and fun played, played in the CPRT 35+ doubles, were they were completely dominated by two pros. Now the real fun began.
It was a warm Sunday morning, and although there were flights leaving all day and the Pros, like Ruben Gonzalez, Craig Lane, and Cliff Swain were watching, the match between Team NPRA and Team WFRA had to happen. They had never played against each other, so the anticipated playful trash talking started and continued through the match. The NPRA took the first set in dominating fashion as the NPRA beat the WFRA 15-4. After comments by Vice-President Mike Welch about trying to get the ball past Peter S. Berger, they changed the strategy. In fact both teams changed their stratigies. However, the change in strategy by Team WFRA was to no availas Team NPRA took the second set 15-6. When the dust settled in the Las Vegas desert, the first round had gone to Team NPRA. After it was all said and done, the match was fun and the camaraderie was enhanced. These two teams will meet again real soon.
Hillsborough County, Florida
Firefighters from all over the State of Florida embarked on a journey to Hillsborough County, Florida to take part in the 2010 State of Florida Firefighter Games Racquetball Tournament, sponsored by the World Firefighter Racquetball Association. Five singles divisions were played with great success. There were two skills divisions as the Open and C's were played. As well as the previous, there were also three more divisions based on an age bracket and skills set. Those divisions were the 30/40+, 50+, and the 30+C division. Besides the singles tournament, the participants also took part in a doubles tournament. That tournament had two divisions which was the A division and C division.
The Men's Open Division was won by Al Caballero from Seminole County Fire Rescue, who took home the Gold Medal. It was a tough competition as Al had to gt through a grueling five person round robin. Caballero did not lose a set or match to capture this title. In second place, and taking Silver, was Mark Victor from Pasco County Fire Rescue. He not only played in the Open division and in second, but was also in the 50+ singles division where he took the Silver as well. He was one of many players that played in three divisions. Coming in third place taking the Bronze medal, in the Open division was co-founder of the World Firefighter Racquetball Association Jeff Weinstein. Jeff represented the Plantation Fire Department. Jeff also competed in the 30/40+ singles division, where he made it through a four person round robin and took home the Gold Medal. The other participants in the Open division were Steve Missett representing Seminole Tribe of Florida Fire Rescue and Tony Esposito from Leigh Acres Fire Rescue.
In the C skill division singles tournament, there were enough competitors to have a single elimination tournament. In this tournament thre were competitors of all ages and the competition was there no matter what happened. Fighting through an injury to his hamstring in the finals of the C division, retired Chief form Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Mike Hanley came away with the Gold Medal. he beat the founder of the World Firefighter Racquetball Association Peter S. Berger, representing Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue, who took home the Silver Medal. Newcomer, and one the best sports in this tournament, was Adam Chevalier from Southern Manatee Fire Rescue. Adam took the Bronze medal when he beat the oldest competitor in the competition, retired firefighter from City of Miami Fire Rescue, tony Murguia. Tony came in fourth place, but was also competing in two more events at the Fire Games this year. Newcomer, and doubles partner of Adam Chevalier, was Adam Perry also from Southern Manatee Fire Rescue finished in fifth place. Jose Marmolejo, from Osceola County Fire Rescue finished sixth place.
In the Age and Skill divisions, as mentioned earlier, Jeff Weinstein representing the Plantation Fire Department took home the Gold Medal in the 30/40+ singles division. Steve Missett from the Seminole Tribe of Florida Fire Rescue, who also competed in the Open division where he came in fourth place, took home the Silver medal in this division. Newcomer, Troy White from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, was able to make it through and take home the Bronze medal. And coming in fourth place Tony Esposito from Lehigh Acres fire Rescue.
In the 50+ division, and one of the best competitions of the tournament, retired firefighter from Miami Beach Fire Rescue Sam Spadone, took home the Gold Medal. Taking home the Bronze medal was a Division Chief from Boca Raton Fre Rescue, Raul Travieso. Coming in fourth was Driver Engineer Mike Bingham from the City of Naples Fire Rescue. Darryl Scott, a division chief from Boca Raton Fire Rescue, finished in sixth place.
In the 30+ division Adam Chevalier from Southern Manatee Fire Rescue, survived a round robin to take home his first Gold Medal and second medal overall. Peter S. Berger, from Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue, took home the Silver medal and his second medal of the games. Coming in fourth place was Jose Marmolejo from Osceola County Fire Rescue.
In the doubles tournament that started on the second day, there were two divisions that were played. In the A Division, Mark Victor from Pasco County Fire Rescue and retired firefighter Dave Kennedy from Spring Hill Fire Rescue took home the Gold Medal. This was the third total medal for Mark Victor (One Gold and two Silvers) at the games this year. Taking the Silver medal were Jeff Weinstein from Plantation Fire Department and Peter S. Berger from Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue. For Jeff, this was the third medal (One Gold, One Silver, and One Bronze) of these games. For Peter, this was the third medal(Three Silvers) of the games. Taking home the Bronze, and showing true grit while fighting through an injury suffered the day before, Mike Hanley from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Sam Spadone from Miami Beach Fire Rescue, were able to get through the competition.
In the C division doubles tournament, Boca Raton Fire Rescue represented by Raul Travieso and Darryl Scott, took home the Gold medal. For Raul, this was his second medal (One Gold and One Bronze) of the games. Taking the Silver medal was the team of Mike Bingham from the City of Naples Fire Rescue and Tony Murguia from the City of Miami Fire Rescue. Taking the Bronze was Southern Manatee Fire Rescue represented by Adam Chevalier and Adam Perry. For Adam Chevalier this was his third medal (One Gold and two Bronze) in the state games. For Adam Perry this was his second medal (Two Bronze) of these games.
The competition was great. The camaraderie was great. The 2010 Florida State Firefighter games had the newcomers and the veterans competing over two days. This was a successful tournament, and the competitors are looking foward to the next event.
