Team Florida's Excellence at the 2022 Junior Nationals!

January 29, 2023 SARASOTA - The 54th Annual Florida State Singles Racquetball Championships were held on January 27-29, 2023, in Sarasota at CoreSRQ North Branch. An even 100 players from around the state battled for state titles in 19 different divisions. Andrew Kapec served as tournament director on behalf of the Florida Racquetball Association. President Rod Van Dyke and Vice President Gary Wargo were instrumental in putting the event on as well. The FRA would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions: Jeffrey Thompson (JT RB) for streaming and commentating on the matches. The streaming has been a great feature for the last couple of state events. Kyle Ziegler and Core SRQ staff for assistance with tournament prep, internet connection, and other troubleshooting throughout the weekend. Cheri and Donnie Morrow - for coordinating meals for the event. Brendan Anthony, Kyle Artman, Matt Fontana, and Sam Schulze for all around help: IT work, working the desk and with refereeing on demand. A bunch of players for extra contributions (example: help with reffing): Darron Toston, Chad Beacher, Luis Macias, Lincoln Andres-Black, Larry Keshner, Silvio DIaz, Rodolfo Valdes Perez, and Gene Fry to name a few.

FRA Annual Awards Definitions Nominations for these awards are provided to the FRA Board from the membership. The FRA Board votes to determine the winners. The Florida Cup Awards are determined by FRA Ranking points in the Open division throughout the FRA Season. The season starts with State Singles and then ends prior to the next State Singles. Men’s Skill Player of the Year This is awarded to the Florida male skill player of any skill level that has provided the most outstanding contribution to Florida racquetball through active participation this past season. Extra consideration is given to the player that represented Florida well by competing at National and World events. This is not necessarily the highest ranked or best open-level player in Florida. This can be for any outstanding skill division male player in Open, Elite, A, B, or C divisions. Women’s Skill Player of the Year This is awarded to the Florida female skill player of any skill level that has provided the most outstanding contribution to Florida racquetball through active participation this past season. Extra consideration is given to the player that represented Florida well by competing at National and World events. This is not necessarily the highest ranked or best open-level player in Florida. This can be for any outstanding skill division female player in Open, Elite, A, B, or C divisions. Pete Scondras Memorial: Men’s Age Player of the Year This is awarded to the Florida male player that provided the most outstanding contribution to Florida racquetball through active participation this past season primarily in age-based divisions. Extra consideration is given to the player that represented Florida well by competing at National and World events. This is not necessarily an older player or the highest ranked player. It is just for players that focus primarily on age-based men’s divisions of any age, 24- to 90+. Formerly “Men’s Age Player of the Year” (2007-2017). Women’s Age Player of the Year This is awarded to the Florida female player that provided the most outstanding contribution to Florida racquetball through active participation this past season primarily in age-based divisions. Extra consideration is given to the player that represented Florida well by competing at National and World events. This is not necessarily an older player or the highest ranked player. It is just for players that focus primarily on age-based women’s divisions of any age, 24- to 90+. Most Improved Male Player of the Year This is awarded to the Florida male player that provided the most outstanding contribution to Florida racquetball through active participation this past season and showed the most dramatic improvement in their skills on the court. This could be an Open, Elite, A, B, or C player that has improved and continues to progress by moving-up and starting to compete in higher skill divisions. Extra consideration is given to the player that represented Florida well by competing at National and World events. Most Improved Female Player of the Year This is awarded to the Florida female player that provided the most outstanding contribution to Florida racquetball through active participation this past season and showed the most dramatic improvement in their skills on the court. This could be an Open, Elite, A, B, or C player that has improved and continues to progress by moving-up and starting to compete in higher skill divisions. Extra consideration is given to the player that represented Florida well by competing at National and World events. Junior Male Player of the Year This is awarded to the Florida male junior player that qualified by age to play junior divisions for all or a majority of this past season (ages 6 to 19). This junior player provided the most outstanding contribution to Florida racquetball through active participation this past season. Extra consideration is given to the player that represented Florida well by competing at National and World events. Consideration is also given to juniors that play in both adult divisions and junior divisions. All candidates must have played a minimum of 3 indoor sanctioned events in the season to be considered. This does not need to be the highest ranked or best junior male player in Florida. Junior Female Player of the Year This is awarded to the Florida female junior player that qualified by age to play junior divisions for all or a majority of this past season (ages 6 to 19). This junior player provided the most outstanding contribution to Florida racquetball through active participation this past season. Extra consideration is given to the player that represented Florida well by competing at National and World events. Consideration is also given to juniors that play in both adult divisions and junior divisions. All candidates must have played a minimum of 3 indoor sanctioned events in the season to be considered. This does not need to be the highest ranked or best junior female player in Florida. Kevin List Memorial: Men’s Sportsmanship Award This is awarded to the male player that has shown outstanding sportsmanship. Consideration is given to the contributions they made this past season, but the candidate’s contribution over their years of play is also factored in. This player exemplifies the greatest positive attitude on and off the court. Consideration is given to specific incidents that have been witnessed showing fair play and kindness above and beyond what has come to be the expected standard. This person may speak their mind or make their case on the court, but after discussion they are never abusive or argumentative. This person exemplifies great sportsmanship by conducting themselves with poise when they referee fairly to benefit the tournament experience for all. Formerly both “Men’s Sportsmanship Award” (2015-2016), and “Sportsmanship Award” 2007-2015). Women’s Sportsmanship Award This is awarded to the female player that has shown outstanding sportsmanship. Consideration is given to the contributions they made this past season, but the candidate’s contribution over their years of play is also factored in. This player exemplifies the greatest positive attitude on and off the court. Consideration is given to specific incidents that have been witnessed showing fair play and kindness above and beyond what has come to be the expected standard. This person may speak their mind or make their case on the court, but after discussion they are never abusive or argumentative. This person exemplifies great sportsmanship by conducting themselves with poise when they referee fairly to benefit the tournament experience for all. Tournament Director of the Year This is an acknowledgement award presented to the most outstanding Tournament Director of the Year. You should take into consideration their attention to detail and quality of tournaments. You may also focus on the quantity of superior of tournaments. And lastly, you may also take into consideration the director’s long-term commitment to running sanctioned tournaments in Florida. President’s Award This award given out at the sole discretion of the FRA President. This is an acknowledgement award that can be given out for many reasons. This could be for somebody’s exemplary contribution in the current season that made a great difference and has not yet received credit. This could be earned through volunteerism, coaching, Board membership, running tournaments, giving clinics, etc. Going above and beyond their calling to be supportive of racquetball in Florida. Lifetime Achievement Award This is an acknowledgement award to be awarded to a male or female. The recipient must have contributed to racquetball or played racquetball over at least a 10 year period of time sometime in their life, and must be a minimum of 30 years old. This award is given to the person that over a lifetime has contributed their time and support to enhance, promote, improve, and advance the sport of racquetball within Florida without the primary goal of personal or financial gain. You may certainly put consideration to their service to racquetball outside of Florida, but they must have had at one time a personal emphasis to improve Florida racquetball. You may put into consideration their racquetball playing, competing, coaching, volunteering, racquetball board membership, tournament directorship, league management, rules education, and their contribution to juniors or new people entering the sport. This is an acknowledgment award, meant to only be given one time to any one individual. FRA Florida Cup – Men’s Open Seasonal Singles Champion The Florida resident male player with the most FRA ranking points in the amateur Open division becomes the Seasonal Champion and the recipient of the annual seasonal Men’s Florida Cup. The season begins at State Singles. To qualify, you must play a minimum of any 2 Florida indoor sanctioned tournaments in the amateur Men’s Open Singles division. However, to qualify you must compete in the Men’s Open Singles division in at least 1 of the 3 following qualifying Florida tournaments: 1) FRA’s Florida State Singles Championships. or 2) Florida’s Regional Qualifier or 3) Florida’s IRT Tier-1 Pro Stop Because of the high quality skills and the high participation numbers at this event, for the purpose of the Florida Cup competition, this tournament will receive FRA’s regional level points for the amateur Open division, regardless of whether this tournament is designated and sanctioned as the official USAR Florida Regional Qualifier, or not. If these qualifications are met, the player earns ranking points based on the established FRA ranking system. In addition, points can be earned in the amateur Open division at any Florida indoor sanctioned tournament, any out-of-state indoor sanctioned tournament, at any USAR Regional Singles, and at national level events such as USAR National Singles and world level events such as the US Open, as long as it is in the amateur Open division. The Florida resident player with the most accumulative amateur Open FRA ranking points during the season earns the Florida Cup. This is not a voted on award. The Florida Cup is presented at FRA’s State Singles. FRA Florida Cup – Women’s Open Seasonal Singles Champion The Florida resident female player with the most FRA ranking points in the amateur Open division becomes the Seasonal Champion and the recipient of the annual seasonal Women’s Florida Cup. The season begins at State Singles. To qualify, you must play a minimum of any 2 Florida indoor sanctioned tournaments in the amateur Women’s Open Singles division. However, to qualify you must compete in the Women’s Open Singles division in at least 1 of the 3 following qualifying Florida tournaments: 1) FRA’s Florida State Singles Championships. or 2) Florida’s Regional Qualifier or 3) Florida’s LPRT Tier-1 Pro Stop Because of the high quality skills and the high participation numbers at this event, for the purpose of the Florida Cup competition, this tournament will receive FRA’s regional level points for the amateur Open division, regardless of whether this tournament is designated and sanctioned as the official USAR Florida Regional Qualifier, or not. If these qualifications are met, the player earns ranking points based on the established FRA ranking system. In addition, points can be earned in the amateur Open division at any Florida indoor sanctioned tournament, any out-of-state indoor sanctioned tournament, at any USAR Regional Singles, and at national level events such as USAR National Singles and world level events such as the US Open, as long as it is in the amateur Open division. The Florida resident player with the most accumulative amateur Open FRA ranking points during the season earns the Florida Cup. This is not a voted on award. The Florida Cup is presented at FRA’s State Singles. Men’s Doubles Player of the Year This award is presented at State Doubles. This is awarded to the Florida male doubles player of any skill level that has provided the most outstanding contribution to Florida racquetball through active participation in doubles within Florida indoor sanctioned tournaments this past season. Extra consideration is given to the player that represented Florida well on the national scene with achievements in doubles at National and World events. Women’s Doubles Player of the Year This award is presented at State Doubles. This is awarded to the Florida female doubles player of any skill level that has provided the most outstanding contribution to Florida racquetball through active participation in doubles within Florida indoor sanctioned tournaments this past season. Extra consideration is given to the player that represented Florida well on the national scene with achievements in doubles at National and World events. Florida Indoor/Outdoor Racquetball Ambassador This award is presented at State Doubles. This is awarded to the Floridian that has contributed the most to the cross marketing and uplifting of both the Florida indoor racquetball community and the Florida outdoor racquetball community. This could be a cross-over player, a director, or a contributor of any kind.

Rick Bernstein hosted the Florida Senior Games at the DPJCC in Davie, Florida. The two-day event drew 55 players from across the Sunshine State.