3rd Annual 2000 Buehler Winter Classic

Eugene Coyle and Leo Klimaitis three-peat as Open/A Doubles champions at the Buehler YMCA 3rd Annual Winter Open Racquetball Classic. However, they did not have to do it in an 11-10 tie breaker as in their two previous outings. This year the defending champions never had to play a tie-breaker on their quest. Eugene also was a three-peat champion in the Men's Open singles playing like a man in a rush through all the competition. Only John Bartholomey scored double digits against him.

The tournament saw unusually high draw with 9 in the Open, 14 in A division, 16 in the B's, 20 in the C's, and 12 in the drop-down D division. A lot of great games, despite the fact that the Illinois women skipped the weekend for the most part (thanks to Gail Parzygnat and Ellen Somberg for keeping the Men's C and D draws honest and no thanks to the other 'great women of the state who promote only their clubs....too bad for them). The number one and two seeded players in all three letter divisions never made it to the finals. Ben Croft, who already won the Men's B at the Southlake and Men's B at Turkey Shoot this season, put on a crowd pleasing display by destroying the Men's A bracket. Seeded seventh, Ben defeated Bob Morrison, second seed, John Bartholomey and third seed Kevin Johnson before facing Joey Brownlee in the finals. People jammed the bleachers to watch "the kid" play and he did not disappoint those who came to see a good match. In other action, Brian Johnson wins again at a YMCA tournament, this time with a full draw, by defeating Dan Pepin in the B finals, 15-13, 15-6. We'll see him next year in Men's A, if not sooner. US Open D champ, Sid "Mr. Racquetball Magazine" Harshavat was defeated by Brian Cody in the C finals 15-13, 15-2. Everyone seemed to have lots of fun as is typical with YMCA tournaments. Hope to see all of you next year. --Sean Nelson

Event		First Place		Second Place		Semis		Quarters
Men's Open (9)		Eugene Coyle		John Bartholomey		Al Rubiano Doug Halverson		Ben Croft Troy Stevens Chris Selvig Sean Nelson
Men's A (14)		Ben Croft		Joey Brownlee		Dan Flood Kevin Johnson		Pat Taylor Al Rubiano Keith Wiener John Bartholomey
Men's B (16)		Brian Johnson		Dan Pepin		Gary Trekker Frank Aguilar		Matt Clark Greg Benjanin Grant Macuba Rick Lukens
Adult C (20)		Brian Cody		Sid Harshavat		John Eliasik Ellen Somberg		Grant Macuba Dan Offerman Matt Clark Vito Rubiano
Adult D (12)		John Wiemhoff		Scott Niemic		Bob Woycheese George Kostidis		Phil Sweeney Jim Schevers Scott Wadis Scott Naumann
Adult Open/A Doubles (9)		Eugene Coyle/Leo Klimatis		Sean Nelson/Troy Stevens		Doug Halverson/Dan Flood Greg Benjamin/Tad Smith		Gail Parzygnat/Bob Morrison Bob Morrison/Bob Browman Jim Walker/Brian Cody Phil Schmitt/Bill Disico
Adult B Doubles (6)		Phil Schmitt/Bill Disico		Jim Walker/Brian Cody		Greg Benjamin/George Kostidis Scott Naumann/Lanshier		Gail Parzygnat/Bob Morrison Bob Morrison/Bob Browman

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