70 Minnesota players competed in the 25th US Open Racquetball Championships this past week. For comparison, the other states with the highest numbers of participation were Florida (83), Texas (61), and California (50). Way to represent, Minnesota! Next year we'll have to grab a Team Minnesota photo in the stadium court.

​Final medal count: 10 gold, 12 silver, 5 bronze, and 13 semi-finals for Team Minnesota!

​Congratulations on a great showing!

A major THANK YOU to all of the Minnesotans who graciously volunteered their time to help ensure a smoothly run tournament, it could not happen without you!

Be sure to channel all of this championship momentum into the next Minnesota tournament, the Ladies Night Out event October 22-23 at Life Time Fitness 98th St in Bloomington, Minnesota. This is a Friday night / Saturday event, giving you back at least some of your weekend. Ladies pay a discounted rate for all divisions, and the event is open to all participants.

Click here to register today, we love to see you play!

Special thanks to Nick Arntz of Remax Realty for sponsoring a fun radar gun shoot out to raise money for Minnesota junior racquetballers! MRA Season Kickoff tournament players could shoot 3 times for $5 to compete against those in their tournament division, with all proceeds going towards the junior fund. This shoot out event raised over $100 for the junior fund! Enjoy some video footage and the results of our amazing juniors.

​Overall results posted below - 

A message from the Minnesota Racquetball Association President, Jonn Olson:

On behalf of the entire Minnesota Racquetball Association, thank you to everyone who participated in the Kickoff Tourney this weekend. After so much time off, it was amazing to see everyone again and we all look forward to many more events this season.

For those who thought our numbers were low for this tourney, in comparison to other state's events we had 3.4% more players than those states including those that haven’t been locked down. I’d consider that very successful and encouraging for a great Minnesota comeback.

Thanks to Nick Arntz and his Remax team for the donations and effort. Because of them the MRA now has skill challenge competitions at each MRA event. At this kickoff tourney it was a radar speed challenge with dozens of players participating and it netted over $100 in donations for Minnesota Juniors! I wonder what the challenge will be at the next tournament in October. Thanks again Nick and Remax for an amazing addition and for bringing more fun to our events!

And once again these events would not be possible without our wonderful racquetball family that volunteers their time (and sometimes money) to pull these events together. It’s a long list and I apologize if I forget someone, but a big thank you to Vallana Perrault, Jeff Anderson, Matt Miller, Mike Brytowski, Mark Anderson, Meaghan Lieburn, Nick Artnz, Andy Wiegand, Broque Brew, and Mike Figgins, and to all those who jump in at a moment’s notice to carry out something that needs doing like Sri Viswanath and Allen Klecker picking up lunch when no one else could. Thanks to ALL of you for keeping our rball community strong and successful!!! And a quick shout out to the MRA Board for all the support!

Speaking of volunteers, I think it's important for everyone to know that the MRA has an incredible 42 volunteers that make up the board and committees!!! Our MN rball family is simply overwhelming!

The MRA will be posting information soon about the upcoming Ladies Night Out event October 22-23.

For those playing in the US Open, good luck and don’t let those medals leave Minnesota!

Minnesota junior racquetballer Ava Kaiser provides a reflection on her experience at the 2021 USA Racquetball Junior Championships, see below.

Kaiser recently accomplished a longtime goal of being ranked number 1 in Minnesota women's singles, article here.

Hello my name is Ava Kaiser and I competed in the Junior National Racquetball Championships in Des Moines, Iowa this past July. It was so exciting to be back playing racquetball at a National event. The environment was electric as everyone came together to play the sport they love. It was great to reconnect and see my friends after 2 years! I competed in my first year of 16U singles and doubles. The competition was tough, after all everyone wants to take home the gold. I was fortunate to win a gold medal with my doubles partner Kareena Mathew, as well as a silver medal in singles. This was the first year we had the pros playing alongside us. They are such great role models to look up to and aspire to become. It made the event even more special. Thank you to everyone who helped me prepare for this tournament as well as the MRA for their continued financial support. 

​Minnesota Racquetball Association is looking to add new tournament players to our tournaments! To that end, we are offering two incentives this tournament season.

Register for the MRA Season Kick Off Tournament today!

Reminder that the MRA Season Kickoff Tournament is fast approaching, Sept 24-25, 2021.

Registration link

We had a great turn out and a good time at the August Singles Shoot Out at Life Time Fitness in Fridley. Thanks to Jonn and Jeff for organizing, and for Jeff for taking photos! View the photo album on Facebook here.

​Results:

The 25th US Open is quickly approaching and looking for volunteers. If you are interested in helping, please look at the areas that are open (website here) and contact Jonn Olson with what area and block(s) of time you’d like to sign up for. You can confirm your time by checking the website at any time. Availability is on a first request basis and Jonn will do his best to keep the website up to date.
 
If you’re playing in the tournament you can still volunteer. If you have a conflicting match during your volunteer time you’ll be given enough time to play your match.
 
If you work at least 12 hours you’ll receive a week long PRO PASS so you can take in all the professional matches you’d like to, at no cost. The Pro Pass is a $139 value. The passes will be available at the registration desk.
 
If you’re a super ambitious person and want to volunteer for a significant number of hours, please contact Jonn Olson directly at 651-485-3771.
 
You can email at jonn@obups.com or text at 651-485-3771 to sign up. Jonn will reply with a confirmation within 24 hours (usually much sooner).

Please find 2021-2022 Minnesota Racquetball tournament dates below; pencil in the dates and we look forward to seeing you on the courts!
​
Watch this space for updates to or confirmation of tentative events.

You can add the MRA event calendar to your device from here
​Note that the tournaments marked "tentative" are subject to change

Yes…that’s right!  SHOOTOUTS AT FRIDLEY HAVE RETURNED!!!
 
NOTE:  If you are planning to attend please let me know so I can plan accordingly for the first shootout back.  I’m guessing we’ll have lots of players so I need to make sure I have enough courts booked.  Thanks!
 
You are invited to join us for a shootout this Saturday morning.  This will be the DOUBLES Mixer format and as usual everyone is welcome (High B players or better please with doubles experience).  Although walk-ins are welcome, please be at the courts by 8:45am so that we can get everyone on a roster and start on time.
 
Registration:          8am to 9am (MUST PAY AT SECOND COUNTER AT FRONT DESK - cash, check, credit/debit card, club tab or LT Bucks) Bring receipt to court #1 to register.
Start Time:            9am sharp!  (Please don’t be late)
End Time:              11:30am +/-
Where:                  Life Time Fitness - Fridley
Cost:                     $15 members / $20 non-members
Prizes:                   Varies
Who:                     Anyone, LTF members and non-members are welcome
Next Shoot Outs:    Aug 7th | Sep 11th | Oct 2nd | Nov 6th | Dec 4th
 
NOTE:  Doubles shootouts will be held the first Saturday of each month when there are no scheduling conflicts. Please watch these notices for date changes (Example: July, Sept, Oct.).
 
Thanks, and I hope to see you Saturday morning!
 
Jonn J. Olson
Racquetball Shootout - LTF
651-485-3771: Text Message & Cell
jonn@obups.com

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Matt Mahowald, Nick Arntz, and Therese Zadnik-Klecker to the MRA Board as our newest directors, and also to Jake Bredenbeck for being re-elected to serve another term.
 
As they step down from the Board, let's give a very heartfelt thank you to Bryan Turtle, Mike Kiedrowski, and Vallana Perrault for their years of personal commitment and dedication to racquetball and the MRA, and their assistance in developing the corporation into what it is today. Thank you!!

The transition of director seats will occur officially at the annual meeting in June.

As a reminder, the Board is still seeking a Tournament Committee Chairperson. This position coordinates and leads the Tournament Committee in setting the tournament schedule, coordinating tournament equipment and helpers, and reporting Tournament Committee updates on monthly Board meetings. As the former Chairperson, Vallana will still be participating on the Tournament Committee as a member and will be available for training and help. Please reach out to the Board if you think you're a good fit for this position!