Sharon Jackson, freshman at the University of Alabama, recently competed in the 20th annual International Racquetball Federation World Junior Tournament held in Tempe, Arizona at the University of Arizona campus. 
Sharon earned a spot on the 2008 USA Team by winning National High Schools and winning three gold medals in the National racquetball tournament held in Concord, California this summer. She also earned national female player of the year honors at the tournament.
Almost 300 participants from 17 countries competed in the World event. Mexico had been the overall World Cup Champion for the past six years and the USA had trained hard and was ready for an upset.
The event began with Opening Ceremonies held at the Tempe Diablo Baseball Stadium. In Olympic style, each team came into the stadium with their countries flag. There were teams from Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Mexico, Costa Rica, South Korea, and Ireland. Sharon, the USA girls team captain, earned the privilege to help carry in the flag for the USA team. This is Sharon’s last year to participate in junior events.
The pool play part of the tournament determined the seeding of the players. Sharon competed in singles and doubles, and won all her matches. She played girls from Costa Rica, Ireland, and Canada. Denise Hayes from Canada defeated Sharon in the quarterfinals last year, but Sharon won this year in an 11-5 tiebreaker. Normally this would place Sharon #2 in the draw, but two members from the same country cannot compete on the same side of the draw. This placed Sharon in the draw against the #1 player, Paola Longoria. Paola played the professional tour for two years and is the current US Open adult woman champion.
In singles, Sharon had a bye in the first round and then beat Christine Richardson from Canada in two games. This placed Sharon in the semi-final round against Paola. Sharon played well, but lost in two to earn the bronze medal in the 18 and under singles division.
In doubles, Sharon and her partner Shannon Inglesby from Oregon were second in the pool play. In the medal round, their first round match was against Canada, the #1 seed. They won in two games over Canada, which set up a match against Mexican team, Paola Longoria and Arantza Loredo. The first game was a tough back and forth battle, but Mexico won 15-14. The second game was also a long fought battle but USA won this one 15-13. In the tiebreaker the Mexican team, playing in an I-formation, won 11-5 in a 90 minute match. This gave Sharon a silver medal in the doubles division. Sharon has accumulated 15 national and one world title in her junior career.
With the help of Sharon’s points and the other 14 members of the USA team, the USA had accumulated enough points to take over Mexico’s 6-year reign. The USA was named World Champions, with Mexico second and Bolivia third. The USA Boys and the girl’s teams also became World Champions.
Sharon would like to thank everyone for his or her support during her junior career. Without the help of the Shelby County Athletic Club, the Al Taylor family, Loper School staff, Katrina Duncan and her family and friends, Carl and Bev Mohr, the Waldron and Shelbyville communities, the members of the Indiana State racquetball Association, the USRA, the USA coaches, and her family and friends, Sharon would not have been able to pursue her dreams.
Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement these past 12 years.
Sharon began her professional racquetball career by winning a gold medal in the Mixed doubles open division at the US Open this fall. She has also earned a 4.0 in the first semester at University of Alabama studying Chemistry. Sharon plans to compete in several professional tournaments around the country this spring. Sharon was featured on the front page of the National racquetball magazine Nov./Dec. issue and will also be on the cover with the team in the Jan/ Feb. issue as well.
| Next > |
|---|
