Racquetball champion Rocky Carson has re-signed a long-term endorsement deal with Ektelon after a six-year hiatus from tthe Ektelon team. The new deal with Ektelon will allow Carson to pick up an O3 racquet this year and play with the company’s entire line of racquetball products.
Carson, nicknamed the “California Kid” by his peers, entered the sport as one of the top juniors ever to play the game. Carson began his professional career with Ektelon at age 15. He is recognized as the top outdoor player in the world, dominating the outdoor circuit during the past three years and winning nearly every major tournament in the sport including the Ektelon-WOR Championships two of the past three years. Carson is the only male player in the sport to win the national indoor singles and doubles championship and the national outdoor singles championship in the same year.
“Right now, I am living my life-long dream,” said Carson. “My goal from the first time I stepped onto the court has been to become the best player in the sport, and I believe Ektelon’s great product line will take my game to the next level. I am very impressed by Ektelon’s innovative vision to grow the sport, and I plan to be involved with the company long after my pro career has ended.”
Only 27-years old, Carson began the 2006 season ranked No. 6 on the IRT Tour, but rose quickly to No. 3, attributing his success to playing outdoors. He went on to become the 2006 National Singles and Doubles Champion, which qualified him for the top spot on the U.S. National Team. “Rocky’s success on indoor and outdoor courts ties perfectly to one of our key brand initiatives – to grow the sport through outdoor events,” said Ektelon General Manager Scott Winters. “Ektelon plans to develop more youth program initiatives around Rocky’s experience. We feel that Rocky is the most marketable player on the tour, and we have big plans for him, which will be announced later this year.”
“Rocky is the hottest player in the sport right now, and we can’t wait until he gets an Ektelon O3 racquet in his hands,” said Andy Roberts, Pro Player Director at Ektelon. “Rocky is the perfect fit for our pro team, which includes many of the top players who are all doing great things on and off the court. Our goal is to help Rocky achieve his goals and help to make him the most visible and influential racquetball player in the sport.” Carson lives in Ladera Ranch, Calif. with his wife and two children.
ELLIS AND RAJSICH ON PORTABLE COURT AT JUNIOR WORLDS *Special thanks to Team Ektelon Pro John Ellis for the following article.
EKTELON JUNIORS LIGHT IT UP IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN . . .
December 15th – 21st marked the 18th IRF Junior World Championships in Tempe, AZ at the very popular ASU Student Recreations Center. This facility has graciously opened their doors to the USAR and now IRF events, offering 14 beautiful glass back wall courts. More than 300 players from 16 countries competed in this Olympic Format event. Thanks to Ektelon’s National Events Coordinator, Darryl Warren, Ektelon was the prominent company supporting the Junior Worlds. Other than the play, our booth was the main attraction and looked fantastic throughout the tournament. Local retail account Key Sports was also set up and selling well to the many international families in need of Ektelon equipment.
The future looks very bright for Ektelon Racquetball as our US and International junior players did outstanding, several capturing World Championships. Our junior girls definitely lead the way but we are proud of both the boy’s and girl’s teams.
Leading the way for Team Ektelon is the newly crowned Girl’s 18 & Under World Champion, Michelle Key. Michelle, in her first year of 18’s, representing the US as the National Champion, had extra motivation at this year’s Worlds as she was not allowed to compete at the 2005 Junior Worlds due to injury. Last year’s decision was controversial as Michelle felt ready to play but was held out by coaches. The memory of that feeling motivated Michelle towards the 2006 title, where she defeated Mexicans Marcela Moreno (7,(14),7) and Karen Torres ((5),9,9) in the semis and finals to win the event.
Following suit in the Girl’s 16 & Under was recently signed Paola Longoria. Paola was the defending champion in the 16’s and showed little signs of giving up her title, as she did not lose a game on her way to a finals victory over fellow Ektelon player, Sharon Jackson (12,2). The Girl’s 16 & Under division was a truly Ektelon affair as Bolivian Ektelon sponsored players Jenny Daza and Yasmine Sabja joined Poala and Sharon in the semi finals. All four are definite prospects for WPRO careers.
Continuing on to the Girl’s 14 & Under division offered up the same type of Ektelon representation as Ecuadorian Veronica Sotomayor fought off USA’s Aubrey O’brien in a classic tie breaker final (5,(12),9). Veronica recently signed with Ektelon following her impressive performances at the IRF World Championships this past summer in the Dominican Republic. This signing along with Paola were the two biggest improvements to our international staff this year. However, be prepared to see a rematch at next year’s Junior Worlds as both girls are in their first year of 14’s.
Although Ektelon is not as well represented on the boy’s side of junior racquetball, we made great strides during this tournament, especially in the Boy’s 18 & Under. Mexico’s #2 player in the 18’s, Armando Landa took the Silver Medal using Ektelon equipment in a tough finals loss to fellow Mexican, David Ortega ((9),11,7). First year-sponsored player Felipe Camacho also represented Ektelon in the semis from Costa Rica. Felipe solidified his mark on the tournament by upsetting US Team player Chris Coy in the quarterfinals (3,6). In addition to the Boy’s 18’s, Ektelon was represented by US Team player, Jake Brendenbeck in the Boy’s 14 & Under Doubles but came up short to the Mexican team in the final, taking home the Silver Medal.
Taking the award as Ektelon’s Most Adorable Player is Junior Elite player, Adam Manilla. Adam had an awesome tournament as he represented the US Team in the Boy’s 10 & Under, losing in a tough semi final to Mexican Andree Parrilla ((12),10,5). The Boy’s 10 & Under had 40 participants and may have been the toughest draw to win in the whole tournament!
To culminate this exciting tournament was the presence of Ektelon WPRO player, Rhonda Rajsich and the ever-popular Ektelon Portable Outdoor Racquetball Court. The portable outdoor court was constructed just outside the facility doors on one of the student tennis courts and was the center of attention for many of the junior players and their families. Rhonda was on location throughout the whole event, mingling with juniors and showing off her outdoor talents with “Play the Pro” exhibitions. To make this event extra special, Ektelon funded the filming by Royster Productions of an Outdoor Racquetball TV Show Pilot. The show featured Ektelon’s new #1 player, Rocky Carson and former IRT pro, John Ellis plus outdoor studs, Greg Solis and Son Nguyen. If events go as planned this pilot will be picked up by ESPN. Wish Scott and Shawn luck as this could be on the threshold of something very big for our sport. Many players and delegates from Latin American countries now see the opportunity that the outdoor game can provide and are interested in building courts in their home countries. Surely there will be more to report on this over time.
On a personal note, I would just like to express my thanks to all of the junior players both in the US and Internationally. Team Ektelon stands out from all others and we are proud of the players we have on staff. We look forward to making strides within the boy’s side of junior racquetball and a continued emphasis on signing the Elite players of Latin America. I can’t wait until next year’s IRF Junior Worlds, as this year’s event may have been the best tournament I’ve ever been a part of. Happy New Year’s to you all and remember to always PLAY WITH FIRE!!!!