2002 USHA Nationals
Coney Island Aug 1-4 2002
by Matt Krueger

	Click for bigger picture
	Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz attending this year's USHA One-Wall Nationals.

On Saturday August 3, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz came down to take in some of the action and enthusiastically stated that "Brooklyn is Handball!." With USHA President Bob Hickman, Vice-President Paul Williams at his sides, the Borough President declared August 3rd, 2002 as United States Handball Association Day in Brooklyn.

Pee Wee plays like a Giant - Earns Slam in One-Wall Nationals

	Click for bigger picture Photo by Holly Koffler-Wooley
	Pee-Wee Castro won both the Men's Open Singles and Doubles.

With temperatures on the courts exceeding the century mark during One-Wall Nationals, No. 9 seed Yuber "Pee-Wee" Castro proved he has a giant heart as he pulled out a 12-21, 21-14, 11-10 tiebreaker win over No. 3 seed Joe Kaplan. "This feels great!" Castro said after receiving the Championship Plate. Castro definitely deserved to enjoy this win, for he endured a tough road to the finals. After defeating a towering Paul Williams in the round of sixteen, Castro pulled off a shocker, edging defending champ Cesar Sala in an exciting tiebreaker win, 13-21, 21-17, 11-10. Castro then overcame the long reach and powerful game of Joe Durso in the semifinals 21-16, 21-13. Said Durso, "I just wasn't playing well today, but Pee-Wee was getting to everything and finishing well."

Tony Roberts helped his partner complete the slam by pulling out a thrilling tiebreaker victory over Cesar Sala and Joe Kaplan, 21-16, 18-21, 11-9. In the rousing tiebreaker Kaplan/Sala opened up a 7-1 lead with sharp drives and kill shots only to have Castro/Roberts storm back to knot the game 7-7. The lead changed hands and with Castro/Roberts ahead at 10-9. Roberts made an incredible get down the right line, and Castro followed it up with a kill shot to wrap up the championship.

Tracy Davis Repeats as Women's Champion

	Click for bigger picture Photo by Holly Koffler-Wooley
	Tracy Davis Repeats as Women's Open Champion.

Tracy Davis recovered from a first game loss and repeated as singles champ downing doubles partner Gladys Miranda, 20-21, 21-12, 11-0. The final wrapped up an excellent tournament for Davis who narrowly missed the One-Wall Slam, and didn't drop a game going into the final.

Completing a perfect end to a comeback story, Calderon, paired with Theresa McCourt to dominate the field and take a Doubles Title in the round robin format. Any outside chance of losing their lead was eliminated, as they finished business with a tiebreaker win over Sydell Smith/Brenda Pares, 20-21, 21-16, 11-5. Ask Anna Calderon a couple of months ago if she would be a contender for a National Title, and she might think you were joking. Apparently, she has become addicted to the game once again making a commitment to play in the Three-Wall Nationals. "I'm going to Toledo. I don't care, I just want to play," she said after her match on Saturday. It's confirmed, and we can expect to see Calderon and McCourt in the Women's Doubles field in Toledo.

See Full Results and reports by Ben Brettner on the Open Singles and Doubles.