tournament's directors, hosts and many of the players who had attended the Women's Senior/Masters since its inception. In addition, awards were presented to the finishers in the divisions that had been decided at that point. This year, a snowstorm in the northeast just before the championships made getting to Baltimore difficult for many players, with numerous flight delays and cancellations. Several arrived very late Thursday night and didn't get much sleep before having to play early matches on Friday. However, only a couple of matches needed to be re-scheduled due to late arrivals. The Women's Senior/Master Nationals is a great tournament. It is run well, has great hospitality, lots of fun, camaraderie and most of all, lots of the thing we all love to do -playing! That's why participation has steadily increased .since the event began. Next year's event will be held January 19-21, 2001 at the Spectrum Club in Canoga Park, California. If you're a female player over 35 - put this one on your calendar! FINAL RESULTS 35+: Kim Whalen (WI) def. Solanna Taragan (CA) [2,3] 40+: Debra Tisinger (CA) def. Sallie Benedict (VA) [6,10] 45+: Susan Pfahler (FL) def. Meena Evans (NC) [6,6] 50+: Terry Rogers (CA) def. Mary Jo Murray (FL) [6,10] 55+: Sharon Hastings-Welty (OR) def. Margaret Hoff (IL) [280-257] 60+: Gloria Piscoran (OR) def. Jean Tull (VA) 65+: Jo Kenyon (FL) def. Lola Markus (IL) 70+: Reta Harring (WI) def. Dorothy Vezetinski (WA) 75+: Helen Deysher (PA)
Lori [Basch] Lepow is a long-time player from Central Florida, who is nationally ranked #2 in W30+ and #7 in W25+. In her first year at the Women's Senior Master event, she reached the W35+ semi-finals, following her title win in Women's 30+ at the 1999 U.S. OPEN last December.
Keynote speaker Sandy Coffman was transported in time when she saw the photo of herself (above), taken from a story which ran in the july 1977 issue of National Racquetball, entitled "Luring Women into Racquetball." Coffman was on hand at the USRA's annual Leadership Conference, to kick off the proceedings with her own special enthusiasm.
Singles Champion Passes Away Gerald Stoltmann, the 1997 men's 60+ national singles champion, died of pancreatic cancer April29, 1999 in his home in Mequon, Wis. Stoltmann also captured the 1997 U.S. OPEN men's 60+ title during his career. Born October 19, 1936, in Milwaukee to Isabel and John Stoltmann, Gerry was an all-city basketball player in high school. He also competed in track, cross country and football, and played golf. He did not take up racquetball until1970 when someone invited him for a game. He first competed nationally in 1988, and his wife Rose joined him in playing during the SO's. Together they traveled around the U.S. playing in tournaments in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Boston and many other cities Stoltmann is survived by his wife Rose and two sons, Andrew of Chicago and Scott of Mequon.
March - April 2000
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