Jonathan Ferris
Staff writer
The Murray State racquetball club team had a historically successful weekend last weekend at the University of Louisville. All four of the members who traveled with the team received first or second in their categories.
As a team, the Murray State Racquetball Club had 18 wins and only four losses. In singles, Mikey Beckham placed second in men’s collegiate beginner singles. He won three of his four games and his only loss was to fellow Murray State teammate Jason Spouse, who received first in the same category and won all four of his games.
Vice president Nate Brelsford won two of his three games and placed second in men’s collegiate intermediate singles group A. President Eric Riggs finished the successful weekend taking first in in men’s collegiate advanced singles, winning all three games.
In doubles, Beckham and Sprouse took third place in the intermediate division and Brelsford and Riggs won the advanced division.
“This is the first year that the Murray State Racquetball Club has had this much success at a tournament,” Riggs said. “We usually travel to the University of Louisville for one tournament a semester, but this year was the first time the Club has won three different divisions.”
The club was started in the fall semester of 2007 by Coach Jim Railey and then president, Ryan Mimms.
“If it wasn’t for him (Railey), then there would not be a racquetball club,” Riggs said. “He put up his own money for the club to travel and has helped the club throughout the years.”
Riggs also attributed the team’s success to Squire Babcock who has been the club’s advisor since its founding.
Riggs, a senior who started playing racquetball three years ago when he saw the club practicing in the wellness center, has served as the president for the past two years. Senior Nate Brelsford has been the vice president for the last two years as well.
Many colleges around the country participate in organized racquetball. There are regional and national level tournaments for collegiate teams to compete in, including a national championship which is hosted by Arizona State University this year.
“In the future I hope that the Murray State Racquetball Club will be able to attend more of these types of tournaments and keep growing,” Riggs said.
The racquetball team will travel to U of L again next semester and will host a competition here at Murray for students and staff.
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