BW men and women win USA racquetball national titles

The Baldwin Wallace University men's and women's intercollegiate racquetball team is one of the best in the country in any division. Ohio Racquetball Association (ORA) Hall of Fame Head Coach Tim Miller and his teams have proven it over and over. Once again this year, Miller and the Yellow Jackets have captured men's and women's USA Racquetball national titles.

"What a great privilege it is to coach such terrific athletes," said Miller, who was inducted into the ORA Hall of Fame in late February. "To be the best team in the nation is a great feat."

Men dominate

The BW men dominated the competition, besting second place Colorado State University by more than 500 points and topping third place Oregon State University by more than 1,000 points. The men's D1 title is the Yellow Jackets' fourth and second consecutive. The Jacket men also have won 11 Division II national titles in Miller's 27 seasons as BW coach.

The men's team consists of seniors Thomas Carter, Manolo Sandoval and Jon Levin, junior Kyle Ulliman, sophomores Daniel Herrera and Ethan Slutzky and freshman Jeremy Dixon. Each of BW's six players claimed either a gold, silver or bronze medal in singles.

"For Thomas Carter to win the singles individual national title and make the USA national team is phenomenal. To have Manolo and Thomas to be crowned the best doubles team in the country is extraordinary," said Miller. "To have all our players make it to the finals in the gold divisions and become USA Racquetball All Americans makes me so proud of them. To win all three gold division doubles championships is unprecedented."

Women repeat with new talent

On the women's side, the Yellow Jackets captured their ninth Division II national title, defeating both Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Rowan University. BW also has won two women's Division I national crowns during Miller's tenure.

The BW women's team consists of seniors Natalie Kendrick, Alex Miller and Courtney Ramey, juniors Carly Myers and Lori Kumorek and sophomore Lily Pattyn, who was the top point winner for the women en route to winning the Red Division gold medal.

"Our women's team winning its second straight Division II championship with three new players this year is a tribute to their determination to become champions," said Miller. "I cannot be more proud of these superb student athletes. Thanks to Baldwin Wallace for its support in helping our Olympic sports be able to compete at the highest level."