CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The distinct sounds of racquetballs bouncing off walls and racquets resonated through the gym. Marines crowded around the four racquetball courts at Paige Field House here waiting for their turn to test their skills and to earn points toward the Commanding General’s Cup Series.
Three Marines out-served the competition during this year’s first Cup Series’ racquetball tournament here Jan. 30.
The men’s division games were single elimination, 11-point games, while the women’s division played 9-point games, also single elimination.
Sgt. Erin Andersen, a fiscal noncommissioned officer in charge at 1st Supply Battalion here, won first place in the Women’s Open Division against Pfc. Ashton Mehalic, a warehouse clerk with Combat Logistics Regiment 15 here.
Mehalic gave Andersen more of a challenge than the other three female competitors, admitted Andersen, the 25-year-old Tacoma, Wash. native.
As Andersen was presented her trophy, the men’s novice competitors were quickly moving through their brackets.
Undefeated Gunnery Sgt. Jorge Polanco, an administrations chief with 1st Civil Affairs Group here, wore an ear-to-ear grin as he received his Men’s Novice first place trophy.
While the first two winners showed their elation, the Men’s Open Division winner accepted his trophy with an exhausted smile.
Maj. Robert Guice, director of the Marine Air Command and Control Squadron Experimental, said beating his last challenger was hard because she didn’t make many mistakes.
Capt. Rebecca Wilkinson, the food service director for base, challenged Guice, the Delran, N.J. native with 29 years of racquetball experience, during their two 11-point games and 9-point tie breaker.
Because of Wilkinson’s ranking as 91st racquetball player in the nation, and her five first-place trophies in previous women’s division tournaments, she now competes in the men’s division.
While catching her breath, Wilkinson said Guice has awesome speed and strategy.
Even though there were only three trophies, every participant earned points for their unit. Points are tallied twice a year, and the three units with the most points at the end are awarded cash prizes.
For more information on the CGs Cup Series and the events calendar visit the Marine Corps Community Services Athletics Department website or call (760) 763-0453.
Contact Lance Cpl. Sarah Wolff-Diaz at sarah.wolff@usmc.mil