Three Top-Seeded Men Are Upset in Racquetball Championships

Three of the eight top-seeded players in the men’s pro singles division were upset Friday on the opening day of the National Outdoor Racquetball Championships at Orange Coast College.

Sixth-seeded Gregg Peck of Austin, Tex., the 1985 national indoor champion, lost to Newport Beach’s Kevin Booth, 21-13, 21-12, in the first round. In another first-round upset, eighth-seeded Bill Huffman lost to Russell Robinson of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 17-21, 21-17, 11-8.

Fourth-seeded Mike Bonhe of Fountain Valley defeated Eric Fernandez, 21-14, 21-14, in a first-round match but was defeated by Fullerton’s Mike Gustaveson, 21-13, 21-15, in the second round.

Top-seeded Dan Southern of Huntington Beach advanced to today’s quarterfinal round by beating David Genevay, 21-3, 21-11, in the first round and Andy DeBoer, 21-6, 21-8, in the second.

Second-seeded Brian Hawkes of Huntington Beach routed Bob Monroe, 21-5, 21-5, in the first round and beat Trey Taylor, 21-7, 21-7, in the second round.

Huntington Beach’s Mark Harding, who is seeded third, swept a pair of matches by beating Gordon Chacho, 21-11, 21-13, in the first round and Steve Alvarez, 21-4, 21-10, in the second.

Fifth-seeded Ed Andrews of Santa Ana defeated Doug O’Brien, 21-13, 21-15, in the first round and then eliminated Greg Freeze, 21-17, 21-9, in the second.

Seventh-seeded Greg McDonald of Fort Lauderdale beat Dean Lingfzetr, 21-15, 21-17, in the first round and defeated Jim Carson, 21-8, 21-10, in the second.

In men’s first-round B-division play, Joe Perez beat Don Wulff, 21-13, 21-19; John Maciel defeated Fred Lockwood, 17-21, 21-11, 11-9; Freddie Saulcedo defeated Neil Fettig, 21-18, 21-18; Fernando Gomez defeated Frank Blankenship, 10-21, 21-12, 11-5, and Bruce Penman defeated Eric Manton, 21-17, 21-13.

In men’s second-round C-division action, George Barrera defeated John Geroch, 21-9, 21-7; Tom Draper defeated Alphonso Ramirez, 21-17, 21-19; Brad Quartucy defeated Gene Kohora, 11-21, 21-17, 11-8; Jim Pijillo defeated Keith Thomas, 21-17, 21-16; Rick Sandello defeated Jack Venus, 13-21, 21-14, 11-3, and Ravie Sohoni defeated Tony Molnar, 21-13, 21-11.

The tournament resumes today at 10 a.m. with women’s pro singles play.