Congrats to Jay Miller on reaching the final of the 40+ National Singles, and good luck to all our local entries at the Nationals in Kansas City this year.

WHO SAYS HANDBALL AFTER 65 IS SO HARD?
Looking at the Nationals draws you would think the numbers over 65 would be lighter but that's not the case at all. In fact the demographics supports the age groups now over 60. Taking Virginia as an example, the average age of the 150 players is right near 58. The conventional wisdom may still be that being retired and 65 means taking it easy in the rocking chair for some people. But not Lew Buckingham of Greencastle, PA. At 75+, Lew, competing in his umpteenth National event (yes he plays 3 wall too), has won yet another title. Even when he doesn't get to the top notch you can count on him getting close! Lew has said he enjoys nationals events far more because he only has to play once a day. Of course being in these events also means a better caliber of player too. In San Diego with Len a strong partner, Lew has won another title. In his own words "I've never paid much attention to the national title program and have only a recollection of the titles that it's either 5 or 6 wins in this regard. This has been primarily because only national wins are counted, not Canadian, YMCA, or World tournaments. I'm pleased Joe Lenhardt and I won this one, but not much more so than winning a local or regional tournament, as good, strong competition is everywhere. I've never had the attitude of only going to tournaments I thought I could win. I have enjoyed the game over the years and more importantly the many friends and acquaintences we've developed as both partners and opponents. I'm going to try the Master Singles in Houston next month and hope to get a tee shirt that fits me. I won this year in the recent doubles tournament largely because of a strong partner and we were a little better that weekend than our opponents. We'll see what the nationals in Kansas City brings. Thank you for both your kind words and recognition, they are much appreciated by this "aging lion" ".

Don Brodie exemplifies what you would think a retired marine is in many ways. But he is not retired he works for Lockheed Martin near DC and now 70+ he travels to several events a year like the Semper Fi in California and his home state event, the Hoosier Handball state outing. Don won the Indiana 70+ Master there just a few weeks back. Don has had many knee, hip and other surgical replacements over the years but he keeps bouncing back. Once a marine always a marine. He had cancerous prostrate problems too but again he loves the game and is an outstanding USHA official as well, having attained a class 4 level rating. Karl Lady the youngest of this "semi retired" group just 65+ is one of the greatest and most quietest supporters of our sport you will ever find. He has stepped up and contributed to the USHA funds with no fanfare. He is also a fine player as well. He also has had cancerous prostrate problems along with other vital organs not working so well. But he has recovered and has been on a tear recently. He has managed wins in the Maryland State Doubles and in singles. More recently he wond the 60+ in Orlando, Florida in February.

HANDBALL AGENDA
In the San Diego National Masters, Dan Zimet teaming with Norm Dunne from California got to the semis when they ran into a team some might have heard of or at least the guy playing the right side, Naty Alvarado Jr. Comments heard while this match went on ranged from "sure why not let a current pro play in this 35+ division to "well, I don't think it's exactly fair". Many people were accepting it since handball is such a small group anyway. It would be interesting to see peoples opinions on this matter but the result was not surprising with the Alvarado team, although starting slow, stepping it up and winning in two. Their power displayed on serves was quite impressive.

Dave Hinkleman with his partner Terry Nett advanced to the semis in the 60+ before being eliminated. They were seeded 2nd by virtue of their great win in Minneapolis last year, but a nagging ankle injury to Nett kept them from going farther.

In the 65's a former Richmond native back in the 90's by the name of Jim Ward, won his first of any category title. The southpaw from St Louis said he has been playing 42 years so was glad to finally get one. Teaming with another veteran lefty by the name of Jim Consnention of Kansas City, won their bracket. And yes if you think it's odd that two leftys won you would be correct. According to USHA Vern, it's only happened once before.

In the 50's none of the big names like Kirk Corrigan, Dohman, and Sterret showed up. The first two seeds from CA were eliminated in the first round.

In the 55's Fitzgerald/Carillo won handily and host Marc Penick and his partner beat the very tough Roberts brothers in the 45's.

TOLEDO UPDATE ON 5 YEAR BRACKET DOUBLES ADDITIONS
Vern at USHA has seen the light that indeed more brackets are needed at the 5 year intervals of 50's and 60's. With so many guys in this age group in the recent past they had to open up B singles. So now doubles must expand. This might help some other teams who have to play a "young 50's" team like Sterret/Dohman. Or in the 60's, the 65 bracket needs a rest from the younger fresher 60's.