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KMC players claimed first place in all six divisions and collected 15 of 17 possible trophies at the third annual Kaiserslautern Invitational Racquetball Tournament held Nov. 20 to 21 at the Kleber Gymnasium.
Local turnout played a role in such an impressive showing. Eighty percent of the 36 entries were KMC residents.
The bulk of those were category C and B players who are the future of racquetball said Gerd Backhaus, tournament director and 415th Base Support Battalion health and fitness coordinator.
“We’ve been pushing hard for years to get participation from players who just hack around during lunchtime or evening challenge courts,” said Backhaus. “Finally, instead of making excuses, they are starting to show up and discover what the regulars knew all along – it is not about the competition but learning and developing camaraderie.”
Kleber Kaserne’s Samuel Charles was the winner of the C division.
“I didn’t expect to win it all. I didn’t have a whole lot of time to practice,” said Charles who played in his second tournament. “Racquetball is a wonderful sport. Other players need to come out. It is not about how great you are. It’s about lifting up the sport and doing something for one’s health,” he said.
The Ladies Professional Racquetball Association’s third-ranked player will be on hand for the next scheduled tournament Dec. 11 at Grafenwöhr.
Call 475-8361/8207 to sign up or obtain details.
