Hawkes Defeats Gustaveson to Take Racquetball Title
Top-seeded Brian Hawkes of Huntington Beach used a series of line-drive shots to defeat Mike Gustaveson, also of Huntington Beach, 21-7, 21-9, in the men’s singles final of the 15th Southern California Outdoor Racquetball national championships Monday at Orange Coast College.
Hawkes used a barrage of wicked serves for a 12-1 lead in the first game. Gustaveson got as close as 17-7 before Hawkes combined his sharp returns with two more service aces to take the game.
Gustaveson took a 3-0 lead in the second game before Hawkes scored 13 unanswered points using low returns and seven service aces. Gustaveson narrowed the lead to 18-9 before Hawkes scored on two returns and another ace to clinch his third consecutive championship and seventh in the last eight years, along with the $650 first prize.
For Gustaveson, 23, the men’s final was his fifth match in a 11-hour span that began at 9 a.m. Hawkes played only one match Sunday before his encounter with Gustaveson.
“It was hard for me to raise my racket, let alone get in good shots when (Hawkes) was hitting the ball as hard as he was,” said Gustaveson, who earned $300 for second place.
Hawkes, who defeated Rick Sandello of Whittier in his third-round match, 21-9, 21-4, drew an automatic berth into the final because he allowed 43 points, the fewest in the tournament among third-round survivors. Gustaveson, who defeated Eric Fernandez of Huntington Beach, 13-21, 21-14, 11-10, advanced to the finals by defeating Greg Freeze of El Toro, 9-21, 21-18, 11-8
Gustaveson also teamed with Jeff Johnson of Placentia in two doubles matches, including a 21-7, 13-21, 11-8 loss in the final to Dan Southern of Huntington Beach and Paul Olson of Rancho Santa Margarita.
In the women’s singles final, Lynn Adams of Costa Mesa snapped defending champion Martha McDonald’s two-year outdoor winning streak over her with a 21-11, 21-15 victory.
Adams, who won the championship five years in a row before McDonald took the title the last two years, used a combination of shots to break a 6-6 tie and pull away in the first game.
In the second game, McDonald took a 12-5 lead before Adams scored 13 unanswered points. McDonald narrowed the gap to 18-15, before Adams took the last three points to win the match and the $300 first prize.