Jack Huczek
 Huczek at 2006 Worlds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nationality | American | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
January 13, 1983 Michigan, United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residence | Dallas, Texas, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 175 lb (79 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Racquetball | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turned pro | 2000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retired | May 24, 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National finals | 1st 2001, 2004, 2004, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest world ranking | No. 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Jack Huczek (born January 13, 1983) is a retired American professional racquetball player. Huczek was the #1 men's professional player at the end of the 2006-2007 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season, and was #4 at the end of the 2010-11 season. But prior to the end of that season, Huczek announced his retirement from the IRT on May 24, 2011.[1]
Professional career
Huczek made his first IRT appearance at 17, in 2000, and won his first IRT event at age 19. Only five players have won a men's pro tour tournament at a younger age*: Steve Serot (at 17), Marty Hogan (17), Brett Harnett (17), Tim Sweeney (18), and Cliff Swain (18).[2]
That win was in Huczek's first season on the tour full-time, and helped him finish 5th in the 2001-02 season end rankings. In 2002-2003, he was 4th, and then 2nd for three straight seasons behind Kane Waselenchuk.[2]
In his pro career, Huczek won 29 IRT tournaments in 126 appearances on tour. He had a winning career record against all other regular tour players except for Sudsy Monchik and Waselenchuk.[2]
International career
As good as his pro career was Huczek's record was better playing internationally on Team USA. In ten appearances, he won seven gold medals in singles, two silver medals and a bronze, as well as a silver medal in doubles. The last gold medal came at the 2009 World Games, when he defeated fellow American Rocky Carson in the final.
Huczek's first appearance with Team USA was at the 2002 Tournament of the Americas (now Pan American Championships), when he lost in the semi-finals to Javier Moreno of Mexico. However, Huczek then went on a gold medal streak, winning three straight International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in 2002, 2004 and 2006, two Pan Am Championships in 2003 and 2005, and the 2003 Pan American Games.[3]
Huczek's record at the IRF World Junior Championships will likely never been broken or even equaled. He won 11 consecutive World Junior titles beginning with the Boys 8 and under World Junior title in 1992, and continuing with two in each successive age division (10 & under, then 12, 14, 16, and finally 18 & under) until 2002.[4]
US championships
Huczek has won the US Nationals[5] four times, first in 2001, then again in 2004, 2005, and 2009. He also won the US National doubles title three consecutive years from 2004-2006 with partner Rocky Carson.
Personal
In August 2009, Huczek married Christie Van Hees, a Canadian, who is herself a champion racquetball player having won two IRF World Championships and six Canadian Championships. Originally from Michigan, Huczek currently resides in Dallas, Texas with Van Hees and their daughter.
See also
References
- ↑ "Head Sports Press Release". head.com.
- 1 2 3 "IRT Historical Data Archive". bossconsulting.com.
- ↑ "IRF website". internationalracquetball.com.
- ↑ "IRF World Junior Championships". internationalracquetball.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
- ↑ "Singles Champions". usaracquetball.com.
External links
| Sporting positions | ||
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| Preceded by Kane Waselenchuk |
Number 1 Men's Pro Racquetball Player 2006-2007 |
Succeeded by Rocky Carson |