Laughlin IP best military racquetball player

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Joel Langton
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A Laughlin lieutenant colonel is the nation's best military racquetball player in his age and classification.
 
Lt. Col. Don Jorgensen, a 96th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot who works and flies with the 86th FTS as an assistant director of operations, was named the top military racquetball player at the 2009 USA Racquetball National Singles Championships held in Houston May 20 through 25. USA Racquetball is the national racquetball governing body and oversees the U.S. Olympic team. More than 500 players competed in the tournament.
 
The 44-year-old has been playing racquetball regularly for 12 years, ever since his arrival at Laughlin. 

"At Laughlin, there have been some great players pass through, and they've all helped me improve my game," said Colonel Jorgensen. "Because of them, I became more competitive as the years went by." 

So, he entered the Texas State Championships March 27 through 29 where he won the 30/40B Division and placed 7th in the B Division as well. Most importantly, it qualified him for the National Singles Championships in Houston. There, he competed in three different divisions, playing a total of 10 matches of 23 games and 3 tie-breakers. "That's a lot for any racquetball player, especially when everyone is so evenly matched in every division," Colonel Jorgensen said. 

The 'old man' as he's referred to by his flying peers, managed to win the National Title in the Military Men's B Division and finished third in the 40 Plus Bs Division. The 40 Plus indicates that he's over 40-years-old, and the B Division indicates the level of play.
He finished the 5-day tournament with an 8-2 record and every victory was hard fought.

"Every match was competitive," he said. "It wasn't like I was blowing people away. Everybody I played was a good player and I just played well."