Non-Competitive Format Lures Women Racquetball Players

Racquetball is a sport for both sexes, but the Washington State Racquetball Association wants more women to take that attitude onto the court.

Since September, a series of monthly women-only round-robin events has been conducted, and last month one started for juniors. Yvonne Calavan of the WSRA hesitates to call them tournaments, a word from which some newcomers to the sport might shy.

``We've found the competitive atmosphere in tournaments is not as appealing to women as a non-competitive environment where they can meet women and interact socially,'' Calavan said.

The women-only gatherings are designed to encourage friendly play among women with similar skills. Organizers match players by ability during an evaluation before the first game at 10 a.m. Seasoned players are on hand to offer tips on how to play and score racquetball.

Most gatherings last three hours and draw about 20 players. A Wenatchee woman even traveled to Seattle to play on a recent Saturday afternoon, Calavan said.

To encourage play, no entry fee is charged - though participants must join the WSRA, which costs $15 annually.

This month's round-robin competition is Saturday for women and Sunday for juniors at Columbia Athletic Club in Kirkland. Season-ending tournaments are planned this summer.

For details, call Calavan at 367-4400.

-- MOBILE 'MOBILES: This weekend, snowmobilers will troop to Loup Loup, participating in hill-climbing events at the ski area near Omak.

The top five qualifying drivers in each class (stock, super stock, modified, doubles) after competition Saturday advance to Sunday's finals. The Loup Loup Snowmobile Hill Climb has been the big drawing card for several years; this weekend's event doubles as the Washington State Hill Climb Championship.

For details, call (509) 826-5124.

-- SCOOP ON HOOPS: The Coliseum, Edmundson Pavilion and Tacoma Dome aren't the only venues for basketball action in the Puget Sound area. Evidence: The Washington Athletic Club recently won its third consecutive Pacific Coast Club Masters Championship at the Bellevue Athletic Club beating San Francisco 74-72.

John DeFranco and Eric Brewe were all-tournament selections, with Jim Rogers, Harley Graham, Michael Hall and Hal Calbom rounding out the over-40s team.

Meanwhile, four teams from last weekend's three-on-three Super Hoops Tournament at the University of Washington will play for the men's and women's championships during halftime of the March 30 Sonics-Dallas Mavericks game.

The men's game features a UW team, with Chris Sheeks, Jason Moffitt and Jack Baldwin, against a group from Wenatchee Valley College. The women's game pits two teams from Central Washington.

Another recreational tournament that traditionally attracts teams from Washington is approaching. The Northwest Basketball Championships, with four divisions, are set for Anaconda, Mont., March 15-17. For information, call (406) 563-3408 or 563-6168.

-- NOTES: At the World University Games in Japan, Seattle University skier Tracy McEwan, who had the fastest training time Sunday, finished second in the women's downhill. Bellevue's Tobey McDonald, a Whitman College freshman, was 18th in that event.

-- Reports from the Okanogan National Forest indicate that Canada geese have returned a bit earlier than normal. Also flying about recently: flycatchers, cedar waxwings, red-winged blackbirds, Stellar's jays and meadowlarks.

-- Portland's Greg Lyon held on to beat 16-year-old Craig Hadley of Seattle Prep in the expert men's division of the Spring Jam indoor rock-climbing meet last weekend at the Vertical Club. Other divisional winners: Peter Schoene and Hilari Albro, novice; Ken Johnson and Julie Russillo, recreation; Evan Thoms and Rita Conley, advanced.