Missoula gets first International Racquetball Tour stop

Missoula, Mont. — The International Racquetball Tour made its first stop in Missoula, bringing top players to town and drawing attention to the sport locally.

The tour featured the No. 1-ranked racquetball player in the world along with other pros competing in the city. Players said the event gave them a chance to introduce racquetball to more people in Missoula and in places the tour had not visited before.

Kane Waselenchuk, the No. 1 racquetball player in the world, said the Missoula stop stood out because it was new for the tour.

"To see new tournaments on the schedule in places that we haven't been before, obviously, Missoula being one of them, which is, really, really cool. So I like coming to new places. And, you know, it's hard for us especially, you know, to promote racquetball in general. And so the more that we can get to these other little places that don't have racquetball, our pro tour, is obviously a huge benefit to us," said Kane Waselenchuk.

Adam Manilla, International Racquetball Tour vice president and a nationally ranked player, pointed to the local venue as a reason the sport could grow in Missoula.

"You got a really nice facility here in Missoula I would love to see more Missoula people playing. You know some college kids its a great activity here for the cold months I know you guys have a lot that here in Montana so you know you have a great facility here that no matter the weather outside you can come in and get a good workout in and have some fun doing it," said Adam Manilla.

The tournament continued tomorrow with semifinals and the championship. Fans could still register for VIP tickets through the International Racquetball Tour or watch the matches on the tour's YouTube channel.