JAN 2007 JUNIOR PLAYER UPDATE: OSCAR RION OCAMPO
Oscar Rion Ocampo, who first popped up on the radar in the 2001 Mistletoe Match-up, is back after leaving for Southern California in 2004. Now 5'-6", 165#, this Virginia born, Filipino kid turned 14 years old this past summer and made his presence felt during the 2006 Virginia racquetball scene.
What's a better way to jump back into the court than with the #1 Pro Player on the IRT? The Virginia Open (APR 2006) paired E-Force sponsored Rion Ocampo and Jack Huczek in an exhibition game to 7 points. After intimidating Jack with a couple of "lethal" warm up shots, Rion rotated back and forth in the service box and rolled out 5 points before Jack won the game.
Later that month Rion got by both Troy & Lance Warigon (MD) to win both the Boys 14- and 16- divisions at the USRA Mid-Atlantic Regional Singles in Severna Park, Maryland (APR 2006.) Junior competition seemed to drop off the tournament scene there after.
Rion competed more with the big boys in the Men's B & C divisions and saw success making a few semi-final appearances in Men's C and taking those he did not beat to tie breakers. Rion made his 1 st final at the Ghostly classic in Crystal City (OCT 2006) and faced Kurt Chen who won his 3rd consecutive Men's C final. Once Rion gets his bearings in the singles court, he will be an (E) "Force" to be reckoned with. Rion is inching his way towards a final in the Men's B divisions as well.
In need of a partner, Rion moved up and played with his Dad at the VA State Doubles Championships (SEP 2006.) Starting in the round of 16, father and son found themselves in the semi-finals of the Men's A division. Rion dominated Rick Taylor and Bill Bouie in the first game when he jumped to a 7-0 start right out of the service box. It was a heated battle of "Rion versus the 2 Goliaths", but Team Ocampo was not able to close it out in the tie breaker.
Rion has also partnered up with Ron Hamilton, Austin Buckner & Bill Hodges in Men's B doubles as well as 3 times with Kelani Bailey, another future star at 12 years old, in Mixed doubles. At the Mistletoe Match-up (DEC 2006), Rion and Kelani took the more mature team of Roger Duberstein & Pam McGrath to a tie breaker in the Mixed Open doubles semi-finals.
Team Ocampo stepped on the court again when Rion partnered up with his Dad in Men's A doubles at the Christmas Classic Pro Am (DEC 2006.) Grinding their way through two early round matches, they found themselves again in the semi-finals versus the cunning Parris Woodbury and Brian "The Blaster" Robles. Playing on the all-glass wall side of court 6, Rion held his own, with precision passing shots, rally ending pinches and amazing diving gets to squeak out the first game 15-14 and leave the 2 veterans in awe of his ability. After back and forth rallies in the tie breaker, Rion managed to only win the respect of the OLDER guys and pass on his referee duty to his Dad.
Now a freshman and Honor Roll student at Warwick High School in Newport News, Rion continues to rampage the courts of the Riverside Club and Langley AFB on a weekly basis. With some wisdom and the occasional ride to the gym from the experienced local players like Bob Steele, Henry Clarke, Brian Pierce, & Rob Jones, persistent tutelage from his Coach/Dad and continued desire for the sport, Rion will soon be flying solo in the higher level divisions and leaving his mark, hopefully not on the back of your calf J.
If you know a promising junior you would like to see in the spotlight, please contact Bonny Simpson at
editor@cvra.org.