Laura Fenton
Encyclopedia
Laura Fenton born June 28, 1962 is an American racquetball
player. She won two World Championships
in doubles, and finished in the top 10 on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
rankings seven times in her career.
rankings seven times in her career, first in 1993-94 and last in 2005-06. She was ranked #4 twice in 1996-97 and 2000-01.
Fenton was a WPRO finalist three times but never won an event.
won the title in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, defeating Canadians Vicki Shanks and Debbie Ward in the final. Then twelve years later in 2006, Fenton and Aimee Ruiz won the title in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, beating Angela Grisar and Fabiola Marquez of Chile in the final.
Fenton and Paraiso also won doubles at the Pan Am Championships
in 2001.
Fenton twice won the Pan Am Championships
in 2002 and 2003. In 2002, she defeated Canadian Josée Grand'Maître in the final.
Fenton played in two Pan American Games
. In 1999, she was bronze medalist in women's singles, and in 2003 she was silver medalist in women's singles, losing a tie-breaker to Cheryl Gudinas in the final.
Fenton was also a member of Team USA at the 2002 World Championships and got a bronze medal in singles, losing to Jennifer Saunders
in the semi-finals.
, and 1993 with Michelle Gould.
Fenton was second in singles at the 2003 US National Singles Championships, which qualified her for the 2003 Pan Am Games team.
Fenton has a B.A. from Union College
and a masters degree from Western Michigan University
in biomechanics, kinesiology and exercise physicology. Currently, she is an Associate Professor of Health and Exercise Science at La Sierra University in Riverside, Califorinia.
Fenton has one daughter, Jennifer.
Racquetball
For other sports often called "paddleball", see Paddleball .Racquetball is a racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball in an indoor or outdoor court...
player. She won two World Championships
Racquetball World Championships
The World Racquetball Championships, organized by the International Racquetball Federation , were first held in 1981. The second World Championships were in 1984, and have been held every two years since.The World Championships have two parts...
in doubles, and finished in the top 10 on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
The Women's Professional Racquetball Organization is the latest name for the women's professional racquetball tour. It features the world's best players and several events each season - running from September to May - that are mostly played in the USA....
rankings seven times in her career.
Professional career
Fenton didn't play professional racquetball until age 30, but she finished in the top 10 of the Women's Professional Racquetball OrganizationWomen's Professional Racquetball Organization
The Women's Professional Racquetball Organization is the latest name for the women's professional racquetball tour. It features the world's best players and several events each season - running from September to May - that are mostly played in the USA....
rankings seven times in her career, first in 1993-94 and last in 2005-06. She was ranked #4 twice in 1996-97 and 2000-01.
Fenton was a WPRO finalist three times but never won an event.
International career
Fenton won the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in women's doubles twice. In 1994, Fenton and Jackie ParaisoJackie Paraiso
Jackie Paraiso is an American racquetball player. Paraiso was the #1 player on the women's pro racquetball tour at the end of the 1991-92, 1998–99, and 1999-2000 seasons...
won the title in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, defeating Canadians Vicki Shanks and Debbie Ward in the final. Then twelve years later in 2006, Fenton and Aimee Ruiz won the title in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, beating Angela Grisar and Fabiola Marquez of Chile in the final.
Fenton and Paraiso also won doubles at the Pan Am Championships
Pan American Racquetball Championships
The Pan American Racquetball Championships are held annually in the spring with play ending on the day before Easter. Originally called the Tournament of the Americas, the Pan American Championships are hosted by the Pan American Racquetball Confederation....
in 2001.
Fenton twice won the Pan Am Championships
Pan American Racquetball Championships
The Pan American Racquetball Championships are held annually in the spring with play ending on the day before Easter. Originally called the Tournament of the Americas, the Pan American Championships are hosted by the Pan American Racquetball Confederation....
in 2002 and 2003. In 2002, she defeated Canadian Josée Grand'Maître in the final.
Fenton played in two Pan American Games
Racquetball at the Pan American Games
Racquetball has been part of the Pan American Games since 1995 Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina, although it was not included in the 2007 Games. Racquetball has been included in the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico and is expected to be included in the 2015 Pan American Games that...
. In 1999, she was bronze medalist in women's singles, and in 2003 she was silver medalist in women's singles, losing a tie-breaker to Cheryl Gudinas in the final.
Fenton was also a member of Team USA at the 2002 World Championships and got a bronze medal in singles, losing to Jennifer Saunders
Jennifer Saunders (racquetball)
Jennifer Saunders is a Canadian racquetball player from Thompson, Manitoba. Saunders is the current Canadian Women's Champion, winning her 5th title in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia in May 2011...
in the semi-finals.
US Championships
Fenton won the US National Championships in doubles four times: in 2006 and 2005 with Aimee Ruiz, 2000 with Jackie ParaisoJackie Paraiso
Jackie Paraiso is an American racquetball player. Paraiso was the #1 player on the women's pro racquetball tour at the end of the 1991-92, 1998–99, and 1999-2000 seasons...
, and 1993 with Michelle Gould.
Fenton was second in singles at the 2003 US National Singles Championships, which qualified her for the 2003 Pan Am Games team.
Personal
Fenton was raised as a Seventh Day Adventist, so she wasn't allowed to compete in sports on the weekends, when tournaments are usually held.Fenton has a B.A. from Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
and a masters degree from Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
in biomechanics, kinesiology and exercise physicology. Currently, she is an Associate Professor of Health and Exercise Science at La Sierra University in Riverside, Califorinia.
Fenton has one daughter, Jennifer.