Michelle Gould (racquetball player)
Encyclopedia
Michelle Gould born December 22, 1970, was an American racquetball
player. She was the dominant player in women's racquetball in the 1990s based on a strong drive serve game. Injuries led to her retirement from competitive racquetball in 1999.
in 1996 and 1997. During one stretch of her pro career (Oct 1995-May 1997), Gould won 18 consecutive tournaments in a row, and 30 of 33.
in 1992 by defeating Canadian Heather Stupp in the final, which avenged a loss to Stupp two years earlier. She then won the next two World Championships in 1994 and 1996, respectively defeating Robin Levine (USA) and Cheryl Gudinas
(USA) in the finals.
She won the Pan American Championships (formerly the Tournament of the Americas) six times: four times in singles in 1988, 1990, 1991, and 1998 and twice in doubles in 1994 with Robin Levine and 1996 with Cheryl Gudinas
.
Gould also won gold medals at the 1993 World Games
and the 1995 Pan American Games
.
Gould also won 6 US National Doubles titles. The first was with Cindy Doyle in 1989. Then she won two with Jackie Paraiso in 1990 and 1991. Laura Fenton was Gould's partner for the 1993 title, and Cheryl Gudinas won the 1995 and 1996 championships with Gould.
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 was the dominant player in women's racquetball in the 1990s based on a strong drive serve game. Injuries led to her retirement from competitive racquetball in 1999.
Professional career
Gould's professional career was highlighted by winning the first two US Open Racquetball ChampionshipsUS Open Racquetball Championships
The US Open racquetball championship is widely acknowledged as the premier professional racquetball event. It is a Grand Slam event with men and women competing from the International Racquetball Tour and Women's Professional Racquetball Organization, respectively. It also includes divisions for...
in 1996 and 1997. During one stretch of her pro career (Oct 1995-May 1997), Gould won 18 consecutive tournaments in a row, and 30 of 33.
International career
Gould won her first International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World ChampionshipRacquetball 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 1992 by defeating Canadian Heather Stupp in the final, which avenged a loss to Stupp two years earlier. She then won the next two World Championships in 1994 and 1996, respectively defeating Robin Levine (USA) and Cheryl Gudinas
Cheryl Gudinas Holmes
Cheryl Gudinas is an American racquetball player. She has been one of the dominant players from the 1990s into the 2000s.-Professional career:...
(USA) in the finals.
She won the Pan American Championships (formerly the Tournament of the Americas) six times: four times in singles in 1988, 1990, 1991, and 1998 and twice in doubles in 1994 with Robin Levine and 1996 with Cheryl Gudinas
Cheryl Gudinas Holmes
Cheryl Gudinas is an American racquetball player. She has been one of the dominant players from the 1990s into the 2000s.-Professional career:...
.
Gould also won gold medals at the 1993 World Games
Racquetball at the World Games
Racquetball was part of the 1985 World Games in London and 1993 World Games in Den Haag. Also, racquetball was part of the first World Games in 1981 at Santa Clara...
and the 1995 Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
.
US championships
Gould's 8 US Nationals Championships in singles is tied for most won by a woman with Cheryl Gudinas Gould won those 8 titles in a 9 year span from 1989 to 1997 interrupted only by Robin Levine's victory in 1994.Gould also won 6 US National Doubles titles. The first was with Cindy Doyle in 1989. Then she won two with Jackie Paraiso in 1990 and 1991. Laura Fenton was Gould's partner for the 1993 title, and Cheryl Gudinas won the 1995 and 1996 championships with Gould.