USA Racquetball Names U.S. Junior Team Coaching Staff for 2024 IRF World Junior Championships
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by USA Racquetball
USA Racquetball and U.S. Junior Team Head Coach Robbie Collins are pleased to announce an impressive roster of experienced and motivated Assistant Coaches who will support the U.S. Junior Team athletes at the IRF World Junior Championships, December 6-14, in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Below is the rundown on each, including Coach Robbie’s thoughts in quotes.
Esprit Coach Jen Meyer of Fruita, Colorado, a former U.S. Junior Team athlete herself, coaches the up-and-comers in the 10, 12, and 14 divisions. She is returning for her 21st year supporting the Junior Team in international competition. “Jen is the heartbeat of our team. No one will love and inspire the athletes and their families more than she will.”
George Bustos of Universal City, Texas, will be at World Juniors coaching the team for the third year in a row, having been a member of the coaching staff in Guatemala in 2022 and Bolivia in 2023. He is instrumental in Junior athlete development in San Antonio. “For several years now, I’ve admired the work George has put in with his Junior players in San Antonio. I can’t wait to coach alongside him.”
David “Bobby” Horn, of Dublin, California, who has been a U.S. Junior Team assistant coach in the past, is once again joining the coaching ranks in support of the 2024-2025 Team. Bobby has been a member of the U.S. Adult Team numerous times in the past 11 years. “I coached with Bobby for several years at previous World Junior Championships. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team. I look forward to running it back with him again.”
Adam Manilla of San Jose, California, is a current U.S. Adult Team member. He excelled on the Junior Team multiple years in his younger years and was in Bolivia with the Team last November. Adam and his sister Erika are Pan American Games Gold medalists, having won Mixed Doubles in Santiago last October. “Adam brings the action to get things done. He will help this team get the job done in December.”
Erika Manilla was also an accomplished athlete on the U.S. Junior Team and is a current U.S. Adult Team member. She is the highest-ranked American woman in the USA Racquetball standings and #12 on the LPRT despite an injury earlier this year that kept her from completing the full season. Erika makes her debut as an Assistant Coach in Guatemala City. “Erika brings the same passion and energy to coaching as she does when she is competing. She will help the Juniors prepare and bring it when they need to the most.”
Coach Robbie concludes, “Having coaches with skin in the game was so important in this selection of Assistant Coaches. This staff represents some of the best coaches in the country who are actively coaching at the local, national, and international level. We hope to make you all proud!”
