ACL 2021-2022 Open #1 Preview
The ACL season is officially underway! Kicking off the bigger events this weekend is the first of sixteen open events across the country, this being in West Dundee, IL. There is no shortage of excellent teams attending this event! Let’s dive in and take a closer look
The first name that jumps out at me is Steven Bernacet. It was at the very first open event of the 2020-2021 season that Bernacet burst onto the scene by winning both the Singles and Doubles titles. He and Tom Gustafson are coming off an impressive Rookie Season and will have a chance to showcase their new bag sponsor, Titan Bags. Is there some concern….well, I’d be lying if I said no, but any tournament they enter you have to keep an eye on them.
Two Father/Son duos will be exciting to watch at this open even. Guy Nation will be in the house as they look to capture a title while throwing across from each other rather than against each other. A rookie team to keep an eye on, not just for this even, but season long is Steve and Steven Ochoa. Regarded by many as two of the best throwers coming out of Michigan, these two can flat out play and have the type of pedigree where it wouldn’t be shocking to see them win an event this year.
I am interested in seeing how Matthew Morton plays with his new, younger partner, Eiann Cripps. Morton, at one time, was considered a top 10-15 player in the game with an insane airmail. He seemed to get away from his bread and butter a bit last year. Sometimes switching partners can make the game fun again….regardless, it’ll be fun to watch. Sticking with the theme of young guns, welcome to the big leagues Alex Hicks. Hicks might be the most talented junior player to have ever entered the pro ranks. It’s not often that you hope the older of the two can hold up their end…but Hutley has enough moxie and Hicks is just freakish enough to make a run.
One of the more exciting new teams of this ACL season to watch will be Rubin and Power. They both have the talent to land inside the top 10 in singles by the end of the season, but we all know doubles is a different beast. I will be interested in seeing how their personalities mesh on the boards….wouldn’t be shocked in the least if they win it all. Tanner Halbert, “the Kingslayer”, is teaming up with friend (future brother in law?? Come on already Jordan) Jordan Camba. We are all aware Camba will not be participating in the ACL pro division this season….but doesn’t mean he can’t dominate at an Open event. I can see this duo wanting to prove something this weekend…give me Camba/Halbert as my front runners.
Ryan Windsor and Isidro Herrera…..do we need to say anything else? These two are just rock steady and consistently perform. Windsor was slow out of the gate last season, but ended on an absolute tear. Which Windsor shows up?
Looking for a dark-horse team? Why is it that Justin Lang gets zero love? The dude has been so solid the last two seasons (last year 32nd singles, 33rd doubles) it is crazy to me. Will he and Jareth Nichols (very talented player) win the event? Probably not, but they deserve some attention.
Beyond excited for this season to kick off!! Let us know who your favorite is this weekend in the comment section below!!
As always, we hope you throw it straight and it’s nothing but four baggers from here on out!
