What we are watching for in National #1
ACL National #1 is upon us! Yes we are very excited! This is going to be the "official" start to the pro season, and we have a lot of things we are going to be watching for in this first tournament. Let's break a few of them down.
First thing first, Mark Richards. This guy stepped onto the scene last year and dominated. Historically we haven't seen anybody repeat a season like that. A new bag sponsor this year, and a sophomore season, we will be watching to see if he gets nervous!
Next up, the Women’s division. We have seen over and over Cheyenne Bubenheim dominate. So is anybody going to step up and make a run at her this year? Obviously, Sarah Cassidy has been the closest in the past. This year I think that the women are tired of only hearing about 1 name over and over again. Yetty Irwan has been putting in the work and looking strong. Kaylee Hunter has been throwing continuously with Jamie Graham and that is enough to elevate your game. We have rookies this year that are making noise. Let's see who steps up and dethrones the queen, if anybody.
Rookies, I mean come on! This is going to be a rough season to get a rookie of the year locked in, but let's just drop a few names that we expect to do work. Fisher Hamilton, Gavin Cano, Ryan Wiedenfeld. Those 3 alone are enough to win a national, but there more!
The last minute partner swaps. We all watched some interesting things unfold, but we want to know if they were good moves or not. Baldwin and Camba, Modlin and Bubenheim. I think most people have seen this and thought it was a good switch, but is it? We haven't seen Camba as a pro in a year, does he still have it? Can he light a fire under Balwin's ass? All I can say is show us what you got. Another big one we want to see is Voyer and Holland, without going into controversy. Derek is bag to the bags that he threw a perfect game on television with. Voyer is always solid, time to show us if the bags really make a difference.
Kyle Malone, not only is he playing extremely well this year, but the guy might have a history of showing out at every National #1. Are we going to see it in singles or doubles this year? His partner Jimmy Youmans hasn't showed us this year, quite what he did last year. Is it a bag switch thing? When we watched Youmans at his best, he was throwing carpet bags, but Malone is more of a "slinky" guy. Youmans, if you read this. Prove us wrong!
The giants of the past, where are you at? Are you going to come back at it and make a run at it this year? Here is a few we will be watching and hoping to see a big return to triumph. Matt Guy, Trey Burchfield, Adam Hissner, Cody Henderson, Ryan Windsor, where you guys at this year?
The 2 guys that were nipping at Richards heals last year, Jamie Graham and Alex Rawls. Are these guys going to come out swinging and take over this year?
And last but not least, Devon Harbaugh. Everybody is calling you the best right now. Now is the all pro event to see if it is true.
Drop a comment below and tell us who you guys are watching out for and who we missed!
-Nick