But when Jack Huczek jumped from racquetball’s junior ranks to the professional tour, the 20-year-old Michigan native didn’t miss a step. Instead, he won. And though winning is nothing new to the current World Singles Champion, he knew that this leap, in particular, would be one of his biggest tests.

“The difference between competing at the junior and professional levels is like comparing night and day,” Huczek said. “At the junior level you play in two or three tournaments over the course of a year and usually compete against the same people. As a professional you tour all over the world and could play for three weeks in a row.”

As the only player in history to win two gold medals in each junior singles age group, Huczek (Rochester Hills, Mich.) proved time and time again that he was ready to take on the best the world had to offer. But despite his early success, some doubted it would carry over to the adult level, pro or amateur.

“Out of all the tournaments that I’ve won, one of the biggest highlights of my career was beating the No. 1-ranked pro in the Boston finals at his home club. It was nice, because at the time I was getting very little respect at the professional level. They were shooting me down right from the get-go.”

Last year marked Huczek’s first complete professional season. He finished No. 5. As Huczek finishes his second year on the tour, he is ranked No. 4, an impressive position unheard of for one so young. He also looks to compete in his first Pan American Games this August in Santo Domingo.

“I’m not quite there yet, but I am definitely shooting to go. It has been a very interesting year. The Pan Am Games elevate the competition. You have to play that much better. It is basically like qualifying for the Olympics.”

Considering the Pan American Games are the highlight competition for several sports like racquetball, which are not included in the Olympic Games, Huczek’s comparison of the two is not uncommon. And, while currently he is on target to qualify, Huczek continues his rigorous training routine in preparation for the 2003 Ektelon USRA 36th National Singles Championships scheduled for Memorial Day weekend in Houston, Texas in order to ensure he has this honorable position secured.

“I have been playing since I was two years old and I always knew that racquetball was going to be my sport. I’m just trying to focus on my training and preparing for events. I owe my success to hard work and passion for the game. If you have both, it’ll take care of itself.”