KWM Gateway City Pro/Am Preview: The Season Finale Arrives in St. Louis
The final chapter of the 2025-26 International Racquetball Tour season begins this week as the KWM Gateway City Pro/Am comes to St. Louis, Missouri.
Hosted at Vetta Sports, the season finale brings together nearly 200 participants for what promises to be one of the most exciting weekends of racquetball this year. St. Louis has long been one of the strongest racquetball communities in the country and is home to the largest high school racquetball program in the nation, creating an atmosphere unlike any other stop on the IRT calendar.
With the season coming to a close and several top players absent from the draw, the Gateway City Pro/Am presents a unique opportunity for new faces to make a statement and finish the year on a high note.
A Season Defined by New Champions
One of the defining storylines of this season has been the emergence of new contenders throughout the tour.
The IRT has crowned five different tournament winners this season:
• Kane Waselenchuk
• Conrrado Moscoso
• Andres Acuna
• Jake Bredenbeck
• Jhonatan Flores
The depth of talent throughout the tour has produced one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory. Nearly every event has featured major upsets, breakthrough performances, and unexpected runs deep into the draw.
That trend could continue in St. Louis.
The season finale will be missing several top players, including Conrrado Moscoso, Javier Mar, and Alan Natera. Moscoso’s absence stems from the ongoing political issues currently affecting travel and competition opportunities in Bolivia.
With three members of the Top 10 absent, the draw opens up considerably and creates opportunities for a new player to make a breakthrough run.
Matchups to Watch
Rodrigo Montoya vs Diego Gastelum (Potential Round of 16)
Few players have improved more throughout the second half of the season than Diego Gastelum.
The young Mexican star finally broke through at Pro Nationals, earning his first victory over a Top 5 player and reaching his first career quarterfinal. Gastelum has consistently pushed top players to the limit this season and has become one of the most dangerous lower seeds in any draw.
Standing in his way could be fellow Mexican Rodrigo Montoya, one of the most explosive and athletic players on tour. If this matchup materializes, expect fast-paced rallies, incredible athleticism, and plenty of momentum swings.
Erick Trujillo vs Jhonatan Flores (Potential Round of 16)
This may be the most anticipated Round of 16 match in the entire tournament.
Both players are coming off semifinal appearances at Pro Nationals and have emerged as two of the brightest young stars on tour.
Trujillo is enjoying the best stretch of his professional career after battling back from injury, while Flores continues to build on a breakout season that included his first IRT 700 title in Chicago.
These are two players who seem destined to spend years battling near the top of the rankings.
Cole Sendrey vs DJ Mendoza (Potential Round of 16)
Fans of junior racquetball will immediately recognize this matchup.
Sendrey and Mendoza met in last year’s USA Racquetball Boys 21 & Under National Championship Final, with Mendoza coming away victorious.
Now they could meet again, this time on the professional stage.
Will Mendoza repeat his success, or will Sendrey get his revenge and continue his rise through the professional ranks?
What Will We See From Andres Acuna?
One of the biggest questions entering the tournament surrounds Andres Acuna.
The Costa Rican star has spent most of the season firmly entrenched near the top of the rankings, but his last event ended earlier than expected after an upset loss to Erick Trujillo in Montana.
Will Acuna bounce back and make a deep run in St. Louis?
Or will Andree Parrilla, returning after missing Pro Nationals due to injury, remind everyone why he has been one of the most dangerous players on tour for years?
Both players are more than capable of making a championship run.
Kane vs The Field
Perhaps the biggest question of the weekend is a simple one:
Do you take Kane Waselenchuk, or do you take the field?
Kane enters St. Louis fresh off securing the Year-End World #1 ranking for the 16th time in his career after winning Pro Nationals in Montana.
Even after decades of dominance, he remains the player everyone is chasing.
But this season has shown more parity than we’ve seen in years.
Five different players have won tournaments.
Young stars like Jhonatan Flores, Erick Trujillo, Diego Gastelum, and DJ Mendoza continue to improve rapidly.
Veterans like Andres Acuna, Rodrigo Montoya, Jake Bredenbeck, and Andree Parrilla are all capable of putting together championship runs.
With Conrrado Moscoso absent and several top seeds missing, the draw feels more open than usual.
Will Kane finish the season exactly the way he wants?
Or will another player seize the opportunity and add their name to the growing list of champions this season?
A Fitting End to an Exciting Season
The Gateway City Pro/Am represents everything that has made this season special.
Established champions. Emerging stars. Unpredictable results. Passionate fans.
With nearly 200 participants entered and one of the most energetic racquetball communities in the country hosting the event, the stage is set for a memorable finish to the 2025-26 season.
Matches begin today at 1:00 PM CST.
Fans can watch live throughout the weekend, while IRT Club members can enjoy exclusive second-court coverage and additional matches not available elsewhere.
The season finale has arrived.
We’ll see you in St. Louis.
