Puerto Rican Roberto "Rafu" Rodriguez (No 1 in the centre) has won four of the seven tournaments in the men's division ofthe 2012 NORCECA Circuit

Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, August 26, 2012 – Puerto Ricans Roberto “Rafu” Rodriguez and Erick Haddock in the men’s division and Yarleen Santiago and Yamileska Yantin in the women’s field won the gold medals of the Mayaguez Beach Volleyball Tournament, the seventh stop of the 2012 NORCECA Circuit on Sunday.

Rodriguez and Haddock of Puerto Rico-A beat Simon Fecteau-Botin and Cameron Wheelan of Canada-B 21-18, 21-17 for the men’s gold.

Santiago and Yantin defeated Martha Revuelta and Vanessa Virgen of Mexico 2-0 (21-15, 30-28) in the women’s gold medal match.

Rodriguez/Haddock outclassed their opponents from start to finish and had a strong support from the local fans that crowded the stands of the main court of the Litoral de Mayaguez beach volleyball complex.

It was the fourth gold medal of the year for Rodriguez and the second teaming-up with Haddock as they also combined to win the title in the first event of the year at Cayman Islands. Rodriguez was also crowned with Pablo Guzman in Guatemala and Orlando Irizarry in Santo Domingo.

Santiago and Yantin, winners of the gold medal in the third stage of the season held in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, claimed their second title in 2012.

Grant O’Gorman and Samuel Pedlow of Canada-A subdued  José Rivera and Fernando Morales of Puerto Rico-C 2-0 (21-15, 21-14) in the contest for men’s third place.

Dariam Acevedo and Tatiana Encarnación of Puerto Rico-B recovered from one set down to edge Ingrid Morales and Natalia Alfaro of Costa Rica 2-1 (19-21, 24-22, 15-10) in the match for third place of the women’s event.
In men’s semifinals, Rodriguez/Haddock defeated Rivera/Morales 21-17, 21-11 while Feacteau-Botin/Wheelan prevailed 21-18, 23-21 over compatriots O’Gorman/Pedlow.

In the women’s semifinals, Santiago/Yantin edged Morales/Alfaro 23-21, 21-17 while Revuelta/Virgen defeated Acevedo/Encarnacion 21-16, 21-12.

Men’s quarterfinals: CAN-B d TRI 2-0 (21-15, 21-16), PUR-C d PUR-B 2-0 (25-23, 21-17). Semifinals: CAN-B d CAN-A 2-0 (21-18, 23-21), PUR-A d PUR-C 2-0 (21-17, 21-11). Bronze Medal: CAN-A d PUR-C 2-0 (21-15, 21-14). Gold Medal: PUR-A d CAN-B 2-0 (21-18, 21-17).

Women’s quarterfinals: MEX d CAY 2-0 (21-8, 21-13), CRC d CAN-A 2-0 (21-18, 21-16). Semifinals: MEX d. PUR-B 2-0 (21-16, 21-12), PUR-A d CRC 2-0 (23-21, 21-17). Bronze Medal: PUR-B d CRC 2-1 (19-21, 24-22, 15-10). Gold Medal: PUR-A d MEX 2-0 (21-15, 30-28).

Results of 2012:

Place                   Women                           Men
Cayman Islands    Candelas/García (MEX)     Rodríguez/Haddock (PUR)
Guatemala            Kropp/Pavlik (USA)          Rodríguez/Guzman (PUR)
Boca Chica, D.R.    Santiago/Yantin (PUR)     Rodríguez/Irizarry (PUR)
Chiapas, México    N.Sinal/Canet (CUB)        Piña/González (CUB)
Toluca, México      Candelas/García (MEX)     Virgen/Ontiveros (MEX)
Varadero, Cuba     Ballard/O.Sinal (CUB)      Piña/González (CUB)
Mayagüez, P.R.     Santiago/Yantin (PUR)     Rodríguez/Haddock (PUR)

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