Jason Gabak / Special to The Citizen

AUBURN - On the YMCA racquetball courts, Victor Fandrich and Kevin Muldoon are double trouble.

The pair is among the longest running youth racquetball players at the Y and have distinguished themselves through their years as some of the toughest competition.

According to the boys, their love of the game can be traced back to Fandrich's parents.

“My parents are the ones that brought me here, they used to play a lot,” Fandrich said. “They just gave me a racquet and let me hit the ball around and I've been doing it ever since.”

Lifelong friends, Fandrich introduced Muldoon to the game, and it wasn't long before the duo were fixtures on the youth courts.

“He made me come up with him,” Muldoon said. “It looked like fun, it was a good time. Since then we've been coming back every week.”

Guiding the boys along since the beginning has been instructor Jeff Hanno.

“He makes it fun,” Fandrich said. “It is a lot of fun to come and hang out with Jeff. He isn't too demanding per se, he makes it more about having fun and for me that works better and I think it has helped make me a better player.”

Hanno said it has been a pleasure forging a relationship with Fandrich and Muldoon that extends beyond just the court.

“I love working with the kids so it is always great for me,” Hanno said. “It has been great to see them grown from little guys into young men and watch the steps they have made as players. When we are here we can talk about anything, school, anything and everything. I try to give them advice and help out where ever I can.”

Hanno's influence has impacted the way the boys have approached the game and has helped them stick with it.

“For me, it is fun just to be here with coach,” Muldoon said. “He's been a big part of what has kept me coming back every week.”

Along with Hanno, Fandrich and Muldoon have kept each other going strong.

“This has given us something to do together,” Muldoon said. “It is more fun doing this than just hanging out doing nothing.”

One of the common complaints among children is there's nothing to do, but Fandrich said anyone who says that simply isn't trying hard enough.

“I always want to keep busy,” Fandrich said. “People always say there isn't anything to do here, well maybe they're just not looking around for anything to do, there is always something to do, you just have to look.”

It didn't take long for the pair to compete in youth tournaments and more often than not, one of them emerges the winner.

“We've been in a lot of tournaments here,” Fandrich said. “Usually in the end it has always been the same, it has been us playing against each other. Since we're close as friends it was a little awkward at first but we both know that one of us has to lose so we just go out there and play.”

This easygoing attitude may be the secret to their success; it has let the boys maintain their core friendship no matter who wins or loses.

“I really prefer a friendly game to strong serious competition,” Muldoon said. “When I enter the junior tournaments it is for fun. It has been a lot of fun playing them and going form the lowest division to the highest. We both have a very similar sense of humor and I think that is what has made us good friends and helps us stay that way. We both understand that this is just a game and that it should be fun playing no matter who wins.”

Over the years, the boys have found they share another passion: music.

“I'm a drummer,” Fandrich said. “I play the snare in the school marching band and we've had a band together for about two years, but we still don't have a name. Music has been an important focus and a lot of fun.”

For Muldoon, music has been a part of his life as long as he can remember.

“I play guitar now,” Muldoon said. “I've been playing piano since I was 4-year-old. It's been about five years on the guitar now. Every couple of years it is something different for me. I hope to go to Ithaca College for sound recording. Music is a big part of my life.”

Fandrich and Muldoon have distinguished themselves in the junior league and are now ready to make the leap to adult competition.

“They've come a very long way,” Hanno said. “They've gone from being young guys and not being able to generate power and now they are ready to move into the adult league in December I think. There are adults of all ages there, most of them are at least over 25. They are going to be the youngest in the league. I don't think they are going to be starting at the bottom either I think they are going to be able to be up in the middle with the competition which is even better.”

The chance to face some new competition is a thrill.

“I'm looking forward to it,” Muldoon said. “I think it is going to be an interesting new challenge. There are some really good players in the league that play all the time. I think we'll just have to take it as it comes and do our best and practice more if we have to. I think seeing the older guys is going to be a big help in making us both better.”

Fandrich is confident they will be able to hold their own.

“This is something I want to keep doing for the rest of my life,” Fandrich said. “I like to think I'm good at this and I want to keep getting better that is just kind of how I am. I always want to get better at what I do. Better competitions makes you want to get better. I think we'll be OK.”