Some local squash players had top-level competition to deal with at the Jesters PNW Junior Squash Championships in Victoria, B.C., over the weekend.
However, of the seven that attended the tournament, a couple placed high in tough divisions and another won his B division.
“They did well, especially those who played in the open (divisions),” said Khoon Chua, head coach of Squash Yukon. “This tournament attracts most of the top players in B.C. and Alberta. And there was one or two that came from Seattle as well.
“So overall they did pretty well.”
Whitehorse’s Mustafa Syed, who is currently ranked 22nd in Canada for boys U-15, took 7/8th in the U-15 open category. Syed came within a game of taking fifth, but dropped a 2-1 lead to Andrew Wei, who was ranked in the top-three in Canada for U-13 last year.
“Mustafa had some really good matches,” said Chua. “If he had won against (Wei), it would have a been a big win for him.”
After just turning 13, Whitehorse’s Logan Harris cruised to the U-15 B division title. Winning the division without dropping a single game, Harris may set his sights on the A division in his next out-of-territory tournament.
“His parents were talking to me, and I said it would be good if he could play in the A (division), but if he wants to win and get some confidence, B is OK,” said Chua. “He just turned 13, so if he plays in the under-15, he’d be one of the youngest in the group.
“This tournament proved to him he should be playing in the A. The B is a little too easy for him.”
At 15, Shermaine Chua had some much older competition playing in the combined girls U-17 and U-19 B division draw. Shermaine, who was the C Yukon Champion last year, fought her way to third place.
“She isn’t confident to play in the A, so she played in the B and I think she’s about there,” said Khoon. “She had some very good games.”
Other Yukoners in the tournament included Stephan Grundmanis and Kai Knorr, who competed in boys U-17 open division, finished 7/8th and 13-16th respectively.
Zain Syed took eighth in boys U-19 open division.
Alysha Gullison, competing in her first Outside tourney, advanced all the way to the finals of the girls U-13 novice draw.
Contact Tom Patrick at tomp@yukon-news.com