Yukon squash champ Cameron Webber is a busy guy.
Perhaps that’s why he wasted no time winning matches at Squash Yukon’s Early Bird Tournament at Better Bodies Whitehorse on Saturday.
Webber, who won last year’s Yukon championships, went through the Early Bird without dropping a game and was out the door on his way to work within minutes of winning the final, leaving no time for this repoter’s questions.
Webber grabbed the tournament’s A division title with a 15-11, 15-2, 15-10 win over Sam Penner in the final.
“It was super fun to play Cam,” said Penner. “It was a hard match and he sort of tore me apart in the second game. But he’s very skilled and it was a lot of fun.
“Any unforced errors and you’re toast. He doesn’t make many mistakes, so if you make five or six mistakes in a game, those are points he’ll use to his advantage.”
Webber wasn’t out to overpower his opponent. He would often slow down the pace of the rally instead of matching Penner shot for shot.
“I was probably trying to attack as much as I could, so for him to slow it down, it allows him to get in position and get off those pretty little drop shots he’s got,” said Penner.
Grayson Peters snagged third with a straight-game win over Mark Tubman. Peter Mather took the consolation title.
Webber wasn’t the only one to slow the pace of rallies to his advantage.
Squash Yukon president Chris Toleman defeated Dylan Letang 3-1 in the B division final.
It was a come-from-behind win for Toleman, who dropped the opening game before taking a little off his shots.
“I was playing to his strength,” said Toleman. “I didn’t quite wake up to how I should play until the second game.
“He hits the ball very hard. So me hitting the ball hard back to him, I’m too slow to get into the position. So I just slowed it right down - soft serves, soft lobs. He’s waiting for the ball and I get to where I want to be. Then his hard shot is not as effective.”
Terri Cairns topped Michel Gelinas 3-0 for third in the B division. Jim Gilpin won the consolation.
Will Chetcuti went 3-1 over Lara-Rae Grant in the C division final for the win.
Andre Benoit downed David Bucklet 3-0 to place third.
Keegan Kwok cruised through the consolation round without dropping a game.
Jordy Walker beat Jada Smith-Kwok in a tight 3-2 battle to win the D division.
Todd Pilgrim outplayed Susan Whitty 3-0 for the third place spot.
Laurie Clark bounced back from a first round loss to Pilgrim to win the consolation.
Brett Walchuk defeated Isaac Williamson 2-1 junior novice division final.
Ava Cairns placed third with a 2-0 win over Katrina Dobush Kayden King to claim the consolation title.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com