By Chris Smith, National Teams Manager
For the last three years, the top US junior squash players have headed north to Niagara On the Lake, Canada, for the annual “Canadian-American Challenge: Battle of the Border.” US Squash and Squash Ontario have been co-organizing the event since 2004, shaping it into a major part of both Associations’ elite junior development programs.
The event was started for the younger age divisions, boys and girls U13s and U15s in order to provide them an opportunity to represent the US internationally in team competition, but has expanded over the years to include the U17s as well. US junior players qualify by specific selection criteria based on the US Junior Selection Series, where earning points and meeting age eligibility are the requirements. This year, the event concept has expanded by adding a U19 and U23 squad (the gender of the U19 squad will depend, each year, on which of the Junior World Team Championships is scheduled for that year).
The U19 and U23 players will compete on separate weekends over the summer in a combination of intense training and competition. Then in September, the top four boys and girls in each of the U13, U15, and U17 age divisions will have their shot. The various US contingencies will be led by Martin Heath, the US Junior Men’s Head Coach and a U23 Coach; Adam Hamill, the US Junior Men’s Assistant Coach; Natalie Grainger, US U23 Coach; as well as Dani Davis, Bryan Patterson, Tina Rix, Chris Smith, and US Squash staffer Vijay Chitnis. The events will all take place at the White Oaks Resort, which provides an inclusive venue for squash courts, hotel accommodations and restaurants.
Mark Sachvie, host and Racquets Director at White Oaks, always has the club ready to receive some of North America’s rising stars. The weekend format is a combination of squash, cultural experiences and friendship, including an annual trip to one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Niagara Falls. The finale is Sunday when both teams play for the Battle of the Border Trophy. All of Squash Ontario and US Squash’s efforts provide over 50 junior players a taste of international squash competition, but more importantly, a lifetime experience.
Qualifying for the US squad:
GU13
Olivia Fiechter, Gabriella Garr, Katie Tutrone, Maria Elena Ubina
GU15
Tarryn Harborth, Megan Murray, Amy Smedira, Amanda Sobhy
GU17
Chloe Blacker, Sarah Mumanachit, Yarden Odinak, Pia Trikha
BU13
TJ Dembinski, Sam Conant, Michael East, Devin McLaughlin
BU15
Alexander Greer, Liam McClintock, Dylan Murray, Taylor Tutrone
BU17
Danny Greenberg, Stephen Harrington, Jason Michas, Tyler Smith
BU19
Clay Blackiston, Alex Domenick, Matt Domenick, Todd Harrity, David Hilton, Adam Perkiomaki, Brian O’Toole, Nick Sisodia, Charlie Wagner
U23
John Fulham, Tucker George, Jake Gross, Gilly Lane, Kristen Lange, Lily Lorentzen, Christine Montgomery, Sydney Scott, Amanda Siebert
