Defending junior squash champions Mehar Trehan and Ethan Miller wasted no time in defeating their opponents in the final of the two-day All Jamaica Junior Squash Championship at the Liguanea Club in Kingston on Monday night.
Both matches were played in front of enthusiastic crowds who supported all the players on court.
The first final was between number-one seed Miller, who dominated the number-two seed Max Henzell in the under-17 age group category.
Miller played with precision and deft movement on the court to retain his title after posting scores of 11-2, 11-4, 11-1.
All of Miller’s matches in the preliminary rounds as well as the final ended in straight sets with no competitor strong enough to take him to five.
Miller was very happy for the win while praising the other players for improving their games since last year’s championship.
“It was good. It was tough. Everybody’s been improving. I’m really grateful to be able to play them. I’ve seen a lot of improvement in the competition since last year, especially in my own game. I’m just really grateful to be able to come out and play.”
He has plans to win the U17 section of the Caribbean Championship later this year.
“CASA is next, and any other tournament outside of the Caribbean, like the US Open and Canadian Open, but the next thing on the calendar is definitely CASA, trying to win CASA Under 17.”
Govind Venugopal copped the U15 boys’ title over Juhah Tavares-Finson with scores of 11-9, 11-3, 6-11, 11-1 while Jaden Emery was declared the U13 champion over Nathan Chong, 11-1, 11-2, 11-1.
Trehan also stamped her class on the championship after winning all her matches in straight sets as well. The final in the U19 category was no different as the scores in that match were 11-7, 11-2, 11-8. Though she won in three games she was forced to concentrate on every point and reduce any possibility of mistakes.
She was very happy to return to the island to play in the championship.
“I always enjoy coming back and playing in the All-Jamaica. I get to see all my friends and my teammates again and play some good squash. I really enjoyed it.”
She commended her opponents for their improvement since last year’s championship.
“I was playing some younger opponents than usual. I’m not used to being the older one or one of the older ones in the tournament, but I will say although it was three-nil matches, all my opponents have been playing exceptionally well and way better than the last time I saw them.”
Trehan now turns her attention to the seniors, where she is also seeded as the number-one player on the female side.
“I’m excited for seniors as well. That is happening very soon. And hopefully, play well in that, too. But it’s always an enjoyable experience, and it’s really fun to see especially the younger players coming up and seeing how they are improving especially well. And getting to watch that, it’s very fulfilling in my opinion.”
Varenya Singh defeated Marley Price 11-7, 11-8, 11-0 to take the U17 category.
The thirteen-year old Price won the girls’ U15 category when she defeated Varenya Singh 11-7, 12-14, 11-9, 4-11, 13-11 in a tense five-setter that saw the lead changing several times in the match.
The seniors will serve off this evening in the absence of Mary Mahfood and Lewis Walters, who are unable to compete this year.
