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Writer's picturePaul Frank

USJO 2024 - Tiger Report!

The US Junior Open was conducted the past four days in Philadelphia.  Beginning at six rather geographically diverse clubs, three in the grassy suburb of Chestnut Hill and three in the hustle and bustle of University City including the Specter Center, the salubrious home of US Squash.  1,005 players from all across the squash playing world descended to contest ten age group divisions (and frigid temperatures) in one of the highest profile junior events in the world annually.


21 Squash Tigers began the odyssey, accompanied by four of our intrepid coaches who performed masterfully to cope with a rather complex and venue switching draw!  By way of results, 10 of our 21 made the round of 32 and 5 into the round of 16.  Standout performance, as it so often is, came from Reghan in the GU17 who won her way through to 6th place in her down year in the age group.  


We are a young program, and as such had only three representatives in the U19, Parth and Claire, both finishing in 21/24th and Arman getting some challenging experience versus our international visitors!  Parth was in tremendous form throughout, losing out in a great five game found of 32 match and then pushing the European #1 close in his final match.  We would always like more, but sometimes have to be satisfied with a sterling effort, as that one was...  Similarly Claire’s event was more than solid, with several epic 5 game marathons and some great grit and skill shown.


U17 star was obviously Reghan, who enjoyed a solid preparatory event before she contests the British Junior Open with Team USA in early January.  Lily also had much to be proud of with her 16th place, including several wins over international visitors.  Shoutouts to Eric on some mercurial squash and Shrikar who went on his own winning streak to make top 40.


U15 highest finisher was Madeleine, who had solid victories to make the top 16 including an outstanding five game win in the round of 32.  She was accompanied in the U15 world by Yidrew with his credible top 32 finish.  I’m sure both would have liked more, but it was an impressive performance from each!  Mimi was the U13 leader in the top 16, with Yiden following big brother into a top 32!  Well done to both the Purtuc and Chen families… some super sibling performances!


Congratulations, not only to those mentioned above, but to the whole team who entered.  In all major events we win or we learn, sometimes both - and the US Open is a fantastic example of an opportunity to gain valuable experience in an electric atmosphere around an eclectic spread of players from across the world.  Our team was varied, from Ethan in the U/11’s “sticking his toe in the water”, to our already recruited seniors and juniors, it was truly a worthwhile weekend.  To catch up on some of our team photos, check our our Facebook Photo dump, it’s a lot of fun.


Thank you to Claire, Michael and Lyall on their loooooooooong days on which they brought both their undoubted expertise, but also their big smiles and charming demeanours.


Back at the club we have Winter Camp commencing on Saturday, as always, free to members, but open to everyone, so it is the ideal time to bring a friend along to get some hard working squash played over the break!  Please remember that hours change for the 16 days of camp and include our January Rehearsal Tournament, so please make sure you’ve noted those changes.


2024 was an awesome year for the Squash Tigers World, our eyes now turn to 2025 - can’t wait to see what we can accomplish on and off the court!




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