Big times for Junior Squash duo

Two of this country’s promising young Squash players will hit the biggest stage ever in their short career later this month in the Junior USA open in Connecticut, USA, from December 20 -23.{{more}}

Reigning Junior Caribbean Under-15 champion Kevin Hannaway and Jules Snagg will pit their skills in the prestigious North American competition, which attracts between 200 and 300 participants.

Hannaway will compete in the Under-15 and Snagg, the Under-17.

For the duo, it’s an experience they are eagerly anticipating.

The more accomplished Hannaway and Snagg both told SEARCHLIGHT last Saturday afternoon at the Squash Complex in Paul’s Avenue, prior to going through his paces with their Coach James Bentick, that they are excited to be selected.

“It is my biggest tournament so far in my life and I am going out there to do my best and make my country proud”, Hannaway said.

He also said that it has been the hardest he has ever trained for a competition.

“I have been working hard, hard, hard, training about five times per week. It is the hardest I have ever trained for a competition”, Hannaway, a third former at the Thomas Secondary School revealed.

For Snagg, who has been playing Squash for just over two years, he sees the opportunity to visit the USA as “an experience that I am looking forward to.”

Like Hannaway, Snagg represented the OECS at the CASA championships in Bermuda, but thinks the USA Open will be a tough test for him.

“I am going there and try to improve as I do in every tournament,” Snagg projected.

“I have been following my programme well, which includes strength work, running on the road and my Squash techniques”, Snagg said.

Snagg, who played in the Under-17 category in Bermuda, with limited success, said: “I just want to do better than I did last time.”

Snagg, apart from the CASA experience, played in two other Junior Championships in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

Equally excited at the championships is Bentick.

Admitting that the standard of play will be higher and that the climatic conditions at this time of the year will be a challenge to his charges, Bentick said: “We have to throw them at the deep end to see what level they are at.”

“They have worked hard; it is new territory, but what I want to see now from them is the intensity and fight,” added Bentick, who is the leading Squash Coach in the sub region.

The trio is grateful to the National Lotteries Authority and the National Olympic Committee, who are responsible for their overall participation.

However, Snagg was able to land an individual sponsorship from Dr. Sherian Slater, while Hannaway’s came compliments TMM Yacht Charters.

The Vincentian hopefuls leave the state December 18. (RT)