Two winners, six quarter finalists and a million lessons - that’s what the Squash Tigers team came away with after this weekend's Arlen Specter JCT!
With the US National Center busy with the Professional Tour and being used for the US Open - the JCT was conducted on the salubrious courts of the University of Pennsylvania and nearby at the slightly less salubrious Drexel varsity courts. UPenn is notable for its spectacular facility and ideal for our Squash Tigers crew as their two glass courts are very similar to those we rehearse on at our club. Nothing like a home away from home on important occasions!
Big news from the little guys, with JJ winning the BU13 and his first ever JCT in fine fashion. A semi final victory over the #1 seed, rated 0.3 ahead of him should have been enough for the story, but wait, there was more. The final saw JJ 2/1 down and eventually winning two dramatic tie breakers to go up 3/2 and walk away with the title. A physically tough performance, skillful execution and adherence to some well rehearsed tactics and voila - he goes home the Champ! A great reward for hard work, congratulations JJ!
Colten and Alex were again our Big Dogs of the BU15 with Colten winning his second JCT title of the season and Alex capturing 3rd place. Colten ran through the draw, not dropping a game until the final and consolidated his #1 ranking ahead of aging up. An awesome performance! Alex on his behalf bounced back from his semi-final defeat to win the 3 / 4 playoff against an awesome opponent in a high standard encounter. Both boys have much to be proud of, with the best yet to come!
The GU15 saw Reghan finishing 5th, Claire 6th and Lily 13th…. But as is often the case, the numbers don’t do justice to the girls' performances. Reghan has only recently aged up and had a splendid event, resetting after a difficult quarter final, she played well to defeat Claire in the 5 / 6 playoff. Claire had a stellar performance again, following up on her semi-final in the Boston JCT last month - she will be a contender in the GU17 sooner rather than later. Lily in many ways was the story of the draw, with awesome, close matches against players rated vastly higher. Fast, deceptive and effortful, Jamie and I were huge fans of Miss Lily’s tournament.
Of our other Squash Tigers, Erica did well to finish 5th in the GU13, coming out ahead in several huge five game matches to take 5th - only being defeated by the eventual winner! Mimi, our GU11 phenom finished in the 9/12 bracket and Parth in his first BU17 JCT had five high standard tough matches to welcome him into the age group.
JCT #3 will be conducted in Redwood City, California and very much “into the lion's den”, with some great juniors from San Francisco which has a bundle of strong programs, including Charlie Johnson’s Academy. Back at the club, it’s a BOAST WEEK in our curriculum, with speed/agility work on the penalty boxes and for the Performance Program it’s our Monthly Physical Testing Week - so make sure to bring your legs and brains to training!
Again, well done to the crew who contested the Philly JCT both on their performances and on the inspiration they provided to their teammates, who look to join them at the top of the junior game soon!
