Setting the scene
US Squash will conduct the 2025 National Junior Championships at the Arlen Specter Center this coming weekend. 13 Squash Tigers qualified to contest the 10 divisions over three days. As I always like to point out, in the most competitive time ever for junior squash, simply qualifying for the elite draws was an achievement in itself and everyone involved should be proud of their seasons.
What will it look like?
If you don't regularly check the Tigers Insta, this is your weekend to get into it! We'll be covering each day on the story, posting daily updates and eventually putting a Championship sized photo dump on our Facebook page!
The interesting percentage is 50%
When all was said and done, it's an unusual year for the program, with 50% of our qualifiers in their down year... Not only would we want some big wins this year, but it's already exciting for those players and next years draws!
Bifurcation, so to speak...
Big weekend ahead, and when the Gold Nationals have concluded, the program slightly bifurcates, with the two tracks being somewhat self evident. Our top players are in what we call a transition phase, a little rest then the start of Spring, which is the season for technical development and physical improvement. Our Silver and Bronze National players are preparing for the culmination of their own seasons next weekend where, with the help of our coaches, they will be looking to go out on a high.
The way forward
Good luck to all the crew, both this weekend and for the Silver/Bronze Nationals. For those not contesting either event, the truth is always that Nationals are won in March, but much of a player's success and process is determined in the training blocks between April and September. All have the will to win, but not all have the will to prepare… so never tell me I didn’t give you a friendly coach warning and maybe with hard work we will have twice as many NJ Tigers in the Nationals next year! :)
Stay tuned for an exciting weekend in prospect!
