Trehan, Miller light up All-Jamaica Junior Squash Championships

THE JUNIORS took centre stage at the 45th All-Jamaica Junior and Senior Squash Championship for the first two days which began on Sunday at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston. Mehar Trehan and Ethan Miller lit up the courts and were the big winners on Monday night.

Trehan and Sanjana Nallapati both got to the final of the Girls’ U19 category after not losing any of their preliminary matches. Trehan, who is the reigning Caribbean U17 squash champion, battled the more experienced Nallapati in a thrilling five-setter that tested their skill and fitness to the very last stroke. Trehan lost the first two games 6-11, 9-11 but roared back to take the final three games 11-6, 11-7, 11-4 to lift the Girls’ Under-19 title in front of a very vocal crowd.

She was ecstatic over the win. “It feels amazing. I’m gonna have the best sleep of my life. Oh my gosh! This was a good day”

“That was hard-fought, and I have to say that we both gave it our all today. And I’m super proud of her. I’m super proud of myself. It comes down to the mental state of it. I’ve played her so much that I know her game in and out. She knows my game in an out. We’re neighbours, you know, so I think really being locked into this match and really focusing in on my strokes and my game strategy really brought it home for me today,” said Trehan.

In the U17 section, Priya Stoddart got the better of Marley Pryce 3-1.

The Girls’ U13 finals went to Marley Pryce, who took out Verenya Singh in a very competitive five-setter after posting scores of 11-5, 8-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-4.

On the boys’ side, Miller celebrated a straight-sets win over Max Henzell in the U17 category. Scores in that match were 11-1, 11-2, 11-5.

Miller credited his disciplined preparation for the win.

“My preparation, I do a lot of fitness work. I do some running, a lot of on court by myself, solo time, drives, all those things. Practicsng my shots, technique, I do match play to work on my awareness. I think that’s my routine coming into this tournament. I think I was well prepared.”

“It feels good. Putting in the training, pushing hard in training behind the scenes. It’s good to see my efforts come out in the light. I’m grateful to have a chance (and a) healthy body to play this tournament, and it feels great, amazing” said Miller.

The Boys’ U15 category went to Govind Vengugopal, who defeated Judah Tavares-Finson 11-8, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 6-11.

The Boys’ U13 section went to Jaden Emery in straight sets (11-4, 11-6, 11-4) over Dendra Stoddart.

The seniors started their competition on Monday and will be on court until Saturday’s finals in the various categories such as men and women and the skills groups of Men’s B, Over 40 and Over 50, and Women’s B, Over 40 and, maybe, Over 50.

Mary Mahfood is back to defend her title while number-one seed on the men’s side Louis Walter enters the fray after not playing in Jamaica since 2019.

The sponsors for this year’s All Jamaica Junior and Senior Squash Championships are GraceKennedy Capital Management, Boilerco, Binds Designs, and Wata.