MONCTON, N.B. – Quebec won both the men’s and women’s national team squash championships on Sunday.
Fifth-seeded Quebec defeated B.C. 2-1 to win the women’s title.
“We are surprised to win the gold,” said Tara Newman of Montreal, a member of last year’s fifth-place team. “We had no expectations.
“But we just improved as the tournament wore on. We had a couple of big wins in the round robin and gained confidence.”
Alexandra Norman gave Quebec a 1-0 lead defeating Sarah Parsons 9-4, 9-2, 9-5. Olga Puidgemont Sola cemented the gold by rallying from a 2-1 deficit to down Emma Parke 9-7, 5-9, 1-9, 9-2, 9-2. Newman lost her match 9-2, 9-3, 6-9, 9-4 to Alicia Haneine.
Ontario defeated Manitoba 3-0 to win the bronze medal.
Rebecca Hazell beat Nichole Mailey 9-3, 9-3, 9-3 before Stephanie Edmison defeated Alix Younger 9-0, 10-8, 9-1. Leah Debarres got past Danielle Parent 7-9, 9-5, 9-2, 9-7.
At age 46, Parent was the oldest player in the tournament.
“I’m certainly going to feel some pain (Monday),” said Parent, who also runs half marathons. “It’s not getting easier but I certainly still enjoy the sport.”
Quebec defeated Manitoba 2-1 at the men’s team nationals in Winnipeg.
After Mike Reid of Montreal lost the first match, David Phillips of Beaconsfield, Que., and Jason DeLierre of Brossard, Que., posted wins in the final two matches.
“I felt some pressure in my match,” Phillips said. “I won 3-0 but it was a tough match that lasted more than 40 minutes.”
