Barbadian players claimed a record four individual gold medals on Day 3 of the 32nd annual Junior Caribbean Squash Championships which continued yesterday (Tuesday) in Bermuda. Barbados’ haul of four individual gold medals from eight age group categories bettered its previous record tally of three gold and one silver medals that were won at these Championships in Trinidad last year and was the highest number of gold medals won by any of the seven competing territories at this year’s event.
In the GU-13 final, the top seed and defending Caribbean champion from Barbados, Meagan Best, easily defeated Mia Mahfood (JAM) 11-7, 11-2, 11-1 to retain her title in her third straight Caribbean final in this age group. In the BU-13 division, the top seed and defending Caribbean champion from Barbados, Khamal Cumberbatch, had to work a little harder but also won his match against Kai Bentick (OECS) in straight games 11-9, 11-6, 11-7. This pattern was repeated in the U-15 age group as the Barbadian silver medalist from last year, Amanda Haywood, dispatched Alexandria Yearwood (TRI) 11-1, 11-4, 11-2 while in his first age group final, Josiah Shemane Griffith, comprehensively defeated the top seed Jonathon Walker (JAM) 11-6, 11-5, 11-2.
In addition, Barbadian Gylla Mackenzie (GU-19) defeated Emma Keane (BER) 3-0 to finish fifth while both Stewart St. John (BU-19) and Reggie Brewster (BU-15) defeated their respective opponents David Mullins (JAM) and Nicholas Caddle (TRI) in four games to also finish in fifth position.
When contacted the Manager of the Barbados team, Michael Best, stated that “We are obviously very pleased with the results. The kids were very focused and determined to do well. We are now looking forward to the team competition as we are determined to improve on last year’s third place finishes.”
Barbados has been placed in Pool B in both the boys and girls team events along with Jamaica, Cayman and the OECS. Pool A comprises the defending champions, Guyana as well as Trinidad and Tobago and hosts, Bermuda, Barbados’ boys face Cayman and the OECS today (Wednesday) in round robin play. Barbados’ girls face Cayman today but then have to play two ties tomorrow. Team semi-finals will be held on Friday and finals on Saturday. The team will return to Barbados on Sunday July 20th.
Tue 15th, Day THREE:
FINALS (selected results):
GU13 Meagan Best (BAR) bt Mia Mahfood (JAM) 3-0 (11-7, 11-2, 11-1)
BU13 Khamal Cumberbatch (BAR) bt Kai Bentick (OECS) 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-7)
GU15 Amanda Haywood (BAR) bt Alexandria Yearwood (T&T) 3-0 (11-1, 11-4, 11-2)
BU15 Josiah Griffith (BAR) bt Jonathon Walker (JAM) 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-2)
GU17 Alyssa Mullings (JAM) bt Lorissa Wiltshire (GUY) 3-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-5)
BU17 Julian Jervis (CAY) bt Jason Doyle (OECS) 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 11-6)
GU19 Charlotte Knaggs (T&T) bt Akela Wiltshire(GUY) 3-1 (7-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-7)
BU19 Julian Morrison(JAM) bt Jake Mahfood (JAM) 3-0 (11-8, 12-10, 11-6)
