Shawn Simpson and Karen Meakins are the 2004 Barbados National Squash Champions. The pair won their respective finals on Saturday evening at the Barbados Squash Club in the 2004 National Championships, sponsored by the Barbados Olympic Association. The event hosted by the Barbados Squash Rackets Association was played over two weeks with both a Veterans Competition and an Open Men’s and Ladies? event.
Twenty year old Shawn Simpson, a UWI student, impressed throughout the tournament, with his focussed and powerful play. In the semi finals, Simpson, the No 2 seed, defeated Mark Sealy, the former eight-time National Champion. He then moved on to the finals where he upset No 1 Seed and defending champion, Andy Gill in four games (3-1). In accepting the coveted trophy, Simpson said he had entered the tournament with high expectations and was very happy with the result. He thanked Mark Sealy for forcing him to step up his play in the semis and preparing him for his match up with Andy Gill, who he considers a tough opponent.
Karen Meakins continues to dominate the local ladies squash scene with her exceptional talent and commendable court demeanour. The tall Brit who has made Barbados her home for several years now, claimed her fourth National title with a win over Sonia Perkins (3-0). Meakins defeated junior Bo Harris in the semis before meeting Perkins in the finals. She cruised through the tournament without dropping any games and conceded very few points to her various opponents. Meakins is currently seeded No 3 in the Caribbean and is the coach of the Ladies National Team.
At the presentation ceremony, representative of the Barbados Olympic Association, Mr Cameron ?Cammie? Burke commended the winners with special mention for Shawn Simpson, previously an awardee of a BOA scholarship. Mr Burke noted the BOA was pleased to be associated with the event and also praised the Barbados Squash Rackets Association for their efforts in the development of Juniors, particularly their Junior Squash Programme.
Winners
Mens Over 50
1st Errol Pilgrim
2nd David Foster
3rd Ian Pickup
Mens Over 45
1st Cliff Nolan
2nd Edwin Wickham
3rd David Spink
Mens Over 40
1st Nigel ?The Dragon? Griffith
2nd Craig Archer
3rd Dean Straker
4th Ricky Edwards
Mens Over 35
1st Marlon White
2nd Mark Sealy
3rd John Cumberbtach
4th Andre Donawa
Ladies senior Open
1st Sonia Perkins
2nd Elizabeth Johnson
3rd Carolyn Last Johnson
Mens Open
1st Shawn Simpson
2nd Andy Gill
3rd Marlon White
4th Mark Sealy
5th Nigel Griffith
Ladies Open
1st Karen Meakins
2nd Sonia Perkins
3rd Bo Harris
4th Nadia McCarthy
5th Cheri-Ann Parris
