Extras

As much as we would have liked to post everything that was happening during the event, staff members were busy and didn't get a chance to get everything online as it happened.

This post is dedicated to the players - all of the stuff you haven't seen yet.

All of the photos from the weekend have now been posted online and are available here.

Photos and videos were taken throughout the weekend by staff members and dedicated team members - thank you Harrison Gill (BU13), Grace Doyle (GU13), and Isabel Hirshberg (GU15) for helping collect these memories!

Below are the videos that didn't make it into other posts with accompanying captions:

Team USA huddle immediately after introductions on Sunday:

Isabel Hirshberg (GU15) playing Round Robin matches on Saturday:

Team USA Girls warming up and having fun on Saturday:

Ryan Murray (BU13) and Gilly Lane (Coach) playing some intense table tennis during some down time. Ryan came back from 17-20 to tie it up, but Gilly was too strong in the end.

Harrison Gill (BU13) getting some coaching advice from Gilly Lane (Coach):

Thomas Kingshott (BU17) playing Round Robin matches on Saturday:

Emily Jones (GU17) playing Alyssa Mehta (ON) in her match on Sunday:

Team USA Champions walking on court for their Team Photo on Sunday:

Once again, thank you to all who participated in the 2011 Ontario-American Challenge and congratulations to Team USA!

Until Next Year...

The trip is over, but the memories will last forever. U.S. SQUASH thanks all of the players and coaches for making the 2011 Ontario-American Challenge fun, exciting, and memorable for all. A big thank you is also due to Mark Sachvie, the Director of Racket Sports at White Oaks, and this trip would not have been possible without his efforts - thank you Mark!

And, finally, congratulations to the players for Team USA who repeated as champions bringing home the Ont-Ams Trophy for the second year in a row!

Once again, thank you to all for making this event so special and keep training hard for next year where Team USA will defend their title.

Team USA Wins the 2011 Ontario-American Challenge!

Team USA repeated as champions earlier today at the 2011 Ontario-American Challenge. In a convincing fashion, USA beat the Canadians 16-8 in overall matches. Overall, the Americans won 48 games to Canada's 34 games. Players from both teams competed hard, but Team USA pushed through and came out on top. Full results posted below:

USA def. Canada – 16-8
USA 48 Games, Canada 34 Games

BU13 – USA 3-1

Harrison Gill (U.S.) def. Justin Ghaeli (ON) – 5, 8, (4), 3

Ryan Murray (U.S.) def. Ravi Seth (ON) – 7, 11, 7

Terrence Wang (U.S.) def. Jackson Kay (ON) – 4, 4, 8

Julien Gosset (ON) def. Alex Dworetzky (U.S.) – 9, 4, (5), 5

BU15 – USA 3-1

Vince Commisso (ON) def. Derek Hsue (U.S.) – 10, 11, 10

Max Reed (U.S.) def. Carter Robitaille (ON) – 6, 7, 9

Gabriel Morgan (U.S.) def. Alexi Gosset (ON) – 6, 4, 7

Max Martin (U.S.) def. Stephan Houbtchev (ON) – 6, 12, 6

BU17 – USA 3-1

William Douglass (U.S.) def. Josh Hollings (ON) – 5, 3, 6

Nick Guest (ON) def. Jonathan Gill (U.S.) – 6, 8, 9

Zane McGee-Lowdermilk (U.S.) def. Christian Riedelsheimer (ON) – 7, 4, 7

Thomas Kingshott (U.S.) def. Thomas Blecher (ON) – (6), 2, 3, 2

GU13 – USA 3-1

Amy Commisso (ON) def. Jane Pincus (U.S.) – 8, 6, 4

Haley Scott (U.S.) def. Nicole Kendall (ON) – 4, 2, 5

Madeleine Chai (U.S.) def. Rhea Dhar (ON) – (6), (6), 6, 3, 3

Grace Doyle (U.S.) def. Gabriel Renaud (ON) – 6, 2, 2

GU15 – USA 1-3

Allison Richmond (ON) def. Morgan Steelman (U.S.) – 7, 3, 5

Sophie Mehta (ON) def. Grayson Melby (U.S.) – 4, 6, 5

Madlen O’Connor (ON) def. Jessica Yacobucci (U.S.) – 5, 4, 4

Isabel Hirshberg (U.S.) def. Sarah Hopton (ON) – (7), 4, 9, 7

GU17 – USA 3-1

Hollie Naughton (ON) def. Margaux Losty (U.S.) – 4, 3, 6

Emily Jones (U.S.) def. Alyssa Mehta (ON) – 9, (8), 8, (6), 6

Jenny Scherl (U.S.) def. Jillian Baker (ON) – (12), (6), 7, 8, 8

Gabriella Garr (U.S.) def. Deleas McGowan (ON) – (6), 9, 9, 10

Congratulations to Team USA!

Battle of the Border Underway! Good Start for USA

Matches began early here at White Oaks and Team USA is off to a good start. The number 4 players in each age division started first and Team USA went 5-1. Age Group Pictures, Introductions, and the rest of the photos from the match can be found here.

For now, Harrison Gill (BU13) shows his Team USA spirit uniquely with flags on each ear!

Players supported each other throughout the event, giving each other that extra push from their teammates!

Niagara Falls

Saturday Night Team USA and Team Ontario ventured to Niagara Falls. For many, this was their first time to the falls and players were mesmerized by nature's power.

After taking some team photos, the team went on to play mini-golf, get spooked at the haunted house, and enjoy all that Niagara Falls had to offer.

More photos from the adventure will be posted shortly.

Saturday Round Robin Matches

Team USA and Team Ontario faced off yesterday playing a round robin within each age group. A player from one team played all four players from the other team in a best 2 out of 3 style match.

Kids were able to bond more with their northern neighbors and also get some more match experience. Even though players' legs felt heavy from all of their hard work, the kids said they wanted more and were antsy for Sunday's Challenge.

Even with all of the squash going on, the team found some time for fun as well with Head Coach Chris Smith. Some of the GU17 Girls convinced Chris that he needed to follow the Girls' Team Fashion Code and put a bow in his hair.... and this was the final result!

Reverse Ladder Challenge Match Results

Team USA had an impressive performance as they rolled to a 16-8 victory over Canada in the Reverse Ladder Challenge Matches yesterday. In each division, the number 1 players played the number 2 players and the number 3 players played the number 4 players. This gives teams the experience of seeing the depth of their opponent’s ladders. Even with the overall win under Team USA’s belt, the team has kept their focus as they maintain their energy level and team mentality looking towards Sunday Morning – the final matches for the Ontario-American Challenge.

Results from the matches are below:

Team USA 16

Team Canada 8

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BU13 – USA 3-1

Harrison Gill (1) def. Ravi (2) – 4, 8, 8

Ryan Murray (2) def. Justin (1) – 13, (8), 5, 4

Terrence Wang (3) def. Julien (4) – 15, (10), 2, 5

Alex Dworetzky (4) lost to Jackson (3) – (5), 15, 8, 5

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BU15 – USA 4-0

Max Reed (2) def. Vince (1) – 6, 6, 8

Derek Hsue (1) def. Carter (2) – 10, 6, 8

Max Martin (4) def. Alexi (3) – 8, 7, 3

Gabriel Morgan (3) def. Stefan (4) – 5, 8, 3

--

BU17 – USA 4-0

William Douglass (1) def. Nick (2) – 5, 5, 6

Jonathan Gill (2) def. Josh (1) – 9, 8, 9

Zane McGee-Lowdermilk (3) def. Thomas (4) – 3, 6, 0

Thomas Kingshott (4) def. Christian (3) – 10, 7, 4

--

GU13 – USA 3-1

Jane Pincus (1) def. Nicole (2) – 5, 8, 9

Haley Scott (2) def. Amy (1) – 8, 6, (5), 4

Madeleine Chai (3) lost to Gabby (4) – 8, 4, 9

Grace Doyle (4) def. Rhea (3) – 11, 3, 5

--

GU15 – USA 0-4

Morgan Steelman (1) lost to Sophie (2) – 10, 9, (4), 9

Grayson Melby (2) lost to Allison (1) – 4, 2, 3

Jessica Yacobucci (3) lost to Sarah (4) – 8, 7, 9

Isabel Hirshberg (4) lost to Maddie (3) – 8, 7, 2

--

GU17 – USA 2 - 2

Margaux Losty (1) lost to Alyssa (2) – 4, 8, 11

Emily Jones (2) lost to Hollie (1) – 11, 5, 3

Jenny Scherl (3) def. Dileas (4) – 8, 8, (8), 8

Gabriella Garr (4) def Jilly (3) – 11, (3), 4, 4

--

Lake Ontario!

Team USA and Team Ontario got together for a "Pasta-Q" style BBQ tonight on Lake Ontario. Players had worked hard today, but still had enough energy to play games of football, bocce ball, soccer, volleyball, and frisbee in the open fields. That being said, the second food was served, all forty-eight competitors swooped in like hawks on the spaghetti and meatball dinner.

New friendships were made as the American and Canadian players enjoyed the dinner and the view of Lake Ontario together.

At the end of the dinner, both teams went down to the water to take some team photographs. Team USA went on to take age group photos as well as some candid shots.

You can see all of the pictures from the dinner here.

Team USA Training

Team USA hit the courts in the afternoon with passion. All age groups were paired up with coaches who worked them hard with court sprints, accuracy drills, and game-like situation training. Though at the end of the session players were dripping with sweat, they still had smiles on their faces.

During a short break of the BU13 training session, Alex Dworetzky took a moment to reflect on his experience so far being up at White Oaks:

Once training wrapped up, players used some of the lessons had learned from their coaches to stretch out after a long day of squash.

Players then had some some leisure time at the hotel where they swam with some of the coaches, talked in the lobby, and some even kept playing squash! Team spirits were high after a great day of training and everyone was excited for dinner with the Canadian Team on Lake Ontario.

Morning of Day 2 and Reverse Challenge Matches

Day 2 began with a healthy team breakfast in the hotel followed by our first trip to the courts. Some kids hopped right on court to start hitting, while others joined in on a group fitness class! Needless to say, Team USA knows how to have a good time...

Players were excited to receive their uniforms for the weekend and Team USA started warming up.

After meeting Team Ontario, teams played some training drills with each other, worked hard through some fitness exercises, and finished the morning session with Reverse Order Challenge Matches between USA and Canad (1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4 from each Team). Results from these matches will be posted shortly.

Traveling... check. Fun... check!

After a long day of travel, all 24 kids, 6 coaches, and 1 U.S. SQUASH staff member have made it to White Oaks!

The bus ride allowed for some great team bonding while playing card games, watching movies, and catching up between friends. Even though some of us were on the bus for almost 12 hours, it seemed to fly by!

Maybe it could have been Harrison Gill's (BU13) famous Brain Teasers...

Once we arrived at White Oaks, we carbo-loaded at dinner and had our first Team USA Meeting with the entire team. With much excitement, the team bonded over some ping pong and casual conversation before a 10pm curfew.

Day 1 had ended and Team USA got a good night sleep for a long weekend of squash ahead.

2011 Ont-Ams Challenge Teams Announced!

It's that time of the year again! Welcome back to the U.S. SQUASH Ontario-American Challenge Blog.

Elite juniors from around the country have been invited to Niagara-on-the-Falls for a 4 day team trip filled with friends, competition, and fun.

You can follow all of their action here on this blog, which will be updated throughout the trip.

Players depart on Thursday for White Oaks, so check back soon for some more updates!

For now, the Junior Mens' and Womens' U13, U15, and U17 teams have been announced and are published below.

Best of luck to Team USA as they defend their trophy in Ontario!

The Players and Coaches of the 2011 Squad

PLAYERS

BOY'S UNDER 13

HARRISON GILL (Darien, CT)
RYAN A MURRAY (Bronxville, NY)
TERRENCE WANG (Renton, WA)
ALEX DWORETZKY (Philadelphia, PA)

BOY'S UNDER 15

DEREK HSUE (Warren, NJ)
MAX D REED (Lebanon, NH)
GABRIEL MORGAN (Menlo Park, CA)
MAX M MARTIN (New Haven, CT)

BOY'S UNDER 17

WILLIAM T DOUGLASS (Brooklyn, NY)
JONATHAN GILL (Darien, CT)
ZANE S MCGEE-LOWDERMILK (Seattle, WA)
THOMAS KINGSHOTT (Greenwich, CT)

GIRL'S UNDER 13

JANE PINCUS (Brooklyn, NY)
HALEY V SCOTT (Riverside, CT)
MADELEINE P. CHAI (Norwell, MA)
M. GRACE DOYLE (Newtown Square, PA)

GIRL'S UNDER 15

MORGAN V STEELMAN (Philadelphia, PA)
META GRAYSON MELBY (Wyndmoor, PA)
JESSICA M YACOBUCCI (Greenwich, CT)
ISABEL W. HIRSHBERG (Elkins Park, PA)

GIRL'S UNDER 17

MARGAUX LOSTY (Radnor, PA)
EMILY C JONES (Rye, NY)
JENNY SCHERL (South Orange, NJ)
GABRIELLA S. GARR (New York, NY)

COACHES

KELSEY ENGMAN
Head Women's Squash Coach
Columbia University
(New York, NY)

GILLY LANE
U.S. Men's #2 and PSA Ranked #68
(Pennsylvania, PA)

PAMELA SAUNDERS
Associate Head Squash Coach
Yale University
(New Haven,CT)

CHRISTOPHER SMITH
Head Squash Professional
Union Boat Club
(Boston, MA)

JACQUES SWANEPOEL
Head Men's Squash Coach
Columbia University
(New York, NY)

FERNANDA ROCHA
Associate Squash Professional
University Club of Boston
(Boston, MA)

Past Ontario-American Challenges News Coverage

2008 Ontario-American Challenge Web Story Coverage

Past Team Member of the Ontario-American Challenge