Overall turnout highlights Early Bird squash tournament

Squash players of all ages and skill levels took part in their first tournament of the 2008-09 season this past weekend at the Better Bodies Cross Training Centre.

Squash players of all ages and skill levels took part in their first tournament of the 2008-09 season this past weekend at the Better Bodies Cross Training Centre.
Among the highlights at this year’s Early Bird squash tournament included the number of entries, which at 50 competitors was a five-year record to the delight of Better Bodies squash pro Marie Desmarais.
“It’s a great sign and it’s great time to have so many people playing,“ she said. “I think just a bunch of new people are trying the game and realizing that it’s lots of fun and easy to play.“
Kyle Marchuk rebounded after dropping the first game to beat Jeff Seaman in four sets in the men’s A final (5-9, 9-6, 9-6, 9-7).
Eric Marcoux locked down first place in the open B category after he defeated Peter Mather in four games, winning the match 6-9, 9-4, 9-1, 9-1.
Chris Zeigler was in top form in the men’s C final, defeating Glen Rudman in three straight games. The final score was 9-5, 9-3, 9-4.
Patti Flather took care of business in the women’s C division in her final against Jen Meurer. Flather went on to win the match by a final score of 9-3, 9-1, 9-7.
The women’s novice round robin category was won by Kathleen Froese, while Stephanie Dick placed second.
Joan Moffitt also competed in the women’s novice division. Moffitt, who just took up the sport last spring, said she improved as a squash player as a result of the Early Bird tournament.
“It’s fun and it’s a challenge,“ she said. “You play with people that you don’t normally play. Most of them were better than me, but rather than compare myself to them, I tried to just learn from them and just try to focus on myself and how I am progressing.“
Moffitt is currently taking lessons at Better Bodies and is in the Drill Till You Drop program. She said the lessons with Desmarais really helped at the tournament.
“Marie is awesome for the job,“ Moffitt said. “She is really energizing and she is great support and even if you are just at the very beginning, she makes you believe that you can do this.“ 
The battle of the juniors was won by Kelly Panchyshyn, while Jack Woodwalker came in second.
There were no prizes awarded to the players, however all of the participants entered in the Early Bird were entered into a draw prize for an Air North flight ticket, which was valued at $750.
Phil Jackson was the eventual winner of the ticket.