OTTAWA, ON (October 1, 2019) — Squash Canada is pleased to announce the ten athletes named to the High Performance Squad for 2019/2020. The squad are no strangers to the program as seasoned veterans in the Canadian squash community.
The objective of the High Performance Squad is to prepare Canadian athletes to achieve both Canadian and International excellence. Our athletes receive coaching, athlete services, direct funding to support training and competition expenses, and follow a yearly training plan as counselled and monitored by a Squash Canada’s High Performance Director Martin Heath.
“We are delighted to announce our HP Squad for 2019-20. This is a privilege granted to the elite players in Canada playing PSA events and representing their country on the world stage,” said Squash Canada High Performance Director Martin Heath. “The Squad come together during the summer for camps, have the ability to seek guidance from me during the year and form a community that support each other and seek success at the highest level.”
|
High Performance Squad – 2019/2020 |
|
|
Hollie Naughton (Mississauga, ON) |
Shawn DeLierre (Montreal, QC) |
|
Nikki Todd (Regina, SK) |
Mike McCue (Sudbury, ON) |
|
Danielle Letourneau (Calgary, AB) |
David Baillargeon (Montreal, QC) |
|
Nicole Bunyan (Victoria, BC) |
Nick Sachvie (St. Catharines, ON) |
|
Cameron Seth (Elora, ON) |
|
On the men’s side, up-and-comer Cameron Seth is nearing the top 100 in the PSA World Rankings, after winning his first professional event in Long Island, New York, in May 2019. He also gave Canadian squash icon Shawn Delierre a run for his money at the 2019 Canadian Men’s Open, losing in a close five-setter.
Shawn Delierre is a veteran of the Canadian squash scene, and currently our highest ranked in the Men’s PSA World Rankings at #85. He has represented Canada at many international events over the years, including four Pan Am Games, three Commonwealth Games and five World Team Championships. Shawn is recognized as one of the fittest squash players on the tour, holding the world record for longest squash match ever recorded, lasting 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Mike McCue recently captured his second professional title at the 2019 Kiva Club Open in Santa Fe, USA. He now follows closely behind Shawn in the PSA World Rankings, at #90. Mike is a two-time Ontario Provincial Champion and recently finished 4th at the 2019 Canadian Men’s Open.
David Baillargeon was a talented junior player, winning the highly contested Canadian Junior Open title in 2014, and he has carried this success into his professional career. He has made a steady ascent up the PSA World Rankings, currently sitting at #104. He finished 5th at the 2019 Canadian Men’s Open, after losing in a close five-setter to fellow top Canadian player, Andrew Schnell.
Nick Sachvie graduated from Cornell University, where he was a member of the varsity squash team. After university, Nick has since captured two Canadian Men’s Open titles in 2017 and most recently in 2019. This earned him an automatic spot on the four-member Canadian Squad that will be competing at the prestigious World Team Championships in December.
On the women’s side, Toronto native Hollie Naughton leads the Canadian women as the highest ranked player at #30 in the PSA World Rankings. She captured her first PSA title in 2014, at the ORC Open, and has also won the Canadian Women’s Open Championship in 2016 and 2017.
Danielle Letourneau was a member of the Cornell University varsity squash team, having served as team captain for two years. Since graduation, Danielle won the of 2018 National title, and has placed in the top three of the Canadian Women’s Open every year from 2014 to 2019.
Nicole Bunyan was a member of the varsity squash seam at Princeton University, until her graduation in 2015, and has received her personal trainer certification from the National Academy of Sport Medicine in the United States. Nicole won her first PSA title in 2018 at the E.M. Noll Philadelphia Racquet Club Classic.
Nikki Todd has represented Canada at several international team events including the 2015 Pan Am Games, the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and the 2018 Pan American Squash Championships. Nikki recently made it to the finals of a PSA event in Ecuador, an impressive feat after recovering from injury.
To access player bios please click here.
