Scottish double success for BofA squash stars
Central Scotland squash head coach Jane Martin said she is delighted and proud after her charges produced record number of podium finishes at The Scottish Junior Open in Edinburgh.
The icing on the cake of what was an unbelievable glory haul, in which a staggering one third of the 30 medals up for grabs were claimed by Central juniors, was produced by a twin double title triumph for Lucy Murchie and Kyle Penman.
The Bridge of Allan Sports Club junior aces both doubled up on glory with Lucy claiming the under-17 and under-19 titles in the girls and Kyle the under-15 and under-17 boys’sections in front of an ecstatic Central contingent.
It was a record breaking performance that left Jane, the former world No 8 and last year’s Scottish Squash Coach of the Year, saying:“It was a fantastic weekend of high quality squash and for our Central players to take 10 of the 30 medals up for grabs is by far and away our best ever performance at the Scottish Junior Open and I’m proud of every one of our contingent and they should be equally so of themselves.”
She added:“I don’t like to single out anyone as a rule but by doing that you aren’t giving credit where credit is due and that isn’t right.
“For Lucy Murchie and Kyle Penman to win double age categories was a tremendous feat and one that rewarded their sacrifices, dedication and talent.
“But equally we were strongly represented throughout the events right through with Merryn Penman showing real promise in a third placed finish in the girls under-13.
“Anna Halliday and Rowan Niven were second and third in a really strongly contested under-15 girls event in which they can consider themselves unlucky not to have contested the title match.
“For Rowan to go again and claim third place in the under-16s was also highly impressive and reflected well on the extra work she has been doing.
“Then we had Oliver Hunter continuing to underline his development with a fine third place in the boys under-15.
“Hopefully all these medals are ample reward for the sacrifices of the kids’ parents.”
But Jane was also keen to applaud all her central competitors as she reflected on the region’s finest ever performance at the nationals.
She said:“Sport is inclusive and it is all about ‘the taking part’and all our kids, even when they didn’t make it onto the podium and get a medal, did so with good grace and deserve huge credit.
“It’s a huge well done to all of them across the board but at the same time we need to refocus and get ready to go again at the Bridge of Allan Gold event in March.
“So, there will be no resting on laurels and more hard work is on the agenda.”