This past
weekend, the U.S. Junior Women’s Squad trained in Wilmington,
Delaware with Assistant Coach Meredeth Quick, newly appointed
Head Coach Jack Wyant and renowned sports physiologist
Damon Leedale-Brown.
Formerly part of England Squash, Damon trained three World Junior
Championship teams and now resides in Wilmington and works with many
of the US National Teams. The squad is preparing for the Junior
Women’s World Squash Championships to be held in August, 2007 in
Hong Kong.
The squad members in attendance were Samantha Beuchner
(Newport, RI), Olivia Blachford (Brooklyn, NY), Julie
Cerullo (Brooklyn, NY), Hanna Conant (Philadelphia, PA),
Cece Cortes (Boston, MA), Logan Greer (Philadelphia,
PA), Emery Holton (Philadelphia, PA), Natasha Kingshot
(Greenwich, CT), Annie Madeira (Philadelphia, PA), Lexi
Saunders (Wilmington, DE) and Sarah Toomey (Norwich, VT).
The Squad arrived Friday afternoon at the Reflex Squash & Fitness
Club prepared to train intensely and improve many aspects of their
games. They kicked off the weekend with conditioned games focusing
on preparation and precision with the aid of target areas. Next up,
Damon administered rigorous speed and endurance tests that drew
blood—in the literal sense! Damon measured blood lactic acid levels
before and after each test. Sesame Street band-aids and numbing
spray eased the pain in their throbbing fingers enabling further
training.
Friday night the Squad found inspiration in the legend of Vince
Papale of “Invincible”, a film that recounted the success of a real
life underdog. The final stop of the evening was Wawa, where the
Philly girls introduced the rest of the squad to its mouthwatering
delicacies. This included Logan Greer’s “Reeces Shake”, perhaps not
approved of by the Wawa (or coaching) staff—but savored by the team!
During Saturday’s double sessions the squad trained, ran and endured
a push-up test. The squad concluded Sunday with Damon’s customized
Conditioning Circuit and challenge matches. The Stripes edged the
Stars (intrasquad match) 4-2.
The went their various ways eagerly anticipating the next gathering,
the Hunder Lott in Philadelphia in November 10-12.
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Cece
Julie
Natasha
Logan
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US
Junior Women's Team:
