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CANADA

VICTORIA – Laura Gemmell of Toronto successfully defended her women's title and Kelly Shannon of Calgary took the men's under-19 crown to highlight Sunday's finals at the Bayview Residences 2008 Canadian Junior Squash Championships.

In the women's under-19 final, top-seeded Gemmell defeated number-two Samantha Cornett of Ottawa 9-8, 9-4, 9-6. Gemmell didn't lose a game in the entire tournament. Nikole Todd of Regina defeated Jaime Laird of Calgary for the bronze.

''It was a good match,'' said Gemmell. ''I had to be patient and I didn't attack as much as I would have liked. I stayed calm and tried not to make any mistakes.''

In the men's final, Shannon, seeded first, improved on last year's third place finish with a hard-fought 9-8, 9-7, 9-7, win over Frederick Reid of Markham, Ont., the third-seed. Shannon came from behind late in each of the three games. Brian Hong of Toronto defeated Ryan Herden of Vancouver for third spot.

''I managed to keep disciplined and fight back in each game,'' said Shannon. ''I was happy to get it done in three because you never want to be out there longer than you have to. We'd played recently and I knew he improved a lot. I was expecting a tough match.''

The under-17 competition was fierce as both finals went the five-game limit. Jennifer Pelletier of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Nicholas Sachvie of St. Catharines, Ont., emerged the winners.

Sachvie, the top-seed, blew a 2-0 games lead but still prevailed over Arjun Gupta of Toronto 9-7, 9-2, 0-9, 3-9, 9-1 in the men's final. It is the fourth time, Sachvie has made a Canadian junior final but Sunday was his first win. Andrew Schnell of Calgary defeated Adam Engel of Pickering, Ont., for the bronze.

For complete story and results: www.squash.ca/e/story_detail.cfm?id=1681

VICTORIA – Top-seed Laura Gemmell of Toronto is now only two wins from successfully defending her title in the women's under-19 division after advancing to the semifinals Friday at the Bayview Residences 2008 Canadian Junior Squash Championships.

Gemmell defeated Kelsey Tole of Calgary in her quarterfinal 9-0, 9-3, 9-0 and faces Nikole Todd in her semi on Saturday. Todd advanced with a 9-3, 9-3, 8-9, 9-4 victory over Erin Roberts of Calgary.

''It was a good match and I felt we both played really well,'' said Gemmell, who pocketed victories at the U.S., and Canadian junior opens earlier this season. ''I was pleased with my shot selection in particular. I try not too think about the number-one seeding and take one match at a time. But it certainly gives you a challenge to be at number-one for a tournament.''

The other semi pits second-seed Samantha Cornett of Ottawa against Jaime Laird of Calgary. Laird needed five games to eliminate B.C.'s Kristen Iverson while Cornett hasn't lost a game in her two matches so far.

In the men's under-19, top-seed Kelly Shannon of Calgary beat Eliot Buchanan of Edmonton 9-6, 9-3, 10-9 to advance to the semis. Frederick Reid of Markham, Ont., is also headed to the semis. The other two quarterfinals were held later Friday.

''So far so good,'' said Shannon, third in the age group last year. ''Eliot is a player I know well and it was a tight match. We both played really well.''

Other top-seeds headed to the semis for the women are Alix Younger of Winnipeg in under-17 and Danielle Letourneau of Calgary in under-15 and for the men Nicholas Sachvie of St. Catharines, Ont., in under-17, Tyler Olson of Victoria in under-15 and Jake Beck of Toronto in under-13.

In girls under-13, Ontario's Madlen O'Connor eliminated number-one Kathryn Milligan of Delta, B.C., in five games in the quarterfinals.

One of the featured attractions at this tournament is the all glass court at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. It's the first time the portable court has been used at the junior nationals.

''The glass court is treating my game well,'' said Andre Schnell of Calgary, the second seed in the men's under-17 who advanced to the semis on Friday. ''It takes a bit of time to get use to but once you get use to it really helps.''

www.squash.ca/canadianjuniors/2008