The future of Bermudian squash was on full display this weekend as nine new champions were crowned at the Hiscox Bermuda Junior National Squash Championships.
Hosted at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association Club, the tournament provided a showcase of grit and technical prowess across all age brackets.
While several divisions saw dominant displays of skill, it was the marathon encounters and the elite Under 19 categories that truly captured the imagination of the Devonshire crowd.
The showpiece Under 19 Divisions delivered high-stakes action with contrasting paths to the podium. In the Boys Under 19 Final, the second-seeded Eli Carpol produced a clinical masterclass to dismantle the top seed Andrew Cox in straight games, claiming the title with an 11-3, 11-4, 11-3 victory.
The Girls Under 19 crown was decided by the narrowest of margins following a competitive round-robin format. Olivia Sherratt emerged as the champion despite a thrilling loss to McKenna Kyme in her final match. Because every player in the group finished with a win and a loss, the title was decided by game percentages, with Sherratt’s earlier four-game win over Somers Stevenson proving enough to secure the trophy.
Persistence was the theme of the week as several competitors survived grueling five-set marathons to progress.
In the Boys Under 11 semi-final, Roman Shaw displayed immense character to outlast Zack McClure in a twenty-three-minute epic that finished 11-9 in the fifth.
A similar drama unfolded in the Boys Under 13 semi-final, where Edward Ross was forced to dig deep against Cameron Shailer. After leading by two games, Ross saw his advantage evaporate as Shailer took the third and fourth, but Ross regained his composure to take the decider 11-3.
The most physical battle of the tournament occurred in the Boys Under 17 Final between Michael Schrah and William Frith.
In a see-saw contest that lasted thirty-eight minutes, both players refused to yield, trading games until the very end. Schrah eventually found the extra gear needed in the fifth set to secure an 11-8 victory and the national title.
Even in the elite Girls Under 19 division, the marathon trend continued as Olivia Sherratt fell to McKenna Kyme in a five-set spectacle that saw Kyme take the final frame 11-6. These displays of endurance and mental fortitude served as a fitting end to a championship that proved the island’s junior squash scene is in exceptionally capable hands.
Monday, December 22, 2025
Smith Exits US Junior Open after Consolation Run
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Bermudian youth squash standout Mason Smith has concluded his campaign at the 2025 United States Junior Open Squash Championships in Philadelphia after a competitive showing in the consolation brackets.
Competing in the Boys Under 13 First Consolation Division, Smith’s run was halted in the Round of 32 at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center.
Smith, who entered the consolation draw following a marathon five-set opening-round defeat earlier in the tournament, faced a stern challenge in the shape of the United States’ Justin Lui.
Lui proved a clinical opponent on home soil, securing a victory in straight sets. Smith fought valiantly, pushing the second game to a tie-break, but ultimately fell 11-5, 12-10, 11-7.
Despite the exit in Philadelphia, 2025 has been a historic year for Smith. Earlier this summer, he was crowned the Boys Under 13 Caribbean Champion at the CASA Championships in the Cayman Islands, where he defeated Guyana’s Ethan Bulkan in straight sets to claim his third consecutive regional title.
His performance in Philadelphia, which included a flawless straight-sets win over Canada’s George Qureshi to reach the Round of 16 in a previous consolation stage, further underscores his status as one of Bermuda’s brightest sporting prospects.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Smith Rallies in Philadelphia after Opening Day Heartbreak
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Bermudian youth prospect Mason Smith experienced a rollercoaster opening to his campaign at the United States Junior Open Squash Championship in Philadelphia. Competing in the Boys Under 13 Division, Smith demonstrated remarkable resilience after suffering a gut-wrenching defeat in the main draw.
Smith’s tournament began with a marathon five-set encounter against Canada’s Cayton Zichen Liu. The Canadian appeared to be in total control early on, clinical in his execution to take the first game 11-5 and the second 11-6.
Faced with a 2-0 deficit, Smith began an inspired fightback. He clawed his way back into the match by edging the third game 11-9 and then dominated the fourth 11-4 to force a decider. However, in a tense fifth game that swung back and forth, Liu regained his composure to secure the match 11-9 and advance to the next round.
Despite the disappointment of the main draw exit, Smith immediately found his rhythm in the Consolation Round. He opened his account with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Raghav Swaminathan of the United States, navigating the match with scores of 11-8, 6-11, 11-5, and 11-9.
Building on that momentum, the young Bermudian secured a spot in the Round of 16 with a flawless performance against George Qureshi. Smith, who has previously faced Qureshi on the Canadian junior circuit, controlled the match from the outset to win in straight sets, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7.
Friday, December 19, 2025
Carrick Bows Out of Georgia Open
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Bermudian squash standout Taylor Carrick has seen his campaign at the $6,000 Men’s Georgia Open 2025 come to an abrupt end after a challenging second-round encounter in Atlanta.
Carrick, competing at the Atlanta Community Squash center, entered the tournament with high expectations after receiving a first-round bye as a seeded player. However, his journey in the PSA Challenger Tour event was cut short when he came up against Mexico’s Wally de los Santos in the second round.
The match proved to be a difficult test for the 24-year-old Bermudian, who struggled to find his rhythm against a clinical opponent. De los Santos maintained control throughout the contest, ultimately securing a victory in straight sets.
The Mexican took the opening two games with identical 11-7 scorelines, frustrating Carrick’s attempts to mount a comeback. De los Santos then accelerated in the third to close out the match 11-5, bringing an end to Carrick's week in Georgia.
Despite the early exit in Atlanta, Carrick remains in the midst of a productive year on the professional circuit. His 2025 highlights include:
National Success: Reclaiming the top spot in the Bermuda national rankings.
Regional Medals: Securing a bronze medal at the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Senior Championships in Guyana this November.
World Ranking: Achieving a career-high world ranking of 158 in June.
The Georgia Open served as another valuable opportunity for Carrick to test himself against international competition as he continues to climb the PSA standings.
Monday, December 15, 2025
Moss and Mustangs Start Season with Dominant Sweep
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The Western Mustangs Women's Squash team, featuring standout player Hailey Moss, has opened its new season in commanding fashion, securing a decisive 7-0 victory over the Guelph Gryphons at the London Squash Club.
This dominant start carries forward the momentum from earlier this year when Moss and her teammates, known for their skill and determination, claimed the OUA Championship Gold Medal in front of a roaring crowd. That championship victory was the Mustangs' first OUA banner since 2013 and the 15th in the programme's history.
The season-opening sweep against Guelph demonstrates the team's continued strength, with the Mustangs having dominated the Gryphons in similar fashion during their gold-medal run, defeating them 7-0 at that OUA Championship as well.
Moss herself proved to be a critical player in that championship success, remaining undefeated throughout the OUA tournament, and securing the crucial point in the nail-biting 4-3 final match victory over the University of Toronto. Now, Moss and the Mustangs look set for another impactful season as they build towards repeating their provincial title success.
