The top racquetball players in Canada battled it out in Vernon this past weekend for a chance to represent the country on the world stage. Samuel Murray and Frédérique Lambert emerged victorious, securing their spots on national teams.
The top racquetball players from across Canada converged in Vernon this past weekend, competing fiercely for the honor of representing the maple leaf in upcoming international tournaments. Nearly 20 elite athletes participated in the Racquetball Canada Winter National Team Selection Event at The Roster Sports Club on February 7th and 8th.
Samuel Murray of Baie-Comeau, Quebec, and Frédérique Lambert of Montreal, Canada's top-ranked male and female racquetball athletes respectively, solidified their dominance by securing victories in the men's and women's open divisions.Murray and Lambert, reigning national champions in their respective categories, showcased their exceptional skills throughout the event. In a thrilling men's final on Saturday, February 8th, Murray faced Coby Iwaasa of Lethbridge, Alberta. Iwaasa initially took the lead, winning the opening game, but Murray staged a powerful comeback, claiming three consecutive games with scores of 13-16, 11-7, and 11-9.Meanwhile, in the women's final, Lambert faced Juliette Parent of Saint-Jacques, Quebec. Parent began strongly, but Lambert took control, securing a decisive victory in three straight games: 11-7, 11-3, and 11-6. The bronze medal matches saw both men's and women's divisions feature intense battles. The men's match pitted Manitoba natives Kurtis Cullen and Leyton Gouldie against each other, with Cullen ultimately emerging victorious in straight games (11-2, 11-9, and 11-4). In the women's bronze medal match, Ofelia Wilscam of Repentigny, Quebec, narrowly defeated Chloé Jauvin of Terrebonne, Quebec, in a hard-fought contest that spanned three games (11-8, 11-9, and 14-12).The Vernon event served as the second selection event of the 2024-25 season, with athletes vying for coveted spots on national and international teams. Final team announcements for both the World Games and the Pan American Championships are expected in the coming weeks. There are three national teams in total, each comprising six athletes: the national elite team, a development team, and a junior team. This Vernon event was one of three opportunities throughout the season for players to accumulate points towards national team status.The previous selection event took place in Brandon, Manitoba, this past fall, and the final opportunity will be the national championships in Burlington, Ontario, from May 18th to 24th. The tournaments hold significant stakes, as they offer a chance to represent Canada at the 2025 Pan American Championships in Guatemala City in April and the World Games in Chengdu, China, in August.This marked the second time that Roster Sports Club has hosted a Racquetball Canada qualifier event, with the first having been held in 2018. The age range of the competing athletes was impressive, spanning from 17 to 41 years old. Among them was Kelowna's David Serra, a remarkable 41-year-old athlete who remains British Columbia's top-ranked racquetball player. Serra was the highest-placing local competitor, finishing 10th in the event. During a break between matches at The Roster, Serra spoke with The Morning Star. He recounted his recent victory over his opponent in the Western Nationals just three weeks prior. While he ultimately lost his final match and placed 10th, Serra expressed confidence and satisfaction with his performance. He emphasized his love for the sport and the opportunity to compete at a high level, especially at his age. Serra was inspired by the younger generation of players, observing their impressive skill development and unwavering passion for racquetball.Racquetball Canada extended its gratitude to the Vernon Racquetball Association and Roster Sports Club for hosting the event. Special thanks were given to tournament organizer Bob Wolf, along with his dedicated sponsors and volunteers.
RACQUETBALL CANADA NATIONAL TEAM VERNON INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION SAMUEL MURRAY FRÉDÉRIQUE LAMBERT WORLD GAMES PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Power tool empowerment: Vernon home to Canada's first She ShedThe She Shed opened doors to its own workshop on 45th Avenue Jan. 1
Read more »
Canada Deploys Helicopters and Drones to Strengthen U.S.-Canada Border SecurityCanada is bolstering security along its border with the U.S. by deploying helicopters, drones, and advanced surveillance technology. Public Safety Minister David McGuinty announced these measures, citing a significant drop in illegal crossings since June 2024 due to visa restrictions.
Read more »
Health Canada says synthetic red food dye banned by FDA poses no human risk in CanadaTORONTO — Health Canada says a synthetic dye newly banned from the U.S. food supply does not pose a health risk to the general population in Canada. The federal agency said it won’t echo a ban by the U.S.
Read more »
New Canada coach Casey Stoney recalls past encounters with Canada on the pitchNew Canada women's coach Casey Stoney has vivid memories of facing Canada on the football pitch. At the 2012 London Olympics, Stoney experienced the high of captaining Britain to a 1-0 win over Brazil before a crowd of 70,584 at Wembley Stadium.
Read more »
New Canada Coach Casey Stoney Remembers Tough Battles Against Team CanadaCasey Stoney, the newly appointed coach of the Canadian women's national soccer team, recalls her past encounters with Canada during her time playing for Great Britain. She vividly remembers both the exhilarating victory against Brazil at the 2012 London Olympics and the heartbreaking loss to Canada in the quarterfinals, which deeply affected her.
Read more »
Canada's Inflation Eases, But Bank of Canada Faces Tough Trade-OffCanada's inflation rate dipped in December, but a leading economist warns that the Bank of Canada will likely prioritize stimulating the economy over immediate inflation control, given the looming threat of US tariffs and slowing growth.
Read more »