A WORLD-CLASS PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENT: THE EBS DAYTON OPEN
For a week each January at the Dayton Squash Center, many of the world’s leading squash players take part in the EBS Dayton Open. The event began in 2001 with a purse of $10,000, and for men only. In 2005 the event offered $50,000: $40,000 for the men, and $10,000 for the women, who were playing for the first time. The men’s field consisted of 27 players, including six of the world’s top 10 players, three of whom have held the world No. 1 ranking. World No. 3 and tournament No. 1 seed Peter Nicol, of England, defeated world No.10 and tournament No. 2 seed Amr Shabana of Egypt, three games to none in the finals. Among the 22 women were two of the world’s top 10 players. The women’s final was also 3-0, with Linda Elriani of England, the world No. 6 and tournament No. 1 seed, defeating world No. 10 and tournament No. 2 seed Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt.
A THRIVING JUNIORS PROGRAM: THE DAYTON CHALLENGE
During the 2004-05 season, 127 middle-school students took part in the Dayton Challenge juniors program sponsored by the Miami Valley Squash Foundation at the Dayton Squash Center and directed by professionals Charlie Johnson and Julian Wellings.
Challenge members travel each year to the Ohio State Junior Invitational in Cincinnati and the Deroy Junior Invitational in Birmingham, MI, and play in the Midwestern Juniors Championships at the Center.
Two Dayton juniors, Brad Spiegel and Andy North, have been the strongest players in this division. Brad defeated Andy in the finals in Cincinnati (he also won in Birmingham against another player). Andy turned the tables in the Midwestern Juniors, winning 3-0 over Brad. In the 2005 Baby Boomers tournament, Brad was a finalist in the 3.5 skills-level division, while Dayton junior Herbie Gross won the 3.0 skills-level division final over another Dayton junior, Simon Carr.
The Dayton Challenge began in 2002 with 86 participants. Another 30 or so elementary and high school students play at the Center.
|
