A team of eleven top junior US players headed to Wroclaw, Poland, in July for the 2013 World Junior Championships.
The World Junior Championships are open to players aged 19 years and under, and include individual championships and team championships for junior men and women.
The events are held biennially, with boy’s team and girl’s individual events held together one year, and the boy’s individual and girl’s team event held together the following year.
This month, the World Junior Men’s Individual Championships and the World Junior Women’s Team Championships will be held together. Here’s a glimpse into the players who make up the US Team in Wroclaw.
JUNIOR BOYS
Edward Bond Chapin Columbia
Charlestown, Massachusetts
S/M: Tell us a little bit about yourself outside the game of squash?
EC: I am interested in writing, acting, biology, rapping, cooking, singing, American Indian history, and Chinese, to name a few. I thank my parents for their support in all my endeavors.
S/M: What is it about squash that drives you to play?
EC: The sensation of hitting that shot you can’t feel on the racquet.
S/M: What are your goals for the Championships?
EC: My goal is to play my game and, in doing so, win my matches.
S/M: What are you most looking forward to?
EC: I am most excited for the competition
because this is it: my final junior tournament.
Devin McLaughlin
Villanova, PA
S/M: What are you looking forward to most about the World Championships?
DM: I’m looking forward to spending time with the team because it’s great to be on a team with a bunch of guys that you’re so used to competing against.
S/M: How does it feel to be representing the USA in the World Championships?
DM: It’s extremely humbling to be representing the entire country and I feel a great amount of pride doing so.
S/M: What drives you when playing squash?
DM: I’m driven by the competition and rewarding feeling you get when you put in months of hard work and it finally pays off.
S/M: Has any past World Junior Championship experience affected your goals for this event?
DM: I played in Qatar last year and Ecuador a few years back, so I definitely plan to use the experience I’ve attained in those places to best help my game and results. Your body definitely tends to break down as the event wears on, so staying on top of match preparation and recovery will be key.
Dylan Murray
Bronxville, NY
S/M: What drives you most when playing squash?
DM: The competitive nature of the sport.
S/M: How does it feel to be representing the USA in the World Championships?
DM: Playing for your country is the ultimate honor, and an unbelievable experience.
S/M: What is something about you that other squash players may not know?
DM: I’ve played varsity basketball for the last three years.
S/M: What titles have you won?
DM: Five time national champion in the under 13, 15 and three times in the under 19 division.
S/M: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s World Championships?
DM: I love being around a great team from the US, and I have never been to Poland so I look forward to visiting a new place and experiencing the culture.
S/M: What other interests do you have other than squash?
DM: I love hanging out with my friends, attending concerts and social events.
Hayes Murphy
Greenwich, CT
S/M: What drives you when playing squash?
HM: I enjoy playing squash and similar to many, I really don’t like to lose.
S/M: How does it feel to be representing the USA in the World Championships?
HM: I know it is a huge honor to represent the US, and how tough and competitive my age group is.
S/M: What are you looking forward to most about the World Championships?
HM: I’m definitely looking forward to playing some of the best juniors in the world because it is such a rare opportunity. I’m also excited to visit Wroclaw as I am not sure what to expect.
S/M: Interests outside of squash?
HM: I also play soccer and lacrosse
Pierson Broadwater
Bronxville, NY
S/M: How does it feel to be representing the USA in the World Championships?
PB: I have always dreamed of playing squash on an international level. Playing with a team, on the world stage, with all of the other countries competing as well—it’s truly an honor. To be part of such an amazing experience is so exciting.
S/M: What are you looking forward to most?
PB: So many people from all over the globe will come together in one place, as their respective cultures, languages, customs, and style of play clash and combine on and off the court in a flurry of excitement and activity. Such a concept is not one that I have ever experienced, and that I look forward to the most.
S/M: Other than squash, what interests do you have?
PB: I love music and art. I recently finished a tour of Hawaii with my singing group, the director of which is actually a native Hawaiian. It was a fantastic experience I will not soon forget. I also have played the piano for almost 12 years. In addition, I love card and strategy games.
JUNIOR GIRLS
Olivia Fiechter
Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia
S/M: What are you most looking forward to at the World Championships?
OF: I always enjoy seeing players from other countries that I’ve gotten to know in the past summers. I look forward to getting over there and hanging out with the team as well since we all get along really well.
S/M: What other interests do you have, other than squash?
OF: I have played tennis for my school since 7th grade and also love to play golf when I have the time. I am going to Prague after Wroclaw with my parents and it will be my first time in Europe focusing on seeing the sights rather than playing squash. I have a Golden Retriever named Tibi who is adorable. When I’m not playing sports or at school, I’m hanging out with friends.
S/M: What is it about squash that drives you?
OF: Since I could walk I was always very competitive and loved sports. Squash never fails to challenge me physically and mentally. It is so much fun to play and is a game I will play the rest of my life.
Reeham Sedky
Sammamish, WA
S/M: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s World Championships?
RS: I love to travel and so being able to come to Poland for the first time is quite an adventure in its own right. I have experienced
different cultures and am looking forward to experiencing the Polish culture. I’m also looking forward to playing the top junior players in the world.
S/M: What else interests you aside from squash?
RS: I really enjoy both swimming and running long distances 1 and 2 miles. I also like to travel, read, write, and I am interested in photography. I live with my mom, dad and little sister who is also turning into a good player. My family have been great supporters through my young squash career.
S/M: How does it feel to be representing the USA at the World Championships?
RS: To represent the USA is like a dream come true. I used to watch runners, swimmers, tennis players, etc., competing for the US and wonder how cool it would be to compete at a similar level. It takes a lot of hard work but brings a lot of excitement and honor. It also pushes me to do my best as I am given this excellent opportunity.
Sabrina Sobhy
Sea Cliff, NY
S/M: What is it about squash that drives you?
SS: The competition and striving to become one of the top players in the world, and hopefully on the Olympic team.
S/M: How many titles have you won?
SS: I’ve won two national titles, both under-19 in the past two years.
S/M: What are you most looking forward to about this World Championships?
SS: I’m looking forward to spending time with the whole team and touring around a country I have never been to before.
S/M: What is your goal for this World Championships?
SS: WIN!
S/M: What other interests do you have aside from squash?
SS: I love architectural drawing and photography.
Katie Tutrone
Baltimore, MD
S/M: How does it feel to be representing the USA in the World Championships?
KT: It’s extremely exciting and makes me feel even more patriotic. It just seems like such a rare privilege, especially when most other sports, like lacrosse, don’t really have some world junior tournament for both boys and girls.
S/M: What are your goals for the Championships?
KT: To play my best and stay in the tournament as long as I can and not worry about who I am playing, no matter how good or well known they are.
S/M: What are your interests outside of squash?
KT: I’m a very random person. I do theater and dance—hip hop, burlesque and jazz. I also play badminton and tennis competitively.
S/M: What’s something that squash players probably don’t know about you?
KT: I’m very devoted to gospel choir and I love Italians and anything Italian.
Maria Elena Ubina
Stamford, CT
S/M: What are your goals for the Championships?
MU: Individually I hope to really just play my best squash and represent my country well. In the team event, I know we all want to make it into the top three and demonstrate consistency and depth in our performance.
S/M: What are you most looking forward to?
MU: I am anticipating not only some great, competitive matches on court, but also the opportunity to meet new people and explore a place I’ve never been to before. It’s a privilege to be able to travel to Wroclaw, and I look forward to learning more about it, and the culture of Poland.
S/M: What is your life like outside of squash?
MU: I have a big family, and I’m the oldest child. In my free time I enjoy photography, reading, and being with my family and friends. One of my favorite things to do in my free time is surf. I go to the beach with my family and we all surf together.
S/M: What most drives you when it comes to squash?
MU: I’m fascinated by the strategy involved in playing squash. It’s the mental elements of the game that keep it challenging and interesting.
Kayley Leonard
Harrison, NY
S/M: What is it that you most love about squash?
KL: The thrill of the competition and winning drives me to play squash. I enjoy the mental aspect along with the physical aspect of the game.
S/M: How does it feel to be representing the USA in the World Championships?
KL: It is an amazing feeling to be able to represent the USA in the World Championships this summer. I feel honored to be able to represent our country in a sport that I love. I have not played in previous World Championships.
S/M: What are your goals for the Championships?
KL: In the individual event, my goals are to try my hardest and to outperform my abilities. This will be a very challenging tournament to play in because I will be encountering many new players with unfamiliar styles.
S/M: What else do you like to do outside of squash?
KL: I enjoy playing tennis and lacrosse. I also love to spend time with family and friends. Ping pong is one of my favorite hobbies and is a great way for my siblings and I to bond in a friendly yet competitive environment.
