Since 2010, the fastest growing squash demographic in the province has been the OUA Jesters University League as both the number of teams and level of play has dramatically increased which were on full display at last weekend's Crossover event held at Queens University in Kingston. Behind the unrelenting support of the Jesters of Ontario and OUA commissioner Alex Carter, the league has doubled its participation in the past 5 years and now boasts men's and women's rosters littered with former top provincial juniors, international players studying in Ontario and most importantly brand new athletes to our sport.
Last weekend's crossover hosted by Eugene Zaremba and Lisa Coates at the 8 court facility in Kingston saw 18 men and women's teams battle to honor their school colours including for the first time ever, teams from Ottawa University.
The women's event was dominated by Queens University who fielded two full teams and has the depth and talent to compete with any NCAA university team. Led by former provincial junior champion Ali Richmond at #1, the Golden Gaels finished the weekend on their home courts going 27-1. Honorable mention goes to McMaster, whose top 3 of Olivia Waite, Sydney Leslie and Talia McDougall were joined by Egyptian Marina Botros at #4 and posted a 17-11 weekend record.
The men's division was extremely competitive with 5 teams finishing with winning records, highlighted by the deep McMaster and U of T squads who each closing the weekend at 28-7 followed by McGill at 24-11 with Queens and Waterloo each with 23-12. Top individual males included Mohanad Hekal of Ryerson and Ravi Seth of Waterloo who each went undefeated in the #1 position.
Teams resume play in January's sectional's before the OUA Jesters League finals held in early March.
