Jon Kuiperij Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com Sports N O F S P R I N G 35 | Friday, April 26, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" MEMBERSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE! 2220 Speers Road, Oakville www.AdvanceHockeyAcademy.com S I G Canadian junior squash champ Naughton striving for invincibility the world stage, Naughton did experience one on the national level in Richmond, B.C., on the Oakville Beaver Staff weekend. Four times she had been the top seed at a naWhen it comes to setting goals, Hollie Naugh- tional championship. Four times she reached the final. Four times she had settle for runnerton aims high. "I want to be as good as I can be. You see up status. Most recently at the Dunlop Canadian JuNicol David," she says of the seven-time world squash champion. "I want that feeling, that in- nior Open in December, Naughton looked as vincibility that you can't be beat. It would be though she might end that streak. After falling behind two games in the great to have that feeling." final, she battled back to win Naughton is well aware that the next two 14-12, 11-8. Howwill not come overnight. But the ever, Mexico's Karla Eva Urru18-year-old is more than willing tia Gomez would manage to reto put in the work required to verse the momentum and pull get there. Last year, after graduout the victory. ating from Oakville Trafalgar Naughton began to wonder if High School, she turned pro and the elusive national title would took a job at Mississauga's Onever come. Then on Sunday, she tario Racquet Club, her home found herself back in the final club in more ways than one. at the Canadian Junior Squash "I pretty much live here," she Championships. Naughton had says. cruised through the quarterSince last March, Naughton finals and semifinals, dropping has climbed from 198th in the only one game along the way. world rankings to 90th. And reFacing Quebec's Chloe Chemcent results would suggest that Hollie Naughton tob in the final, she wasn't about trend is not about to reverse any to let her last chance at a junior time soon. Last month at the Mayfair Open, a Women's Squash Association championship slip away. Naughton scored an 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 victory event in Markham, Naughton took on Egypt's Heba El Torky, currently ranked 32nd in the to claim the Canadian championship. "It was kind of sad that it was the last one," world. Though El Torky took the openinground match, Naughton pushed her to five Naughton said. "I had been waiting for a few games. She actually led 2-1 before El Torky, years, so it was definitely good to get that title. who went on to reach the final, rallied for 11-8 To finish my junior career and say I was a Canadian champion was definitely special in a lot and 11-6 wins. "It's good to have those matches to know all of ways." Naughton said as tough it was coming so the hard work isn't going to waste," Naughton said. "It was definitely a good match. I just close all those times, the experience she gained in those previous finals paid off, especially have to find that breakthrough." While that breakthrough still awaits her on see Squash on p.38 by Herb Garbutt Oakville Trafalgar Red Devils player Veronica Johnson (13) attempts to get past Nelson Lords opponent Marie-Pier Schleichkorn during Halton high school senior girls' soccer action Tuesday in Burlington. Oakville Trafalgar built a 3-0 lead before halftime but Nelson rallied with three goals of its own in the second half as the game ended in a 3-3 tie. It was the season-opening match for both teams.| photo by Graham Paine -- Oakville Beaver -- @Halton_Photog YOUR SEAT IS ALMOST READY | OPENING APRIL 29 AT 10AM R0012040794 ®Trademarks of Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. ©2013 Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. BWW2013-877 TM TM * *FIRST 100 GUESTS RECEIVE A COUPON BOOK. SNACK PORTION OF WINGS PER WEEK FOR 52 WEEKS.