Canada’s Lima 2019 squash team announced
OTTAWA (May 14, 2019) – Squash Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Canada’s Squash team nominated to compete at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.The squash team qualified for Team Canada based on their recent performance at the 2019 Canadian Squash Championships as well as overall World Rankings. The team will compete in singles, men’s, women’s, mixed doubles and team events.
Samantha Cornett, 28, is no stranger to representing Canada as she will participate in her third Pan American Games (2015, 2011). Cornett, who currently sits No. 34 in the World Rankings just recently captured her fourth Canadian Women’s Open Championship. The Ottawa, ON native has had an impressive six months on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour capturing multiple titles including the 2019 Slaight Music Granite Open in March in Toronto. She has also participated in two Commonwealth Games (2010, 2014).
“The Pan Am Games are an honour to be a part of and the atmosphere is electric,” said Cornett. “I look forward to representing myself and our country to the best of my abilities. We will have a very strong team heading to Lima, and we’ll be looking to bring home medals!”
Hollie Naughton, 24, will also represent Canada for a second straight Pan American Games after competing at Toronto 2015. Naughton, a resident of Mississauga, ON is Canada’s top ranked woman in the world at number 30 and finished runner-up at the Canadian Women’s Open Championship. She is a two-time Canadian Champion (2016, 2017) and has posted impressive wins on the PSA Tour in the last year as she continues to climb the World Rankings.
Danielle Letourneau, 26, the only newcomer to the women’s squad will be attending her first Pan American Games and will look to make a strong debut. She recently finished in third place at the 2019 Canadian Women’s Open Championship after winning the tournament last year. Letourneau, who hails from Calgary, AB, has been turning heads on the PSA Tour and currently sits No. 38 in the World Rankings.
Nicholas Sachvie, 27, will also make his debut at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games as he leads an experienced men’s team into battle. The St. Catharines, ON native is coming off a successful Canadian Men’s Open Championship where he captured his second title in three years. Sachvie currently competes on the PSA Tour and recently won the 2019 Bermuda Open in March.
“Pan Am Games was a driving force that was embedded in my mind for the past couple of months. I’m extremely happy with my performance taking the Canadian title and being selected for the Pan Am Games,” said Sachvie. “I am looking forward to representing Canada and hoping to bring back medals.”
Shawn Delierre, 36, considered to be the veteran of the entire Canadian squash team will participate in his fourth Pan American Games (2015, 2011, 2007). The Montreal, QC native recently finished runner-up at the Canadian Men’s Open Championship and sits at No. 81 in the World Rankings. Some of his career accomplishments include being a two-time Canadian Men’s Open Champion, participating in three Commonwealth Games (2006, 2010, 2014) and capturing multiple PSA Tour titles.
Andrew Schnell, 27, rounds out the men’s team in his third Pan American Games (2015, 2011). The Calgary, AB native finished in third place at the recent Canadian Men’s Open Championship. The 2016 Canadian Men’s Open Champion also competes on the PSA Tour and has captured multiple titles.
“We have high expectations for our team at the Pan Am Games. With some solid preparation at the Club Sportif MAA in Montreal on the doubles court before heading to Lima, with a successful campaign last time around in Toronto and with our players scoring some great wins on the PSA Tour, we’re confident and positive about our chances,” said head coach Martin Heath.
Canada has been very successful since squash debuted at the Mar del Plata 1995 Pan American Games winning a combined 36 medals. At the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, Canada won a total of six medals that included a gold medal by our Men’s Team, which included Shawn Delierre and Andrew Schnell and a silver medal by our Women’s Team, which included Samantha Cornett and Hollie Naughton.
Squash will take place July 25 to 31 at the Polideportivo 2 venue.
Lima 2019, which will run from July 26 to August 11, will bring together approximately 6,700 athletes from 41 nations of the Americas and feature 62 disciplines in 39 sports. It will be the largest sporting event ever held in Peru.
The athletes and coaches nominated are:
1. Samantha Cornett (Ottawa, ON)
2. Hollie Naughton (Mississauga, ON)
3. Danielle Letourneau (Calgary, AB)
3. Nick Sachvie (St. Catharines, ON)
4. Shawn DeLierre (Montreal, QC)
5. Andrew Schnell (Calgary, AB)
1. Martin Heath (Oban, Scotland) – Head Coach
2. Graeme Williams (Windsor, ON) – Assistant Coach
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the COC’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations in late June 2019.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Geoffrey Johnson, Programs Manager
Squash Canada
T: 613-228-7724
E: geoff.johnson@squash.ca
Josh Su, Specialist, Public Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 647-464-4060
E: jsu@olympic.ca