Terrace squash players slammed into first and second place at the recent Rusty Elbow Squash Tournament in Smithers.
Steve Hawyes seized first place in the A category, beating his daughter Siobhan in what he calls a “fierce and hotly contested” final match.
Squash matches are best of five sets, each played to 15 points, and Steve was able to claim three of four sets played.
Siobhan claimed second place in the A category, which included 16 players from across the northwest.
Jill Pimlott and Sean Davidson from Terrace also competed in the tournament Nov. 18-20, which drew a total of 29 players competing in A, B, and ladies categories.
Seeking stronger competition, Siobhan competed with the men.
Steve said it was a “fun and exhilarating tournament,” with great camaraderie and friendship building.
“It was so much fun,” he said. “Everybody had a good workout.. and there was great camaraderie.”
Though squash is a relatively new and small sport in Terrace, an eager group of players is looking to encourage the sport here.
There will be free top-level coaching offered for the next three Mondays for anyone interested in squash, from beginners to advanced competitors.
Steve and Siobhan Hawyes and their family immigrated to Terrace early this year from South Africa, where they had been competing among the best players in the country, and owned a squash centre there. (See more of their story here).
The coaching will be 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. for three Mondays (Nov. 28, Dec. 5, and Dec. 12) at the squash courts at the Northwest Community College.