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The Canadien Champion, Friday, januarY 3, 2003 - 19 SPORT--S -Turner squashes Canadian opposietion0 aai But teen's bidfor pre-holiday championship sweepfalls a littie short at Yale University By STEVE L.BLANC The Champion For Alisha Turner, December is usually spent squashing competition on both sides of the border. However, a jump to under- 17 play this season tluew a proverbial monkey wrench into ber recent bid for a traditional pre-holiday championship sweep - which was nixed two weeks ago at New Haven's Yale University. Unable to match a gold-medal performance deliv- ered at the Canadian Junior Open, Milton's 15-year- old squash ace was denied a folow-up titie win, with a semnifmnal elimination ai the United States Junior Olympic Open. Her final four defeat to Quebec's Genevieve Lessard came in hearthreaking narrow fashion - with each individual Ioss in tbe 3-1 decision by just two points or Iess. It was anybody's game, it was so close," Alisha recalled of the 8-10, 7-9, (9-7), 9- 10 defeat. Wble flot making excuses for herseif, the local teen did point out that she was among Use youngest com- petitors at Uhe meet - and faced opponents with a con- siderable advantage in terna of both size and speed. Nevertbeless, Alisha reached Uhe semifinals in inipressive fashion wiUs three straigbt match victories -including a huge second-round comeback over American Leena Newfield, who seemned poised to tri- umph over scoring 9-1 and 9-2 victories. But Milton's representative shook over ber sub-par stars and battled back to take the next tbree gamnes (10-8, 9-3, 9-3) hefore outlasting Manitoba's Tara Chawla 3-1 (9-5, 9- 5, 6-9, 9- 1) in the quarterfinals. One weekend earlier in St. Catharines, Alisha turned back alI challengers at Use Canadian Junior Open for the foutU time in five years - with a near-perfect per- formance at Use White Qaka Racquet and Fitness Club. Folowing three convincing sweeps to reach Use championship finals, her attempt at an overail white- wash was dashed by Manitoba's Ashley Malenchuck - who posted a 9-6 decision in gaine two to knot Use match at one win apiece. But Alisha fortified ber efforts to win Use next set 10- 9 and Usen cemented ber tiUle drive by Urashing ber westemn rival 9- 1. Said Use national champ, "It was just my focus (that won it for me). I was realy mentalîy prepared." The Canadian tilUe and strong showing down souUs are another step toward the local teen's ongoing quest to secure an aUletic scholarsbip to Use NCAA. 'ThlIvy League would be nice," sbe added. Stars hit town for Chamber's first Sports Celebrity Diner Mâimhas wlIl ha"e a gmSIo do a Mmug- VON S utmoi&Itat dtem aéoewof<Canmes SpwU léiiitty Dham Itiapmtaevent- aehoàldafor Jay 21 aM Gra* Rida. OlfClé - wdl àhas*, a imsa elin-up, mindng kcynot qsa Bobby GoldeoJet'HuIL Follow Hiblof PaturmaNsel JDome, foiner - eLa& platBorje Sâhn&gAMS s twa - nmn back taed S" - h ilm 'P"d' GmS. Hall of Faner Itneu -racn ver Re oisW. aFd GetulineHeaiey o m "Cxaas pu dmSda RTS APFORDAULE N&W & USD SPORTS SNOWBOARDS 2001 MODELS JUNIOR SNOWBOARD WUTH BINDINOS $29- ObyqWie - Mm fflmund o« *-Uw CaUL "YI' MReiey «Iad MMÉdie IS4MN' aid Saul hkNWt, cxcotifdkeesr ùM à liban 'fleai8luwilin"lud.6p.«Lmq apffi.on, folloWçd by adimo- W" tsloiud niiUe PrOoee<bfuom lI«M wdon wf ow gr Om»éer t> expud iits U*Wdolauâ, f« t1h ai hig $Ch" Md badMoeevunuAdiem 's (905) 878-0581. fLClavke"s GoLf -M .À. 1 Il-- C ANADIAN CHAMPION j.\Nu.>ýRý 2003 -à