CHARLOTTE KNAGGS, the Caribbean Under-17 squash champion, copped the Ryan Abraham Scholar-Athlete Squash Challenge Trophy, which was awarded by top national player Ryan Abraham.
This is the second year that Knaggs has received the trophy, as she was the inaugural title-holder in 2008. Mandela Patrick was given that distinction in 2009 while Jessica Scott got the award a year later.
Knaggs’ major success during the past 12 months was victory in the regional Under-17 event, defeating top-seeded Victoria Arjoon of Guyana to extend her winning streak in the Caribbean junior circuit to four years.
According to Abraham, “in 2008, I started my own Scholar-Athlete challenge trophy for the junior squash players in Trinidad and Tobago. I have been awarding the trophy to the most successful, balanced and diligent squash player each year, based on performances both academically and on the squash court.”
In 2008, Knaggs claimed the award after placing 39th overall in the 2007 SEA exams. Currently a Form Five student of St Joseph Convent, Port of Spain, she was able to maintain an overall A grade average during her Form Four year (2010-2011) while sustaining a competitive training and tournament schedule.
Due to a lack of local junior contests, Knaggs participated in a few Canadian events, placing fifth in the Under-15 category in the Ontario Dunlop Gold Number Two last November, and, a month later, she earned a quarter-final place in the Under-15 section in the Canadian Junior Open.
In 2011, and participating in the Under-17 age group, she was fifth in the Ontario Dunlop Gold Number Four (in March) and reached the quarter- finals of the Ontario Junior Open (in April).
Locally, she had a triumphant time on the courts, claiming the National Under-19 title in May and finishing as the runner-up to the veteran Rhea Khan at the National Senior Championships.
Source: www.newsday.co.tt