TORONTO (August 30, 2023) – Squash Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Canada’s squash team nominated to compete at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.
Team Canada’s squash team for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games is:
Athletes
David Baillargeon (Montreal, Que.)
Nicole Bunyan (Victoria, B.C.)
George Crowne (Oakville, Ont.)
Danielle Letourneau (Calgary, Alta.)
Hollie Naughton (Mississauga, Ont.)
Graeme Schnell (Calgary, Alta.)
The six athletes qualified for Team Canada based on their Professional Squash Association (PSA) Rankings, their recent head-to-head results, and/or their performances at previous Pan American Games and Championships.
On the women’s side, history-maker and four-time national champion Hollie Naughton leads the team at number 19 in the world on the PSA rankings. These will be the third Pan American Games for Naughton, who was part of the silver medal team at Toronto 2015 and was Canada’s first double medallist at Lima 2019 where she won bronze in both women’s singles and mixed doubles. In 2022, she made history as the first Canadian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in squash. She claimed silver in women’s singles in Birmingham where she also served as Canada’s Closing Ceremony flag bearer.
Naughton is joined by former world number 18 and two-time national champion Danielle Letourneau, who captured silver in women’s doubles in her Pan American Games debut at Lima 2019. Rounding out the women’s team is world number 45 Nicole Bunyan, who is competing at her first Pan Am Games and her second major multi-sport Games after representing Canada at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
On the men’s side, Canada’s top-ranked David Baillargeon heads to the Pan Am Games for the first time, but is no stranger to international competition. The three-time national champion has competed in the Pan American Junior and Senior Squash Championships, the 2022 World Games and the 2022 Commonwealth Games. He also has six PSA Tour titles to his name.
“I’m incredibly happy and proud to be representing Canada at the Pan Am Games in Santiago,” said Baillargeon. “It will be my first Pan Am Games but I’ve followed closely the last two editions and I saw how a great performance there could potentially be a career-defining moment. Representing Canada is always an honour and I’m ready to leave it all on the court for my country. I can’t wait to get started!”
Joining Baillargeon is Graeme Schnell, who won gold with the men’s team and silver in men’s doubles at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, as well as George Crowne, who will make his Pan Am Games debut at Santiago 2023.
Manager of Athlete Development Samantha Cornett is well aware of the potential of Canada’s squash team.
“Our team is deep with experience and knows how to medal,” said Cornett. “Canada’s squash athletes will be looking to bring home golds in Santiago for Canada. Our top athletes will be well into the 2023-24 season and ready for the Games. On behalf of Squash Canada, we are thrilled to be supporting this talented group and look forward to seeing what they can accomplish together.”
The Canadian squash team qualified for the Santiago Games at the 2023 Pan American Championships in Cartagena, Colombia in June. At those championships, Canada took home gold in the women’s singles event, gold in the mixed doubles event, and silver in the women’s team event. The squash team will be on the hunt to add to the medal count for Team Canada in Santiago.
“Squash Canada is excited and looking forward to watching our team in action during the upcoming 2023 Pan American Games being held in Santiago, Chile,” added Sandra Thompson, President of Squash Canada. “We have a history of doing well in these Games and are confident we will have another great showing. It is always a great pleasure and honour for our athletes to represent us internationally, especially at such a large multisport event.”
Squash will take place October 31 to November 5 (Days 11 to 16) at the Estadio Nacional.
“Racquets ready, hearts determined – Team Canada’s squash team is a powerhouse mix of experienced medallists and promising rookies,” said Christine Girard, Team Canada’s Santiago 2023 Chef de Mission. “I’m honoured to lead this exceptional team and I have no doubt that their performance will inspire us all and make Canada proud. And don’t be surprised if they squash the competition!”
Team Canada’s squash team alternates and coaches for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games are:
Alternate Athletes
Liam Marrison (Markham, Ont.) – Alternate Athlete (Non-Travelling)
Iman Shaheen (Ottawa, Ont.) – Alternate Athlete (Non-Travelling)
Brett Schille (Calgary, Alta.) – Alternate Athlete (Non-Travelling)
Nikole Todd (Regina, Sask.) – Alternate Athlete (Non-Travelling)
Coaches
Yvon Provencal (Montreal, Que.) – Coach
Graeme Williams (Windsor, Ont.) – Coach
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organisations.
The latest Team Canada Santiago 2023 roster can be found here.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Emily Hall, Programs and Communications Coordinator
Squash Canada
C: 289-556-6660
Tara MacBournie, Team Canada Santiago 2023 Sport Communications Lead
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 647-522-8328