U.S. National Championships Hosted in Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia, March 16, 2008 – Julian Illingworth of Portland, Oregon, won the centennial playing of the $30,000 S.L. Green U.S. Squash Championship in Atlanta today earning his fourth consecutive U.S. title, defeating Chris Gordon of New York in three games, 11-3, 11-3, 11-3.

The U.S. Men’s Championship has been won four times consecutively only one other time in its 100-year history, when Victor Niederhoffer captured the title from 1972 to 1975. At 24 years of age, Illingworth has the highest world ranking (#38) ever for a U.S. born player. He is the youngest player ever to win four U.S. national titles, and the only player to win two titles while in college. He played through the S.L. Green championship draw losing only one game to Gilly Lane, defeating Merritt Lancaster, Jared Sandler, Beau River, and Gilly Lane.

Natalie Grainger of Washington D.C. won her second consecutive U.S. Women’s Championship, defeating Latasha Khan of Seattle, Washington in three games, 9-4, 9-2, 9-3. Grainger is the 2007 Pan American Games gold medalist. She reached the world #1 ranking in June 2003 and is currently ranked #4. She was runner-up at the World Open in 2007.

In the National Open, world #12 John White defeated world #43 and four time intercollegiate champion Yasser El Halaby in three games, 11-3, 11-7, 11-8.

The Miller Zell Championships included the 2008 U.S. Open Age Group Divisions, the U.S. Men’s S.L. Green Championship, the U.S. Women’s National Championship, and the National Open division. The tournament was held in Atlanta for the first time, at the Midtown Athletic Club at Windy Hill. Also for the first time, the Miller Zell Nationals featured stadium viewing of both championship play and age division finals on a five-wall glass court.

“We have been very pleased to host the centennial playing of our national championships together with this great age-group open competition,” said Bill Kujawa, Executive Vice President of Miller Zell. “With a unique five-wall glass court on hand and participants from across the U.S. and Canada, this was a true spectacle for players and non-players alike.”

Results

Mens 35+: Mick Joint of Detroit, Michigan defeated Jonathan Perry of Mountain View, California, 3-2.
Mens 40+: Andre Maur of Atlanta, Georgia defeated Bill Villari of Atlanta, Georgia, 3-0.
Mens 45+: Diniar Alikhan of Atlanta, Georgia over Dominic Hughes of Berwyn, Pa., withdrew injury.
Mens 50+: Ian Bell of Calgary, Alberta defeated Michael Bertin of Mississauga, Ontario, 3-2.
Mens 55+: Tom Rumpler of Kennesaw, Georgia defeated Fred Clements of Rosemont, Pa., 3-0
Mens 60+: Peter Morse of Houston, Texas defeated Bert Kornyei of Wareham, Mass., 3-1
Mens 65+: John Nelson of New York defeated Michael Gough of Atlanta, 3-0
Mens 70+: Robert MacDonald of New York defeated Ed Burlingame of North Salem, New York, 3-0.
Mens 75+: (1) Doug Allen of Richmond Hill, Ontario, (2) Donald Rung of State College, Pa.
Mens 80+: (1) Duncan Shaddick, Westmount, Canada, (2) John Bennett, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Womens 35+: (1) Victoria Chishimba of Bridgeport, Ct., (2) Lisa Teer of Atlanta, Ga.
Womens 40+: (1) Juliana Lillien of New York, (2) Amy Milanek of Malvern, Pa.
Womens 45+: (1) Jill Gaskel of Westport, Ct., (2) Jill Steck of Califon, New Jersey
Womens 50/55: Marjin Wall of Portland, Oregon defeated Jane Segall of Westport, Ct., 3-0.

Atlanta's Maur, Alikhan, Rumpler win National Age Group Titles:

Andre, Diniar and Tom came away from the Age Group Championships with national titles in the 40s, 45s, and 55 groupings. Bill Villari and Michael Gough were finalists in the 40s and 65s, respectively. Wow!

Photos