Canada Tops Podium at 2024 Pan American Squash Championships

With the conclusion of the 2024 Pan American Squash Championships in Lima, Peru, the Canadian team has walked away with ten medals - seven from main events, and three from the companion events. From August 4 to 10 the Canadian team fought hard, competing in the men’s and women’s individual companion events, as well as the men’s and women’s individual main draws, the mixed, men’s, and women’s doubles, and the men’s and women’s team events.  

Medal Results 

·     Nicole Bunyan - Gold, Women’s Individual 

·     Danielle Ray - Silver, Women’s Individual 

·     David Baillargeon - Bronze, Men’s Individual 

·     Salah Eltorgman - Bronze, Men’s Individual 

·     David Baillargeon and Nikole Todd - Silver, Mixed Doubles 

·     Nicole Bunyan, Hollie Naughton, Danielle Ray, and Nikole Todd - Gold, Women’s Team 

·     David Baillargeon, Dylan Deverill, Salah Eltorgman, Connor Turk - Bronze, Men’s Team 

·     Nikole Todd - Gold, Women’s Individual (Companion) 

·     Connor Turk - Bronze, Men’s Individual (Companion) 

·     Dylan Deverill - Bronze, Men’s Individual (Companion)  

History was made as Canada’s Nicole Bunyan (BC) and Danielle Ray (AB) battled it out for gold in the women’s individual event. The Canadian women were defending Canada’s title (won by Hollie Naughton in 2023), a feat not accomplished since Laura Wagner won in 1998 and Margo Green followed in 2000. It was also the first time in FPS history that two Canadians would compete for the individual Championship title. In a tight match, Bunyan prevailed with a 3-2 win over Ray (11-6, 6-11, 9-11, 11-3, 12-10). 

Nicole Bunyan had this to say about her experience at the 2024 Pan American Championships: “It posed a challenge to have a competition in the middle of the pre-season, but it also served as a fantastic opportunity to put your improvements to the test and see what still needs work in the next couple weeks before tournaments start up. I felt that I wasn’t very sharp, and still need to make some improvements to my movement and technique, but I was very pleased with how well I competed throughout the event.”  

Bunyan continued, “I came through three five-game matches back-to-back in the individual event, which in the past has posed a great challenge for me. Now it’s time to rest a little and then train back up for the beginning of the season!” 

Team Canada enjoyed picking up an additional eight medals, including three from new companion events. These events included both a men’s and women’s individual event, and saw Nikole Todd (SK), Connor Turk (AB), and Dylan Deverill (ON) podium in the inaugural competition.  

Of the nine events, Canadian athletes podiumed in all but two events. This exceptional record put Canada in the number one spot for total medals earned (10), quickly followed by Colombia (9) and Argentina (7).  

Squash Canada would like to extend their congratulations to the athletes and coaches on their tremendous effort and achievements at the 2024 Pan American Squash Championships. In addition to the medal count, a special congratulations to Nikole Todd, who won the Women’s Fair Play Award. On the award, Peru Squash said: “Congratulations to Nikole Todd from Canada for being awarded the Fairy Play Award. Her commitment to fair play, respect for opponents, and exemplary conduct have stood out in this competition. A true ambassador of squash for the Americas!” 

“On behalf of Squash Canada, thank you to our athletes who worked very hard for seven tough days of packed competition and brought home so many medals,” says Samantha Cornett, Manager of Athlete Development. “We hope that this opportunity has inspired the newer Team Canada athletes and was a good check-in for those more experienced at FPS Pan American events. We look forward to seeing this competitive experience launch you into your best season yet, especially now that squash is in this Olympic 4-year cycle!” 

Women

Nicole Bunyan, British Columbia 

Hollie Naughton, Ontario 

Danielle Ray, Alberta 

Nikole Todd, Saskatchewan

Men 

David Baillargeon, Quebec 

Dylan Deverill, Ontario 

Salah Eltorgman, Ontario 

Connor Turk, Alberta 

Coaches: Gene Turk, Manitoba and Chris Hanebury, Ontario 

For full results of the team events, click here. For full results of the individual and doubles events, click here. 

To learn more about the Pan American Squash Championships or the Federación Panamericana de Squash, please visit the website here. 

Please click here for photos.