Five Squamish squash players recently competed in the Canadian National Squash Championships and three of them came home as national champions in their respective categories.
Don Gunn was the winner of the Men's 70-plus division while his wife Mona took top honours in the Women's 65-plus category.
Jeff Kraemer, who has only been playing the sport for four years, won the Men's C division - a category open to anyone of any age.
"I thought I might have a good chance at winning the C division," said Kraemer, 34. "I wasn't really nervous and was pretty strong mentally. I was pretty pumped - it was awesome."
Kraemer went undefeated in five matches over four days to take the title.
"I think it's a tremendous accomplishment for him," said Don Gunn. "He hasn't even been playing for very long and he's already an excellent player."
For Gunn, 73, the win was his third national championship. He also won in 1996 and again in 1998 in Calgary.
"Everybody I play with is a lot younger than I am so they keep me on top of my game," said Gunn of his fellow Squamish Squash Club players. "I'd like to thank those guys personally for helping me out - Owen Carney, Jeff McKenzie, Laurie Vanzella and Cliff Kryzanowski - they all helped me win."
Don and Mona have been playing Squash for more than 20 years, and play at least three times a week on the hardwood courts at the Squamish Golf and Country Club, where all of the players hone their skills. Robin Drygas and Steve Jacobs also competed at the tournament.
"It keeps me going," said Mona. "I've always been active in sports my whole life and squash is something I really enjoy."
"I just love the game - just love it," said Don.
The pair keep themselves in shape by hiking from their home in the Garibaldi Highlands down to the club to play squash and back again.
For Mrs. Gunn, the win at Hollyburn Country Club was her first Canadian title, but she's no stranger to the podium. In 2001, she played in the World Squash Championship in Melbourne, Australia and won the Women's 65-plus category.
At 68, Mona was the oldest female competitor at this year's championships, and entered the tournament just for fun. Because she was the only woman over 65, she had to play against other ladies in the 55-plus category.
"I just went in it for fun," she said.
