O'Connor targets junior world squash champs
Next year's junior world championships loom as a major target for top Southland squash player Anna O’Connor.
The 17-year-old has been selected in a 12-strong national girls squad, from which six players will ultimately travel to the Gold Coast in July for the pinnacle event.
“It’s my last year in the juniors. In the offseason we have quite a few training camps in Auckland, then when the season starts back up we have selection tournaments and we are getting onto the professional circuit, so that will be good experience,” Anna said.
“Hopefully, all going well, I’ll get selected into the team. ”
The past season has been huge for O’Connor, who has given her passport a workout in a search for more experience.
She was 14th in the under 19 division at the Oceania Junior Open in Auckland, and achieved the same placing at the Malaysia PBA Junior Open.
She was 13th in the under 17 girls event at the Canadian Junior Open and 34th, making the Plate 2 Final, at the under 17 girls event at the United States Junior Open.
“It’s been pretty cool. I love going overseas and competing internationally, it is a real eye-opener in terms of the competition. You have to get that international experience to improve.”
A member of the Squash New Zealand Elite Junior Girls squad, Anna is ranked seventh in New Zealand for under 19 girls, won the National Champion of Champions B grade title, was 12th in the Open draw at the New Zealand Junior Open and placed 17th in the Plate final at the Auckland Open and PSA Satellite event.
The Makarewa club member is also the Southland junior champion, a member of the Southland senior women’s team which won the South Island Quads tournament, is the number one ranked under 19 girl in the province and second ranked overall.
O’Connor placed seventh at the junior nationals in Christchurch earlier this month, the first time she had bettered her seeding of eighth.
With no Southland team to play for, she linked up with South Canterbury team Midlands, which finished fifth in the inter-districts tournament.
Anna, who trains under Wellington-based coach Nick Mita, will spend the summer focusing on technique and fitness.
A foundation year member of Academy Southland, Anna makes good use of the Mike Piper Training Centre and resident strength and conditioning coach Tyson Huia.
Another aspect Anna has been working on with the Academy’s mental skills coach Jason McKenzie has been retaining her edge when things aren’t going well on court.
“I used to get quite grumpy and wound up at myself on court. I’m not perfect, but I’m a lot better. I’ve had quite a few sessions with Jason to help me focus on the present and things like that. If you are in the fifth set and it’s really tight, that can make the difference.”
