Millar and Epke Seeded to Retain Titles

A rare double could be on the cards at the New Zealand Junior Age Group Nationals in Napier this weekend.

Top seeds Zac Millar and Ellie Epke are seeded to retain the respective titles they won last year, a not often repeated feat where both the boys and girls titles are retained.

Millar is a stand out favourite in the under 19 boys draw, as the only A1 graded player in the draw.  However the title is anything but a foregone conclusion with second seed James Cooper a genuine threat to Millar's hopes, along with third and fourth seeds Scott Galloway and Sion Wiggin.

Likewise, Epke is the only A1 in the under 19 girls draw, but she will be well aware of the danger of underestimating New Zealand teammate Hayley Hughes who is the second seed.  Third seed Jacinta Matson will also fancy her chances of staging an upset as too will fourth seed Sophie O'Connell.

The New Zealand Junior Nationals get underway at the Hawkes Bay Squash Rackets Club on Friday.

Draws

Under 19 Boys

1. Zach Millar (WLG) vs Qualifier Ben Thornton (BOP) vs Lewis Hopkins (WAIK) Jackson Beresford (CANT) vs Michael Wilson (CANT) Chapman Kutia (EAST) vs Paul Blanchard (AKL) Ben Calvert (CENT) vs Qualifier Joseph Lyons (BOP) vs Chris Collins (WLG) Chas Craig (WLG) vs Oliver French (AKL) 4. Sion Wiggin (AKL) vs Qualifier 3. Scott Galloway (WLG) vs Qualifier Vincent Robson (NTHL) vs Daniel Ranger (BOP) Jason van der Walt (WLG) vs Qualifier Chris Willams (MIDL) vs Max McDonald (CANT) Luke Cooper (BOP) vs Ali Harris (OTA) Jordan le Comte (EAST) vs Brandon Keenan (CENT) Henry Pyc (AKL) vs Zac Thomas (AKL) 2. James Cooper (AKL) vs Qualifier

Under 19 Girls

1. Ellie Epke (AKL) vs Jamie Nichol (EAST) Taylor Ashton (WAIK) vs Emily Flett (SOUTH) Emily Nash (CENT) vs Kelsi Carrick (CANT) 4. Sophie O'Connell (WLG) vs Caitlin Foster (NTHL) 3. Jacinta Matson (NTHL) vs Amber Helm (WAIK) Jesse Ward Thomas (WLG) vs Devon Wright (AKL) Vanessa Larsen (WLG) vs Laura Rogers (OTA) 2. Hayley Hughes (EAST) vs Chanelle Salle (CENT)