Girl squashes men twice her age
EMMARENTIA – Megan Shannon (15) beats three men in a week.
Andrew Jensen (29) is the latest victim to suffer a beating by rising squash star, and girl, Megan Shannon (15).
Shannon whitewashed him 3–0 in a social league game at Chamber Exiles Squash Club, in Emmarentia, on 25 October. Jensen did not feel bad about it though, as he was the third man to lose to her that week.
Shannon also regularly beats women older than her in the Gauteng Women’s Second League, and currently plays in the Gauteng U16 girls team.
“She made me run, I really need to work on my fitness,” Jensen panted, after losing 15–5, 15–7, 15–9 to Shannon in the fourth week of the Chambers Summer League. The league runs until mid-December, and is themed ‘birds of prey’.
Members play in teams of six according to birds of prey and play singles and doubles matches for points for their teams. Shannon is in the Kingfisher team, and Jensen is in the Falcons team.
“The social league is very relaxing and less competitive,” Shannon said. “It is a chance to enjoy the game without stress.”
Jensen said he liked the casual nature of the matches, that players did not take losses too hard, and the loser traditionally bought the winner a drink at the club bar.
Shannon’s father, John, is the chairperson of the club. “The social league is all about getting people playing and having fun – to build the club spirit,” he said. He added that in terms of competitive tournaments, the club had the most active members in the Gauteng Squash League, fielding 17 teams across the men’s and women’s contingents. The club also plays in the Masters League and hosts a handicap tournament and Club Championships, among other smaller events throughout the year.
Details: Chamber Exiles Squash Club, 079 528 4441.
