King's veteran Squash player ecstatic over OUA win

Lisa Michienzi, Intern, King’s Communications & Media Relations

King’s business (Financial Economics) student-athlete James Van Staveren is honoured to be part of an amazing record set at the end of January by the Western men’s squash team. They continued their storied winning streak January 31st in Waterloo, winning their 32nd consecutive Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championship with 34 points over tournament hosts the Waterloo Warriors.

Van Staveren claimed silver in the tournament, helping Western take the record setting first place at the tournament with 34 points. The silver medal went to Waterloo with 25 points, while McMaster took third with 21 points in the tournament.

Van Staveren, who is in his fourth season with the Mustang’s men’s squash team, has had a very successful intercollegiate squash career. The veteran, from Etobicoke Ontario, believes the win is a great way to motivate the team through the final push to the end of the season.

“We’ve had a great season so far and I’m happy to finish my undergrad with the record intact. The team has it’s eyes set on some success in the U.S. College Squash circuit in the next few weeks so we will use the OUA’s as a motivator for that…and to look forward to many more OUA titles for the Mustang’s in the years to come.”

The men’s team claimed gold in four of their six flights with Krishan Rana, Matt Sharpe, Nick Guest and Cory Shannon winning flights 6 through 3 respectively.

After graduating this spring, Van Staveren plans to travel and play professional squash in South America, giving him time to pursue creative writing and the opportunity to learn to speak Spanish.

For the full tournament recap: http://www.westernmustangs.ca/news/2015/1/30/squash_0130152936.aspx