National women’s top seed Meagan Best continues to represent Barbados well on the world stage having won the Mid-Atlantic Squash Conference (MASC) Rookie of the Year and the First Team All-American Awards.
Currently in her sophomore year at the University of Virginia (UVA), the 19-year-old Best commands the number one position at that institution with a commendable 11 wins and six losses to her name so far.
A former three-time Caribbean senior women’s champion, Best said that receiving the MASC Rookie of the Year Award and also her First All-American title at the Collegiate level for her is a great achievement. Before that, she held two All-American titles while competing in high school.
“Given Covid, we weren’t able to have any games last year but since this was my first time taking the court even though I am now in my second year, it was great to receive the Rookie of the Year. I am happy with how this season went and I feel honoured.
“It is my second year playing number one for UVA against all the best players from every other school. Most of these girls are already number one on the professional circuit or they are looking to play professionally when they leave college. So, it was nice having the experience playing against them and getting some wins over them as well,” Best explained.
No stranger to representing the Barbados Squash Association, Best has won numerous titles so far in her career whether at the local, regional or international level.
These latest achievements have further inspired Best to keep going. “I have put in a lot of work throughout this summer to improve my game and try to take it to the next level. So, just to see that hard work and sacrifice pay-off is a huge relief,” she said.
She added: “It is an honour to play for my country and represent up here. Once you see the results coming in because of the hard work you are putting in you will reap results one way or the other. So, it is definitely a huge motivating factor for future tournaments coming up.”
Best has her eyes set on representing Barbados at her second Commonwealth Games this year in Birmingham and is confident of doing well.
In 2018 Best finished 17th overall at the Commonwealth Games but with her growth and development over the last two years, she wants to do much better.
“For me, it is just a matter of putting in the work which I have been doing with my trainers and my coaches. I think I will be able to put on a good showing at the event,” Best added.