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Squash Stars From Chelsea Piers Connecticut Grab Gold At Pan Am Games

STAMFORD, Conn. – Natalie Grainger, squash director at Chelsea Piers Connecticut in Stamford, has added two more medals to her already impressive trophy case.

Natalie Grainger (L) and Amanda Sobhy pose after winning the women's doubles squash final at the Pan-AM games.

Natalie Grainger (L) and Amanda Sobhy pose after winning the women's doubles squash final at the Pan-AM games.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Team USA Squash L-R: Gilly Lane, Chris Gordon, Chris Hanson, Amanda Sobhy, Natalie Grainger, Olivia Blatchford, Todd Harrity, Paul Assaiante, and Rich Wade.

Team USA Squash L-R: Gilly Lane, Chris Gordon, Chris Hanson, Amanda Sobhy, Natalie Grainger, Olivia Blatchford, Todd Harrity, Paul Assaiante, and Rich Wade.

Photo Credit: Contributed/Paige Stewart

Representing the United States in the 2015 Pan American (Pan Am) Games in Toronto, Grainger won gold medals in women’s doubles and in the women’s team competition.

The women’s team competition gold medal was a moving experience for Grainger. Her teammates included former pupil and current U.S. No. 1-ranked squash player Amanda Sobhy and Olivia Blatchford, who she currently coaches and trains with at Chelsea Piers Connecticut.

Sobhy took home three golds, including team competition; doubles, which she partnered with Grainger; and a gold medal in singles. Sobhy’s teammate and former Harvard roommate Olivia Blatchford won gold in the team competition and finished with a silver medal in the women’s single competition.

The Pan Am Games, which are held every four years, is the most significant U.S. Olympic Committee-recognized international competition for Team USA squash. This was Grainger’s second appearance in the Games. She previously competed in the 2007 Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she won gold in the Women’s Singles and helped Team USA take home silver in the Women’s Team competition.

Grainger’s latest achievements add to her already remarkable competitive squash resume. During her 15-year professional career, Grainger was ranked No. 1 in the world and won 23 Tour Titles, including three U.S. Opens and the Qatar Classic. She is also a six-time U.S. National Champion.

“This was an incredible experience, and one I will cherish for a very long time. Walking out into a packed Rogers Stadium with Team USA at the Opening Ceremony was a highlight for me,'' Grainger said. "Winning two gold medals with my teammates, Olivia Blatchford and Amanda Sobhy, both of whom I have coached through their junior careers, was also so special.

"TO2015, volunteers, USOC staff — especially the medical staff that helped us so much — and U.S. Squash along with our coaches all came together to provide an amazing and successful event for me and my fellow teammates. I am very grateful and incredibly proud and happy to be wearing gold!” 

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