For a second straight year, a group of determined Yukoners helped bring the Challenge Cup back to familiar territory.

Six Whitehorse squash players made the trip to Yellowknife this past weekend to participate in the 2009 Year-End Tournament.

This year's tournament attracted players from Edmonton, Calgary, Inuvik and Iqaluit, however the Challenge Cup is a competition just between the two territory capitals.

Better Bodies squash pro Marie Desmarais said it has been going on for about nine years and historically Whitehorse has done very well.

"We pummeled them yet again," she joked. "It's a fun little challenge and we usually have a lot of fun. A lot of bragging goes along with it."

Whitehorse has only lost the Challenge Cup on a few occasions, Desmarais said.

Among the highlights for Desmarais was the play of Kelly Panchyshyn, who went 4-0 in the junior girl's division. The 16-year-old finished in first place, accumulating the maximum 12 points.

"She's just committed to the sport," Desmarais said. "She's improved tremendously this year just because of her work ethic and she's wonderful to coach. I have nothing but good things to say about Kelly."

This has been a great year for Panchyshyn, who was on the winning teams in both the Thursday night adult league and Sunday junior league.

She also got her level one coaching status earlier in the year and will be helping Desmarais out at a couple of upcoming squash camps.

Panchyshyn currently has her eye on the 2011 Canada Winter Games and said this was an encouraging season for her.

"It's not so much winning, but just improving is what's encouraging," she said. "Games used to make me nervous and now they don't so much."

She said she was happy with how the season went, adding playing in the two leagues was a big help.

"Yellowknife was definitely a good highlight to wrap up the year with," Panchyshyn said. "It's a fun tournament to go to because everybody knows each other and you are playing really good games.

"I think it has just been an overall good year."

Other Yukoners to make the finals in Yellowknife included Alexis Hougen, who placed third overall in the junior girl's category, while Coleman Newman placed second in the junior A division.

On the women's side, Whitehorse's Lori Muir played her way to a second place result in the A division and Zoe Walker won her consolation match in the B category.

Assistant squash coach Adam Sippel accompanied the group to the three-day Yellowknife tournament.

In other squash news, there are still spots available for a couple of upcoming squash clinics.

The first clinic will begin on June 15, while the second begins on June 22.

Interested individuals can call Desmarais at 633-5245 ext. 4.