Cassie Prentice

Biography

Date of Birth

2001

Birthplace

Macrorie, Saskatchewan

Residence

Delisle, Saskatchewan

Home Club

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Saskatchewan

Coach

Tim Landeryou

Equipment

Cassie Prentice represented Canada at her first international tournament in 2022, competing for Canada at the Pan Am Championships. She won her first elite Canadian title in 2021, when she and partner Christine Keay won the Women’s Open Doubles event at the National Championships. As a junior athlete Prentice has represented Canada at five junior world championships and in 2018 won a bronze medal in Girl’s U16 doubles with partner Juliette Parent. Prentice has been on the podium many times at the junior national level, winning her age division in singles on seven occasions since she was 10 years old. She also has won 3 girl’s doubles titles at the junior national level.

Q&A

Start in Racquetball: I began playing Racquetball because of my brother Tanner. I have always looked up to him, so when he began playing Racquetball at our uncle’s club, I decided I would follow in his footsteps. While I didn’t start lessons at the exact time as him, I was always in the court hitting the ball around by myself or playing with the other kids. I was about 5 years old when I actually started lessons.

Reason for playing: I play because I love the competitive, yet, family oriented environment that comes along with Racquetball. I have made many friends and received many opportunities to travel the world while representing my country. Many people in the racquetball community have become like family to me and I believe that is one great aspect of enjoying sports.

Training habits: I have Racquetball practice 2-3x per week with the other Saskatoon athletes and our coaches. On my days off, I hit balls by myself in between university classes and homework. I also do strength and conditioning training 2-3x per week.

Best Racquetball moment: My best racquetball moment would have to be winning my first Junior National title in 2010. I participated in my first ever Junior Nationals the year before that in Regina, where I lost every single one of my games. These results helped me push myself to train harder the next year, as I wanted to show I could compete with the other girls. The feeling of excitement I got from that first National title has pushed me to continue wanting to experience more of these great achievements.

Non Racquetball talents: I like to play many other sports on top of racquetball, like badminton, tennis, baseball, golf, and many more. I also have a love for singing and took lessons all throughout my childhood. I love school and am considered to be quite the “book nerd” by my friends. I have been learning some pretty yummy recipes and cooking a lot of different foods!

What is something people might not know about you or find surprising? I am working towards my coaching certifications to hopefully help coach the Junior National team at Junior Worlds.

When you are not playing racquetball, you are probably? When not playing racquetball, I am usually studying for my classes, volunteering for the Physical Activity for Active Living program at the U of S, working at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm (Zoo), or hanging out with my friends.

What advice to you have for athletes who want to play at your level? I believe as long as you are willing to push yourself and work hard for the things you want in life that you will be able to achieve them. I also believe no matter the outcome or results, you should always be having fun, as everything is a learning process.

Who has been important in your development as an athlete? My family and coaches have been a very important part of my development as a player because they have pushed me to keep trying even at my lowest points/slumps in the game. I wouldn’t have had access to racquetball courts if it wasn’t for my parents driving an hour and a half each way about 2-3x per week for lessons. My brother, Tanner, has always been there to push me through tough times and he has been an amazing inspiration to me. My teammates in Saskatoon have helped me become the player I am by giving me pointers on the court and by making sure I never gave up. Overall, there are many people in my life who have been important in my racquetball journey so far and I can’t thank any of them enough.

Highlights

Bronze
2022 National Championships
Women's Open Doubles
Gold
2021 National Championships
Women's Open Doubles
4th
2022 National Championships
Women's Open Doubles
4th
2022 National Championships
Women's Open Doubles
4th
2022 National Championships
Women's Open Doubles
Silver
2018 Junior World Championships
Girl's U16 Doubles
Gold
2023 Junior National Championships
Girl's U21 Singles
Gold
2022 Junior National Championships
Girl's U21 Singles
Gold
2019 Junior National Championships
Girl's U18 Singles
Silver
2018 Junior National Championships
Girl's U16 Singles
Gold
2018 Junior National Championships
Girl's U18 Doubles
Gold
2017 Junior National Championships
Girl's U16 Singles
Gold
2017 Junior National Championships
Girl's U18 Doubles
Gold
2016 Junior National Championships
Girl's U14 Singles
Silver
2016 Junior National Championships
Girl's U16 Doubles
Gold
2015 Junior National Championships
Girl's U14 Singles
Silver
2015 Junior National Championships
Girl's U16 Doubles