Charleston, SC — Charleston is part of the burgeoning college squash scene in the Southeast.
In their Men’s National Team Championships debut, the Cougars fielded a full nine-player team and competed for the Hawthorn Cup in the “G” Division. Though Charleston didn’t win a match at nationals, they came close; they lost 4-5 to Notre Dame with many matches going past three games. The Cougars also won three matches off of Vermont and two off of Fordham.
Coming into the 2010-2011 season, Charleston should be in good position to add to the wins column. Only one player from last year’s championship roster has graduated, and four new players will be added to the team. Ben Bevan, a first-year player out of Conestoga High School, has five years of squash experience and should play in the top 5. Sophomore transfer Andre Doe should also play in the top three. Two other first-year players — Ricky Keane from Porter Gaud High School and Evan Casciato, another Conestoga High School grad — are expected to compete for spots in the middle of the ladder.
The team plans to compete in the Southeastern Squash Racquets Association (SESRA) tournament again this year; last year, Charleston won its first collegiate match ever against Tulane at the tournament. The Cougars also hope to expand their schedule and compete in another collegiate tournament in addition to traveling to Harvard for nationals.
According to captain Torey Broderson, the team will also be working with new coaches this season. “We are moving towards hiring Anna Minkowski and Matt Jensen as our coaches for this season,” Broderson reports. The Cougars also plan to give back to the local community. “We plan on working with Chucktown squash extensively this year to help teach underprivileged children in Charleston to learn how to play squash.”
With a growing program, the Cougars have good reason to be excited about the upcoming season. “We are an up and coming team from South Carolina,” Broderson says, “And we are really looking forward to playing some great squash this year!”
2009-2010 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 1-4
Final Ranking: 57
Team Championships: 56th Overall; 8th in Hawthorn Cup (G Division)
2010-2011 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Club
Returning Players from Team Championships: Allison Boynton (8); Torey Broderson (1); Peter Corbett (5); Cameron Davis (4); Morisa Herrick (7); Stephen Pond (3); Sam Rahe (9); Ben Schwertz (10); Laura Wright (6)
Graduates on Last Season’s Team Championships Roster: Dan Hillman (2)
Additions to the 2010-2011 Roster:
- Expected to play in the top 3: Ben Bevan and Andre Doe
- Expected to play in the middle 3: Ricky Keane and Evan Casciato
Captain: Torey Broderson
Team Goals: Break into the Top 50
Key Matches: SESRA tournament
To read other team previews, please visit the 2010 – 2011 College Squash Preview Page.
