Middletown, CT — The Wesleyan Cardinals finished the 2009-2010 season with their first winning record — 15 and 14 — since the 1998-1999 season. A key win was a 5-4 victory over Vassar, which positioned the Cardinals as the top seed in the Walker Cup (C Division) coming into the Women’s National Team Championships (Howe Cup).
At the Women’s National Team Championships, the Cardinals looked strong in their opening round sweep of William Smith. However, they fell 1-8 in the second round to eventual Walker Cup champs George Washington before rebounding with a thrilling 5-4 win over F&M. The contest was tied 4-4 going into the number 1 match, and senior captain Casey Simchik, who had played number 1 for the Cardinals for four years, closed out her college career with the deciding win.
Simchik is one of three seniors who graduated last season. Gwynne Hunter, who played as high as number 2 for the Cardinals during her college career, secured one of the wins against F&M, and Elizabeth Larner was the only Wesleyan player to take a match against George Washington.
Though the Cardinals will miss the senior trio, they will gain five first-year players. Mary Foster and Diana Edwards are expected to join sophomore Grace Zimmerman in the top 3, and Nell Schwed should compete for a spot somewhere in the bottom 6. Kar-Anne Tan and Jessica Titlebaum will also be joining the team.
Head coach Shona Kerr and assistant coach Patti Kletcha-Porter are both returning to guide the Cardinals. The team can look forward to a training trip in January, though the location is still to be decided; Wesleyan traveled to California last winter break.
2009-2010 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 14-13
Final Ranking: 19
Team Championships: 19th Overall; 3rd in Walker Cup (C Division)
2010-2011 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: Shona Kerr
Returning Players from Team Championships: Jenny Chu (6); Danielle Craig (4); Caroline Fox (7); Ashley Garrett (8); Tanesha Jackson (3); Meherazade Sumariwalla (10); Grace Zimmerman (2)
Graduates on Last Season’s Team Championships Roster: Gwynne Hunter (5); Elizabeth Larner (9); Casey Simchik (1; 2009-2010 Captain)
Additions to the 2010-2011 Roster:
- Expected to play in the top 3: Mary Foster and Diana Edwards
- Expected to play in the bottom 6: Nell Schwed
- Other additions: Kar-Anne Tan and Jessica Titlebaum
Team Goals: To reach the top 16
Key Matches: All Nescac matches, Vassar, GWU
To read other team previews, please visit the 2010 – 2011 College Squash Preview Page.
