Granville, OH — Ten years ago, Denison was a top-ten team, and the Big Red spent much of the last decade within the top twenty. As other teams have gotten stronger, Denison has slipped in the rankings, and their 24th-place finish last season was their weakest in years.
Even so, the team is optimistic about the future as they continue to rebuild the program. “This year is going to be a bit of a rebuilding year for the Denison squash team,” admits co-captain Ron Ongaro. “We are still very excited about the team that is being put together. It is going to take very serious leadership from our captains but they are up for the challenge.”
In the Big Red’s favor is the fact that almost all the team members from last season are returning. Number 1 Joran Diwan was the only graduate last season. Sophomore Nate Ardente, who took a year off from squash to focus on lacrosse, will join the team and is expected to play somewhere between 5 and 8.
Martin Prentice, last season’s number 2, got some additional experience this season representing Denison at the Mid-American Squash Open in Chicago. He defeated Will Bennedict of Northwestern in the finals to capture the title.
It should be a busy season for the Big Red. They will travel to Kenyon take on the Lords and fellow-Midwestern teams Purdue and Notre Dame. Denison will also travel to Navy and Maine during the season to compete with a number of varsity squads, and they will host the annual Denison Open in December.
2009-2010 RECAP
Season Record: 8-9
Final Ranking: 24
National Team Championships: 24th Overall; 8th in the Summers Cup (“C” Division)
2010-2011 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Club
Head Coach: Peter Burling
Returning Players from Team Championships: Simon Carr (6); Dillon Booth (10); Nate Hobrath (7); Michael Krasnow (8); Will Lawson (4); Griffin Merrill (9); Ron Ongaro (3); Martin Prentice (2); Henry Robb (9)
Graduate on Last Season’s Team Championships Roster: Joran Diwan (1)
Addition to the 2010-2011 Roster: Nate Ardente
Captains: Ron Ongaro and Henry Robb
Team Goals: Finish in the Top 25
To read other team previews, please visit the 2010 – 2011 College Squash Preview Page.
