New London, CT — Connecticut College looks to be a contender in the C Division this year. After finishing seventh in the Summers Cup last season, the team is now angling for a spot in the division’s top four. To get there, they will have to take down several NESCAC opponents. “Amherst, Wesleyan and Bowdoin will be the key matches for us,” observes Barry Ward, who is taking over men’s head coaching duties from Chris O’Brien. “They are just above us in the rankings and they have always been competitive.” Almost the entire order remains intact minus its bookends, as number 1 Caleb Garza and number 9 Asa Welty have graduated. “Replacing our #1 is a tall order but we have a strong #1 for this year and good depth on the team to go along with him,” says Ward. Five new players will be adding to that depth: Nat Fry, Rafael Gamba, Clay Lenahan, Matt Lillie, and Ben Osajie. The team is exploring winter training options in Montreal or the Caribbean as they prepare for the NESCAC championships, which will help position them for Nationals. Ward characterizes the Camels as a “keen, hard working team always looking to move up in the rankings.”

2012-2013 SEASON RECAP

Season Record: 12-15

Final Ranking: 23

Team Championships: 7th in the Summers Cup

2013-2014 SEASON PREVIEW

Program Status: Varsity

Head Coach: Barry Ward

Returning Players from Team Championships: 2. Brian Mullen (2015); 3. John Sluder (2014); 4. Ben Thaler (2014); 5. Hunter Bolling (2014); 6. Randy Coplin (2014); 7. Justin Curtis (2014); 8. Mike Coscarelli (2015); 10. Nico Premutico (2016); 11. Brendan McClintick (2016)

Graduated/Non-Returning Players from 2012-2013 Team Championships: 1. Caleb Garza (2013 – Second Team All-NESCAC); 9. Asa Welty (2013 – NESCAC All-Sportsmanship); Matt Wishnoff (2013)

Additions to the 2013-2014 Roster:

• Other addition: Nat Fry (The Shipley School – Haverford, PA); Rafael Gamba (Poly Prep CDS – Brooklyn, NY); Clay Lenahan (Daniel Hand High School – Madison, CT); Matt Lillie (Weston High School – Weston, MA); Ben Osajie (Boston Latin School – Boston, MA)

Captains: Hunter Bolling and Mike Coscarelli

Team Goals: To move up into the top four in the C Division

Key Matches: Amherst, Bowdoin, and Wesleyan

To read other team previews, please visit the 2013-2014 College Squash Season Previews page.