Princeton, NJ — Michaela Martin of Bowdoin was named the 2014 Wetzel Award winner.
The Wetzel Award is presented annually to a senior who began playing squash in college and has progressed to a high level of skill, demonstrates sound understanding of the game, and exhibits good sportsmanship and a positive demeanor on the court.
To be eligible for this award, candidates may not have played squash before coming to college, and this limitation includes informal play as well as formal instruction. In essence, a player would not have picked up a squash racquet before coming to college.
Candidates for the award are evaluated by a committee of college coaches. The award is named for former University of Pennsylvania coach Ann Wetzel. During the more than 20 years she coached at the University of Pennsylvania, Wetzel taught hundreds of women the game of squash. Wetzel was inducted into the Women’s College Squash Hall of Fame in 1995 and the U.S. Squash Hall of Fame in 2003.
This year’s award was presented at the Women’s National Team Championships, which were hosted by Princeton University.
A tennis player in high school, Martin learned to play squash as a first-year student, and she was hooked. During her first season, she played #8, recording eight victories.
By the end of her sophomore year, she moved to the middle of the ladder. She captured 12 matches. As a junior, Martin helped the Polar Bears capture the Walker Cup (C Division) at the 2013 Women’s National Team Championships. During her junior campaign, she recorded 11 victories.
As a senior, Martin played #3 for Bowdoin. As a captain, she helped the team finish the season ranked 19th in the nation. She concluded her senior season with 14 victories.
She is the second player from Bowdoin to win the Wetzel Award.
