HomeArticlesNavy: 2014 – 2015 Men’s College Squash Season Preview

Navy: 2014 – 2015 Men’s College Squash Season Preview

Naval AcademyAnnapolis, MD — The Naval Academy squad is poised for a successful season. The Midshipmen are stocked with players. According to head coach Craig Dawson, “This year’s team will be dangerous with ten varsity players returning and only the loss of one starter.” He adds that five incoming recruits have the “potential to be one of the stronger additions in any season.”  The Naval Academy will look to repeat as the intercollegiate doubles champions. Last season, Andrew McGuinness and Hunter Beck won the title by defeating teammates Jim Kacergis and Bill Kacergis. The Mids will also continue to draw on their mental toughness; Navy proved their mettle by winning 80% of their 5-4 matches, a feat they hope to improve on this season. The Midshipmen will be led by senior captain McGuiness, a mainstay in the top-2 positions of their line-up. McGuiness, an Oceanography major, who is known for his sense of fair play and sportsmanship, has volunteered with the Urban Squash programs Squash Wise and Squash Smarts, led at the Naval Academy’s Summer Seminar, and attended the Captain’s Encounter leadership program. McGuiness is joined by fellow seniors James Kacergis, Colin Barry, and John Hsu in leading the Naval Academy team this season. With the experience line-up, newcomers, and senior leadership, Navy is ready for the adventure of the 2014 – 2015 campaign. In June of 2015, the team will travel to France to attend the ceremony for the 71st anniversary D-Day invasion at Omaha beach. While in France, the team will play squash in Paris and Caen.

2013-2014 SEASON RECAP

Season Record: 15-8

Final Ranking: 15

Team Championships: 7th in the Hoehn Cup

By the Numbers (From US Squash): 5-4 Matches Won: 4 of 5 … Position with the Most Wins: #2s and 4s had 17 Wins.

2014-2015 SEASON PREVIEW

Program Status: Varsity

Head Coach: Craig Dawson

Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. James Kacergis (2015); 2. Andrew McGuinness (2015, winner of the intercollegiate doubles championships); 3. Mitchell Bottini (2016); 4. Colin Barry (2015); 6. Bill Kacergis (2016); 7. Reed Whitney (2017); 8. John Hsu (2015); 9. Randall Beck (2017); 10. Will Walker (2017)

Graduated/Non-Returning Players from Team Championships: 5. Hunter Beck (2014, winner of the intercollegiate doubles championships)

Additions to the 2014-2015 Roster:

  • Expected to play in the top 3: Josh Hughes (Malvern, PA); and Jack Herold (Chicago, IL)
  • Expected to play in the bottom 3: Greg Hyer (Tenafly, NJ); and Sam McCartney (Chicago, IL)
  • Other addition: Josh Shamrakov (Burlingame, CA)

Captains: Andrew McGuinness

Team Goals: To repeat as intercollegiate doubles champion;  to move up in the rankings and have a successful tournament

To read other team previews, please visit the 2014-2015 College Squash Season Previews page.

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