Washington, DC — Although their overall record from the 2013 – 2014 season (7-12) appears marginal, the George Washington men’s squash team is an up and coming power. Those losses all came against higher ranked opponents, including several of the top teams in the nation. Last year provided valuable experience to a young squad that is gaining six established freshmen. “We have an influx of six strong players to our roster who will add a lot of depth that we need and considerable national and international match experience. We are a young team (no seniors) and we hope to develop into a unified group of players committed to working hard and enjoying it all,” adds head coach Wendy Lawrence. Last season, the Colonials were strongest in the top third of their ladder, winning 54% of the time, while the middle third and lower third won 44% and 21% respectively. With the six recruits expected to play throughout the top-9, including two in the top 4, look for George Washington to improve this season. The team would like to move into the heart of the Hoehn Cup (B Division). Therefore, they are targeting matches with Middlebury, Navy and Williams. Brian O’Hora, a former Irish national team player, is joining Lawrence’s staff as an assistant coach. With the newcomers on board, the Colonials’ goal appears to be within reach.
2013-2014 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 7-12
Final Ranking: 20
Team Championships: 4th in the Summers Cup
By the Numbers (From US Squash): 5-4 Matches Won: 2 of 3 … Position with the Most Wins: #4s had 12 Wins.
2014-2015 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: Wendy Lawrence
Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Andres De Frutos (2017); 2. Nicolas Valderrama (2017); 3. James Reiss (2016); 4. Reid Breck (2016); 5. Joshua Marks (2017); 7. Charles Norfleet (2017); 10. Ari Bental (2016); 11. Dillon Halloran (2017)
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from Team Championships: 6. David Moxley (2015); 8. Chris Bell (2014); 9. William O’Donnell (2017)
Additions to the 2014-2015 Roster:
- Expected to play in the top 4: Oisin Logan (Belvedere College – Dublin, Ireland); Mason Ripka (Professional Children’s School – New York, NY)
- Expected to play in the middle 3: Omar Mussehl (Seattle Prep, – Seattle, WA); John Bassett (Nichols School – Buffalo, NY)
- Expected to play in the bottom 3: Billy Berner (Brunswick – Greenwich, CT); James Harry Graham (Choate Rosemary Hall – Darien, CT)
Captains: James Reiss and Reid Breck
Team Goals: To continue to move up the rankings.
Key Matches: Navy, Middlebury and Williams
To read other team previews, please visit the 2014-2015 College Squash Season Previews page.
