Lancaster, PA — When Franklin & Marshall upset Princeton early last season, the focus was more on the Tigers’ loss than the Diplomats’ win. But by the end of the season, Franklin & Marshall had proved that that win was no fluke, reaching the semifinals of the Men’s National Team Championships and finishing fourth in the nation. This season, it might be hard for the Diplomats to produce another strong performance right out of the gate, as they have lost two of their top three players to graduation, and Abhishek Pradhan, last season’s number 1, will be away during the fall semester. Those changes should give the returners and the three new players — Michael Sorochev, Philip Kelly, and Jackson McCord — opportunities to test themselves. In addition to wanting to return to the top flight at nationals, the Diplomats will be working on improving their overall team GPA, growing closer as a team, and doing more volunteer work with Squash ACES. “We are a hard-working, close group of student athletes, like one big squash family,” say head coach Gavin Jones. “Our team moto is WE ARE ONE TEAM!”
2013-2014 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 15-5
Final Ranking: 4
Team Championships: 4th in the Potter Cup
By the Numbers (From US Squash): 5-4 Matches Won: 1 of 3 … Position with the Most Wins: #5s and 6s had 17 Wins
2014-2015 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: Gavin Jones
Associate Head Coach: Ron Epps
Returning Players from Team Championships: 4. Cole Osborne (2017); 5. Alex Arjoon (2015); 6. Pedro V Almeida (2016); 7. Dylan Cunningham (2016); 9. Brian Henry (2015 – Molloy Cup First Consolation Winner); 11. Karim Nabil (2017)
Away During the Fall Semester: 1. Abhishek Pradhan (2017 – CSA Second Team All-American)
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from Team Championships: 2. Charles Cutler (2014); 3. Mauricio Sedano (2014 – CSA Second Team All-American); 8. Ryan Mullaney (2014); 10. Aadit Zaveri (2014)
Additions to the 2014-2015 Roster:
- Expected to play in the top 5: Michael Sorochev (Ukraine)
- Expected to play in the top 9: Philip Kelly (Philadelphia, PA) and Jackson McCord (Philadelphia, PA)
Captains: Alex Arjoon and Brian Henry
Team Goals: Top 8 ranking
Key Matches: All matches
To read other team previews, please visit the 2014-2015 College Squash Season Previews page.
