HomeArticlesDrexel: 2016 – 2017 Men's College Squash Season Preview

Drexel: 2016 – 2017 Men’s College Squash Season Preview

Drexel University Philadelphia, PA — Drexel continued its rise in the rankings last season. The Dragons won the Hoehn Cup (B Division) final at the Men’s College Squash Association National Team Championships and finished the year ranked 9th. According to assistant coach Kelsey Engman, “Our goal is to continue to climb the rankings this year, be inside the top 8, and perform our very best for every match.” The Dragons remain dedicated to their partnership with SquashSmarts and will be volunteering there again this season. After graduating two players from the top-9 last season, the Dragons are adding five players, including two who are expected to compete for positions in the top 3. Leading the squad will be co-captains Atticus Kelly, who trained at the U.S. Squash Academy this summer and will represent the United States at the Pan Am Games in September, and Michael Thompson, who went 17-2 last season. Sophomore Omar El Atmas, Drexel’s first First-Team All-American, helped Drexel’s top-3 accomplish a .825 win percentage last season. If the lower third of the Dragons’ line-up can improve their win percentage, look for Drexel to earn a spot in the Potter Cup this season.

2015-2016 SEASON RECAP

Season Record: 15-4

Final Ranking: 9

Team Championships: 1st in the Hoehn Cup (B Division)

By the Numbers (From US Squash): 5-4 Matches Won: 3 of 4… Top 3 Win%: .825… Middle 3 Win%: .737… Lower 3 Win%: .579…

2016-2017 SEASON PREVIEW

Program Status: Varsity

Head Coach: John White

Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Omar El Atmas (2019, First Team All-American); 3. Atticus Kelly (2018); 4. Bransten Ming (2019); 5. Luke Willemse (2018); 6. Michael Thompson (2017); 7. Noel Solomon (2018); 9. Nathaniel Fry (2017 – CSA Scholar Athlete); 11. Cillian Dunne (2017);

Graduated/Non-Returning Players from Team Championships: 2. Ibrahim Bakir (2016); 8. Joey Gingold (2016); 10. Mark Kauf (2016);

Additions to the 2016-2017 Roster:

  • Expected to play in the middle 3: Lucas Rousselet and Josh Hughes
  • Expected to play in the bottom 3: Mustafa Khaled
  • Other addition: Jeremy Barnes and Raphael Shinkar

Captains: Atticus Kelly and Michael Thompson

Team Goals: Top-8 finish

Key Matches: All matches

To read other team previews, please visit the 2016-2017 College Squash Season Previews page.

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