New Haven, CT — Last season, Yale earned their first Potter Cup (national championship) since 1990. The Bulldogs had the rare honor of hosting and winning the title. According to associate head coach Pam Saunders, “Our men’s team is a cohesive group of interesting young men who all have a vested interest in the well being of this team as well as life at Yale and beyond. We train very hard and methodically while having a great time together.” Yale only played two 5-4 matches last season, but the won the most important one, the national championship final. This year, the Bulldogs’ goal is to repeat as national and Ivy League champions. To ease the team in accomplishing that goal would be stronger performances out of their top 3. Last year, the Bulldogs’ top 3 players had a .510 win percentage, much lower than the middle (.882) and lower (.824) thirds of the ladder. In fact, in the Potter Cup, the top 3 only won 3 of their 9 matches. The addition of Spencer Lovejoy, who represented the United States at the World Junior Championships, should help bolster the Bulldogs’ top half of the ladder this season. Debuting at the end of last season, Yale’s new video review system will enable streaming and teaching on every court in Yale’s facility. The Bulldogs also resurfaced the front walls and tins of their courts. Look for Yale to be in the hunt for back-to-back championships this season.
2015-2016 SEASON RECAP
Season Record: 15-2
Final Ranking: 1
Team Championships: 1st in the Potter Cup (A Division)
By the Numbers (From US Squash): 5-4 Matches Won: 1 of 2… Top 3 Win%: .510… Middle 3 Win%: .882… Lower 3 Win%: .824…
2016-2017 SEASON PREVIEW
Program Status: Varsity
Head Coach: David Talbott
Associate Head Coach: Pam Saunders
Returning Players from Team Championships: 2. TJ Dembinski (2017); 4. Kah Wah Cheong (2017 – MCSA Second Team All-American; CSA Scholar Athlete); 5. Thomas Kingshott (2018); 6. Max Martin (2018); 7. Pierson Broadwater (2018); 8. Liam Mc Clintock (2017 – CSA Scholar Athlete); 9. Arjun Kochhar (2018);
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from Team Championships: 1. Zac Leman (2016); 3. Sam Fenwick (2016 – All-Ivy League Team; Academic All-Ivy); 10. Pehlaaj Bajwa (2016 – CSA Scholar Athlete); 11. Peter Dewire (2016);
Additions to the 2016-2017 Roster:
- Expected to play in the top 5: Spencer Lovejoy
- Expected to play in the bottom 5: Calvin McCafferty
- Other addition: Parth Bhatia
Captain: TJ Dembinski
Team Goals: To repeat as national and Ivy champions
Key Matches: All Ivy League matches, Drexel, Rochester, and Trinity
To read other team previews, please visit the 2016-2017 College Squash Season Previews page.
