Princeton, NJ — George Washington University’s Breanne Flynn was named the winner of the 2017 Richey Award.
The Richey Award is given annually to the women’s college squash player who best exemplifies the ideals of squash in her love of and devotion to the game, her strong sense of fairness, and her excellence of play and leadership. Nominees for the award are evaluated based on their on-court poise and demeanor; skill level and ability; team play; contributions to intercollegiate squash; leadership; and cooperation with players, coaches, and tournament officials.
The award is named for former Vassar head coach Betty Richey, who was one of the founders of the women’s individual national tournament in 1965. A standout field hockey and lacrosse player, she launched varsity programs in women’s squash, men’s squash, field hockey, men’s tennis, and women’s tennis at Vassar. A proponent of women’s sports in general, Richey was inducted into the Women’s College Squash Hall of Fame in 1995.
Flynn was a stalwart on and off the court for George Washington. During her first season with the Colonials, she helped the squad win the Kurtz Cup (B Division) and achieve their highest ranking to date. Her sophomore season built on that success with the Colonials earning their first ever trip to the Howe Cup (A Division) and concluding the season with a national ranking of 7th.
The exercise science major captained George Washington during her junior and senior seasons. According to George Washington head coach Wendy Lawrence, Flynn “has been a standout player for GW and a standout leader of the team for the past two years. She leads by example with a strong work ethic in all facets of her career at GW. I have never been so proud of one of my players as I am of Breanne. She is the finest young woman I have ever had the honor to coach and to know.”
Flynn has earned All-American status the past two seasons. In 2016, she won a Holleran Cup draw to earn a Second Team All-American position, and this season she competed in the Ramsay Cup (A Division) and was awarded a position on the Second Team All-American squad. Flynn is the second George Washington squash player to ever be named an All-American.
George Washington’s record books are filled with Flynn’s accomplishments. She is tied for most victories in a single season, 16 wins during the 2013 – 2014 campaign. Her 53 career victories place her second on the Colonials’ career victory list.
