The College Squash Association (CSA) has announced the finalists for the Betty Richey Award—the most prestigious annual individual honor bestowed to a women’s squash student-athlete by the CSA. 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 submitted by the coaches of varsity women’s teams. The winner of the award is determined by a vote of coaches. The Richey Award honoree will be presented with the award this weekend during the CSA National Collegiate Women’s Team Championships.
Finalists are listed in alphabetical order:
Lucy Beecroft, Yale University
A multi-year First Team All-Ivy and All-American honoree, Lucy Beecroft has led the Yale Bulldogs from the top of the lineup during all four years of play. Through her first three years, Beecroft amassed a 37-15 record against the best competition in the CSA, and her success on the court has continued this season with a 10-2 record so far. Off the court, she enjoys giving back to the local community through service and has earned CSA Scholar-Athlete recognition as well.
Yale Head Coach David Talbott has this to say about his team captain: “The contributions of Lucy to college squash over her four years in the CSA aligns in all facets with the Betty Richey Award. Lucy played at the highest level and represented the sport on court with integrity and respect from all her competitors. She is a leader of her team and represented Yale with the greatest regard from all involved.”
Eleonore Evans, Harvard University
Eleonore Evans, of Harvard University, has been the consummate teammate and has brought valuable stability to the heart of the Crimson lineup throughout her career. Her run of success over her four years has been outstanding, compiling a 54-3 record through the end of her senior year regular season. Evans has contributed to four straight National Championship and Ivy League titles and will look to cap off a phenomenal career wth another individual All-American nod.
The Harvard coaching staff has this to say about their senior player: “Eleonore possesses every attribute that a coach could ask for. She is extraordinarily self-motivated and constantly looks to do extra work. She is an exemplary teammate who always puts the needs of the team first. Eleonore consistently displays impeccable sportsmanship on court and has been a great model for her teammates. She has only lost three matches during her college career and has become a key player for the Crimson.”
Georgina Kennedy, Harvard University
Georgina Kennedy has earned immense praise throughout college squash for her sporting behavior and her incredible run of success during her career. Already she has played in the individual National Championship match three times, emerging victorious in two of them during her freshman and junior years. Kennedy has earned every major postseason award in Ivy League play and will be on the hunt for two more championships to add to her resume before this year is over.
Kennedy earns this praise from the Harvard coaching staff: “Gina Kennedy has had one of the most successful college careers in history. She has won the individual national title both in her freshman and junior years and she was a finalist in her sophomore year. She hasn’t lost a match in the last two years while playing #1 for the Crimson. This year, she was voted co-captain by her peers and she led the team to a 14-0 regular season. Despite her success, Gina is one of the most modest players. She’s a fair and friendly competitor who has left her unique mark on Harvard’s team culture for years to come. As a teammate and captain, she’s a kind and motivated role model who always leads by example.”
