Kayle Waterhouse of Connecticut College was named the 2020 Ann Wetzel Award recipient before the Epps Division Semifinal of the 2020 National Collegiate Women’s Team Championships at Yale University on Saturday evening.
The Wetzel Award is presented annually to a senior woman who began playing squash in college and has progressed to a high level of skill, demonstrates sound understanding of the game, and exhibits good sportsmanship and a positive demeanor on the court.
The award is named for Ann Wetzel. The 1964 national champion, Wetzel founded the University of Pennsylvania’s women’s varsity team in 1970. During the more than 20 years she coached at the University of Pennsylvania, Wetzel taught hundreds of women the game of squash. Through her love of the sport and her passion for teaching, she gave many women the opportunity to experience the thrill of intercollegiate squash.
Waterhouse joined the Conn College women’s squash team during her junior year in school after experiences playing basketball, tennis, and rowing on campus. She started at the bottom of the lineup coming off a study abroad program and stayed in that position for most of that season.
Waterhouse really applied herself in the off-season, however, and came into her senior season ready to compete for regular top-10 spot. She started the season in the 8th position on the ladder and bounced back and forth between number 7 and 8 throughout the year. Overall, Waterhouse compiled a 14-8 record, including an epic five-game Epps Cup-clinching victory on Sunday afternoon.
Connecticut College Head Coach Mike MacDonald is very proud of Waterhouse’s commitment, drive, and example she set for her peers. “It goes without saying that Kayle earned her spot this year. After many hours outside of practice and many days spent over the summer to improve and be more competitive for the start of her senior year, her hard work paid off. Her hustle and fight keeps her in every point, making her opponents work to win games off of her. Kayle’s dedication to squash paid of tremendously for her and she led by example, showing her teammates what hard work can do for you.”
Waterhouse is the first ever Wetzel Award winner from Connecticut College.
