Hatfield, MA — 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.
Coaches consult with their teams and vote on the candidates at the Women’s National Team Championships. Each school has two votes: a team vote and a coach’s vote.
The 2016 Richey Award was presented to Kanzy El Defrawy (Trinity College).
This year, there were many talented nominees. The Executive Committee selected the three finalists for the Richey Award (listed alphabetically; click on the athletes’ names below to see photos and videos of them playing):
Breanne Flynn (George Washington University): In Breanne Flynn’s first season at George Washington, the Colonials achieved their highest ranking by winning the Kurtz Cup (B Division). Flynn helped George Washington exceed that ranking the following season as the Colonials earned their first-ever Howe Cup (A Division) berth. Flynn shares George Washington’s single season record for most victories and is second on George Washington’s career victory list. The exercise science major won a Holleran Cup (B Division) draw at last season’s Individual Championships, which garnered her 2nd Team All-American honors. George Washington head coach Wendy Lawrence states that Flynn, a two-year captain, “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 worth 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.”
Jenny Scherl (Yale University): Jenny Scherl has been at the top of the Yale ladder for the past three seasons. Over her career, she has helped the Bulldogs maintain a top 5 national ranking position. Scherl earned 2nd Team All-American honors during her sophomore and junior seasons. In addition, she was a member of the All-Ivy League Team during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 campaigns. Scherl has been an active volunteer with Squash Haven, New Haven’s urban squash program, and other community projects. According to Yale head coach Dave Talbott, “Her leadership, determination, and commitment have been at the heart of the Yale program. Jenny has demonstrated fair play, sportsmanship, and respect for her peers throughout her college career. Her focus has been on team play and being a leader for her teammates. Jenny has worked with the coaches for her own improvement, and she has carried that over with her interaction and leadership with her team.”
Maria Elena Ubina (Princeton University): Since arriving at Princeton, Maria Elena Ubina has been a model of consistency. During her first season, she earned the Ivy League Rookie of the Year honor. In addition, she has been named to the All-Ivy League team for the past three seasons. The Spanish and Portuguese major has been named to the CSA’s 1st Team All-American squad twice (2013-14 and 2014-15) and the 2nd Team All-American squad once (2015-16). Well versed in doubles squash, Ubina captured four Intercollegiate Doubles Championships with three different partners and two Mixed Intercollegiate Doubles Championships. According to Princeton head coach Gail Ramsay, “Every year I have been more and more impressed with how she handles herself, and her relations with the team and myself as her coach. Two of her most endearing qualities are humility and selflessness. Maria Elena is both humble on and off the court and always puts her teammates first.”
