Columbia University Lions

2021-2022 SEASON PREVIEW

• Associate Head Coach Joanne Schickerling takes over as the interim head coach.
• While she has big shoes to fill after the departure of Jacques Swanepoel – the only varsity coach in the program’s history – the Lions have two sizable rosters full of talent to take on all comers.
• The women’s team finished 5th in the country in 2020, the highest finish ever in program history, and they hope to push to even greater heights this season.
• After winning the Hoehn Cup (B Division) in 2020, the Columbia men are extremely motivated to break back into the Top 8 to compete for a national championship.

Interim Head Coach:  Joanne Schickerling
Assistant Coach: To be announced.

Women’s Team Captains:  Ellie McVeign, Habiba Mohamed
Men’s Team Captains:  Chaitanya Shah, James Wyatt

Women’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Habiba Mohamed (First Team All-America), Erica McGillicuddy, Ellie McVeigh, Cynthia Cao, Bunny Fox, Daisy Lentz, Pranjali Sharma
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Nicole Kendall, Jui Kalgutkar, Jane Pincus, Doria Chen, Julia Masch, Caroline Soper
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  Rewa Bharma, Renee Chan, Julia Fink, Anika Kanchi, Naira Kothari, Megan Meyerson, Farida Mohamed, Jannia Singh, Diksha Aurobindo, Sarah Cao, Sin Yuk Chan

Women’s Team Goal:  Improve on team’s top 5 ranking and contend for an Ivy League and National Title

Women’s Key Matches:  Virginia, Drexel, full Ivy League schedule, Trinity

Coach’s Quote about the Women’s Team: “We have an incredibly talented group of women this season who are motivated and hungry to get back on court after not competing last season. I expect the women to take the Columbia team to new heights and to finish the season the highest the team has ever finished in program history!”

Men’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Velavan Senthilkumar (First Team All-America), James Wyatt (Second Team All-America), Callan Hall, Chaitanya Shah, Justin Ghaeli, Aditya Kankariya, Hugh Camiener, Vishan Patel, Nico Hughes, Andrew Jung
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Robin Mann, Krish Kapur, Rahul Sehrawat
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  Sankalp Anand, Harold Castiaux, Zach Nam, Rutvik Rau, Sameer Saxena, Jacob Bulbulia, Ryan Chen, Gonzalo Santiago Fernandez de la Mora, Adam Goad, Gabriel Yun

Men’s Team Goal:  Make the top draw for Men’s Nationals and get back into the top 5.

Men’s Key Matches:  Virginia, Drexel, Cornell, Yale, Rochester

Coach’s Quote about the Men’s Team: “After missing out on a chance to compete last year, we have a very deep and talented squad of returners and incomers who I expect to be the toughest team physically and mentally this year and who are determined to break back into the top 5 this season.”

To read season previews for other CSA teams, please visit the 2021-2022 College Squash Season Previews page.

Colby College Mules

2021-2022 SEASON PREVIEW

• The Colby teams will finally get a chance to welcome teams to their new home facility, which opened during the pandemic.
• Both teams have a core group of starters returning to the lineup, which brings stability during an uncertain return to play.
• Colby will be looking for supremacy against Maine rivals Bates and Bowdoin while battling for good positioning within the NESCAC.

Head Coach:  Chris Abplanalp

Women’s Team Captains:  To be announced
Men’s Team Captains:  To be announced

Women’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Sabrina Teope, Stephanie Keane, Tiana Issa, Greta Drefke, Sabrina Rabins, Frances Treadwell, Fiona Casson, Lila Saligman
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Mariam Mansoor, Sydney Ku, Madeline Latimore, D’Arcy Carlson
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  Karla Dominguez, Annika Hogan, Andrea Lee, Clara Lehv, Masha Kotova

Men’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Dylan Tymkiw, Alex Spafford, Jack Vanderhorst, Ryan Santoro, Duda Voldman, Tyler Burt, Graham Mogollon, Alex Halprin, Irfan Chaudhuri, William Campbell, Robbie Villani, Phillip Lee, Rintaro Yamamoto
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Chase Holding, Alex Kurtin, Jason Brodo, Charlie Beauregard, Gautam Mitra
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  Max Benamran, Rory Hallowell, Jonathan Sosa Urganga

Teams’ Goal:  Improve team ranking both within CSA and the NESCAC

Women’s Key Matches: William Smith, St. Lawrence, Bowdoin
Men’s Key Matches: Amherst, Bowdoin, Bates, Tufts

Coach’s Quote: “We are excited about the upcoming season. After last year, we are looking forward to finally competing in our new facility. Both teams have a solid group of returners as well as newcomers that will add strength and depth to the line-ups.”

To read season previews for other CSA teams, please visit the 2021-2022 College Squash Season Previews page.

Chatham University Cougars

2021-2022 SEASON PREVIEW

• Head Coach Chris Fernandez took the reins of the program this summer after a three-year stint in the same role at Dickinson College.
• The women will have the challenge of playing their first full varsity season coming out of the pandemic and with a new coach just having taken charge.
• The men’s team flew up the rankings in 2020, capturing the Barnaby Award for the most improved team. With another strong set of recruits, the men hope to make some noise in the top 25 of the rankings.

Head Coach:  Chris Fernandez
Assistant Coach:  Jose Fernandez

Women’s Team Captains:  To be announced
Men’s Team Captains:  To be announced

Women’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  New varsity program in 2021-2022
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  Valentina Della-Maddalena, Mariam Kamal, Sofia Ramos

Men’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Abdul Malik, Owais Rasheed, Mohamed Sadek, Alaaeldin Abdelkhalik, Vinicius Muniz, Christopher Tejada
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Drew Bannon, Zane Porterfield, Jeffrey Duclos, Harry Aung
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  Agustin Carranza, Jacob Miller, Luis Moncada, Jared Nalliah, Lucas Oliviera, Abdelrahman Sadek, Chas Stewart

Women’s Team Goals:  Get our numbers to at least 7 players in order for our matches to count towards nationals. Looking forward to our first year as a competitive women varsity squash team. Win 1 match!!
Men’s Team Goals: Move up the rankings!  Beat at least two of the teams ranked ahead of us.

Women’s Key Matches: Denison, Mount Holyoke, Haverford
Men’s Key Matches: Hobart, Dickinson, St. Lawrence, Hamilton

Coach’s Quote: “Looking forward to the growth and unity of this group. I expect to see great sporting behavior, fierce competitors and a close-knit tight unit when you catch the Cougars in town!”

To read season previews for other CSA teams, please visit the 2021-2022 College Squash Season Previews page.

Bowdoin College Polar Bears

2021-2022 SEASON PREVIEW

• After not having a full squad together throughout last academic year, Head Coach Theo Woodward is excited to have everyone back and ready to compete.
• The women were vastly improved in 2020 and will look to build on that momentum with their top five starters all returning, plus six new additions competing for a starting place.
• The men lost three starters, but they have added some highly rated players to push all-conference performer Deven Kanwal.

Head Coach:  Theo Woodward
Assistant Coach:  Brendan McClintick

Women’s Team – Seniors:  Melissa Horan
Men’s Team – Seniors:  Carson Claar, Ishaan George, Jack Milligan, Adham Sobhy

Women’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Caroline Glaser, Clio Bersani, Ursula Sze, Sophie Barber, Melissa Horan, Catherine Adams, Gretchen Clauss, Tessa Frank
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Maya Chandar-Kouba, Lucy Noel, Callie Burkhart, Hannah Reiff
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  Julia Barrozo, Amanda Cowhey, Cabell Crowder, Micheka Fenelon, Frances Hornbostel, Delphine King, Ella Olcese, Skyler Spaulding, Emma Watts-Roy

Men’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Deven Kanwal, John Milligan, Adham Sobhy, Carson Claar, Henry Somerby, Ishaan George, Edwardo Perez, Charlie Preusse, Zach Hobbs
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Tyler Shonrock, Gannon Leech, Drew Clark
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  Nathaniel Ahn, Neil Bam, Justin Barr, Alexander Ranganathan, Abhiroop Reddy, Jackson Rho, Nick Wilkinson, Jack Winston

Team Goals:  Achieve a Top 15 National Ranking. Have fun and compete with pride!

Women’s Key Matches: Wesleyan, Amherst, Bates, Tufts
Men’s Key Matches: Bates, Amherst, Colby, Navy, Tufts

To read season previews for other CSA teams, please visit the 2021-2022 College Squash Season Previews page.

Bates College Bobcats

2021-2022 SEASON PREVIEW

• Head Coach Reinhold Hergeth enters his third year with hopes of reaching the NESCAC finals, which would leave both teams in great positions for the team championships
• Both teams lost their No. 1 players from two years ago to graduation.
• The women’s team has a deep returning squad which should help get the team off on the right foot.
• The men’s team lost six starters from two years ago, so they will rely on some new faces to reach their goals.

Head Coach:  Reinhold Hergeth
Assistant Coach:  Andrea Echeverria

Women’s Team Captains:  Katie Manternach, Natalie Bachman, Erika Parker-Schmidt
Men’s Team Captains:  Jesper Phillips, Peter Koenigsbauer

Women’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Erika Parker-Schmidt, Katherine Manternach, Ella Lungstrum, Natasha Jones, Victoria Haghighi, Cordelia Dotson, Natalie Bachman, Lucy Moseley
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Luca Polgar, Maeve O’Brien, Tiffany Cervantes
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  Grace Flaherty, Andrea Martagon, Marina McGuire, Zaya Rothenberg, Dainalee Velez

Men’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Jesper Phillips, Jonathan Walker, Peter Koenigsbauer, Sultan Hashmi, Jairaj Singh
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Graham Bonnell, Mahmoud Yousry, Omar Attia, Garon Rothenberg, Benni McComish, Dylan Muldoon, David Quintero
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  Labeeb Ali, Tad Koenigsbauer, Matthew Lazor, Tasker Peacock, Harris Ramlee, Alec Spiro, Garrett Wenberg, Adrian Wong

Women’s Team Goal:  Qualifying for the Kurtz Cup at Nationals and reaching the NESCAC finals.
Men’s Team Goal:  Qualifying for the Hoehn Cup at Nationals and reaching the NESCAC finals.

Women’s Key Matches:  Williams, Middlebury, Amherst, Tufts
Men’s Key Matches:  Williams, Middlebury, MIT, Colby

Coach’s Quote: “We are proud of our diversity ranging from players around the world and the entire country who will be representing Bates Squash once again. Our expectation is to continue building a hard working culture, while maintaining transparency and commitment as student-athletes. Additionally, we are proud to support our coaches and teammates through all hardships on and off the court as we continue to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.”

To read season previews for other CSA teams, please visit the 2021-2022 College Squash Season Previews page.

Bard College Raptors

2021-2022 SEASON PREVIEW

• Coach Thorpe-Clark will lead a rebuilding year after graduating several dedicated players
• Liberty League Championships will be hosted by local conference rival Vassar College on Feb. 5-6, 2022.

Head Coach:  Craig Thorpe-Clark

Women’s Team Captains:  Pam Jaramillo, Jackie Lerman
Men’s Team Captains:  Martin Graham, Alex Luscher

Women’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Pam Jaramillo, Jackie Lerman, Cameron Orr, Cerina Shippey
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Riti Bahl, Siren Chen, Nadia Russell, Justine Zaki, Marlaina Yost
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  To be announced

Men’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Wyatt Alger, Layl Andary, Will Egan, Martin Graham, Alex Luscher
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Noah Gichan, Simon Nichoson, John Michael Richards, Devon Wall, Theodore Webb, Artun Ak, Lukas Roscoe, Marko Jukic
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  To be announced

Team Goals:  Make the most of every opportunity to play and compete. Work hard to be competitive in every match. Enjoy the chance to practice, play and compete again!

Women’s Key Matches: Vassar, Fordham, Rochester, Wellesley
Men’s Key Matches: Vassar, Fordham, Bucknell, Wash. Univ. of St. Louis

To read season previews for other CSA teams, please visit the 2021-2022 College Squash Season Previews page.

Amherst College Mammoths

2021-2022 SEASON PREVIEW

• First season with competition under head coach Busani Xaba
• Extensive turnover on both men’s and women’s rosters creates open opportunities for new roster additions
• Women’s team aiming to reach Kurtz Cup (B Division) play after winning Summers Cup (C Division) in 2020
• Men’s team will battle with several other NESCAC foes for conference accolades and Top-20 national positioning

Head Coach:  Busani Xaba
Assistant Coach:  Thijs van der Pluijm

Women’s Team Captains:  Keeley Osborn, Lily Soroko
Men’s Team Captains:  Andrew Leung, Charlie Sutherby

Women’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Daksha Pathak, Lauren Weil, Lilly Soroko, Margaret Werner, Keeley Osborn, Emma Spencer, Kathryn Parker,
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Caroline Conway, Riddhi Sampat, Pierson Klein, Katherine Correia, Jenna Finkelstein
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  Tana Delalio, Callie Delalio, Margaret Pearson, Blair Englert, Isabelle Tilney-Sandberg, Supriya Chang, Tanmai Pathak, Fances Burton

Men’s Team Roster Updates
Returning Players:  Robinson Armour, Charlie Sutherby, Adam Lichtmacher, Terrence Wang, Nathaniel Mosse, Andrew Leung, Pavan Nagaraj, Rohil Bathija, John Grissom, Shayan Hussain, Alexander Schwartz
Graduated/Non-Returning Starting Players:  Robert Parker, Reggie Brewster, Christopher Zimmerman, Mitchell Ford
Additions to 2021-2022 Roster:  Ben Goldstein, Matthew Granovsky, Abhimanyu Gupta, Walter Huffman, Neal Malani, Kedar Nagaraj, Yeshwin Sankuratri, Kaetu Wleh

Team Goal:  Team leadership to learn how to communicate about DEI. Doing the best we can for each other.

Women’s Key Matches: Franklin & Marshall, Bates, Middlebury, Tufts
Men’s Key Matches: Navy, Bowdoin, Colby, Bates

To read season previews for other CSA teams, please visit the 2021-2022 College Squash Season Previews page.

The 2021 summer was very active for coaching changes in the College Squash Association (CSA), with four new head coaches assuming their roles and three vacancies still remaining. Yale University, Chatham University, University of Rochester, and Georgetown University all found new leaders, while recent departures leave open positions at Columbia University, Dartmouth College, and Dickinson College.

Yale University

Right at the beginning of the summer, Yale’s Associate Head Coach Lynn Leong earned a promotion to Brooks G. Ragen Director of Squash where she will serve as the head coach of both the women’s and men’s teams. Leong takes over for Yale legend and College Squash Hall of Famer Dave Talbott, who retired from coaching earlier this year.

Leong, originally from Malaysia, served as the senior assistant and then the associate head coach at Yale for a total of four seasons before moving into the head coaching role. As a player, she won two national collegiate team championships with Trinity College and was a three-time First Team All-America selection.

Joining Leong’s staff as an assistant coach is Campbell Grayson. The 17-year veteran of the Professional Squash Association World Tour from New Zealand will coach both programs.

Chatham University 

In the young history of Chatham Squash, the Cougars have found their second leader in Chris Fernandez, formerly the head coach at Dickinson College. Fernandez will be tasked with fostering a fast-improving men’s team while guiding the women’s team through their first full season of varsity play.

Fernandez’s experience as a CitySquash graduate, an accomplished interscholastic and collegiate player at Canterbury School and St. Lawrence University, and a Squash & Education Alliance board member will serve him well as he expands on the foundation laid by inaugural Chatham head coach Larissa Stephenson.

University of Rochester 

The heralded University of Rochester men’s program shuffled the deck this summer by naming alumnus and former assistant coach Mario Yanez Tapia as their new head coach. Yanez takes over that position from Martin Heath, who transitions to the newly formed role of Director of Men’s Squash Elite Performance.

The program’s all-time leader in wins, Yanez helped lead the Yellowjackets to three Top-6 finishes during his three seasons as assistant coach. Along with the accolades within the team, Yanez also earned four straight First Team All-America nods and was the National Collegiate Individual Finalist during his senior season in 2017.

Heath will have a unique opportunity to develop a team-specific high performance program while continuing to support the Rochester players and Yanez’s transition to head coach.

Georgetown University 

Earlier this week, Georgetown named Tim Lasusa as the inaugural head coach for the new varsity women’s team. Lasusa arrives in Washington after spending the previous four seasons as an assistant coach at Yale University alongside Talbott and Leong.

Lasusa will need to get up to speed fast as the academic year, the recruiting timeline, and the season all ramp up quickly this fall. He will rely on his experience at Yale as well as his playing experience at powerhouse St. Lawrence University to set a path for the new program.

New Assistant Coaches 

Amherst College – Thijs van der Pluijm
Bowdoin College – Brendan McClintick
St. Lawrence University – Jamie Oakley
Yale University – Campbell Grayson

Jack Fairs, the legendary player and coach of many Western (Ontario) University teams and a college squash Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, passed away yesterday at the age of 98.

Fairs was affiliated with Western for over 50 years and contributed in a vast array of ways, particularly in the areas of physical education and squash coaching. Fairs coached many successful Western squash teams, as well as two National Collegiate Individual Champions – Phil Mohtadi (1976) and Scott Dulmage (1989).

In 1997, the National Intercollegiate Squash Racquets Association (NISRA, predecessor to CSA) established a Lifetime Achievement Award. Deservedly, Fairs was the first recipient.

“Jack is the reason Western has become the hub for varsity squash and we will do our best to honour him this season and beyond,” said Chris Hanebury, current head coach for Western’s team. “Rest In Peace, Jack. You lived a truly inspirational life and influenced countless people. Thank you for everything.”

CSA sends sincere condolences to the Fairs family and everyone whose life was touched by Fairs’s coaching, teaching, and mentorship.

The full release announcing Fairs’s passing can be viewed here.