Varsity Squash program continues to Grow

Our varsity squash team has grown in leaps and bounds. Not only in numbers but continued in spirit, teamwork and collaboration.  This year we were also excited to be able to offer an all girls team since our program has been growing. During the 2023-2024 season we brought up 8th grade athlete Andrew Reitler, who was an experienced squash player, so it was no surprise to repeat that for this year inviting 8th grade, Brady Cooper, brother of a senior on the team, to join our roster.

For this edition's spotlight, we highlighted Brady Yang on his experience. Click here to read the interview!

Interview by: Wavey Cole, AAC Student Body Liason

Q: What was your initial reaction when you found out you made the high school varsity team as an 8th grader?

A: A large reason I joined the team was because both the coach and many seniors on the team asked me to join. Furthermore, I've played the game for a while.

Q: How does being on the varsity team compare to your previous sports experience? What are some challenges you’ve faced so far?

A; On my previous 7/8 team there was no team spirit. Unfortunately I didn't make any lasting connections with anyone on the team and during practice there was very little conversation or speech at all. On the varsity team, every practice felt like a family reunion; all the players were set on working with their peers to improve, and during games, there were pep talks, coaching from peers, and other supportive acts that made the team feel welcome. Furthermore, many of the players approached me outside practice to talk and just be friends. Performance-wise, although it's a varsity team, squash is more a sport of endurance rather than strength, so practices aren't any more challenging to an 8th grader than they would be to a junior.

Q: How do you balance being an 8th grader with older teammates on the varsity team? Do you ever feel out of place, or do you feel like part of the team?
A: The team quickly welcomed me as their own and most times I didn't even notice that I was much younger than the rest of the team. However, it may have been easier to connect with the team for me rather than the average 8th grader, as I have older siblings and therefore am more used to talking with older people casually.

Q; What’s the atmosphere like at practice and during competitions? Do you feel the pressure of competing with older athletes?
A: I am confident with my skills in the sport and am used to playing against bigger and stronger opponents. In fact, 4/5 of the people I've played so far have been tall seniors who only know how to hit the ball hard, to which I beat almost all of them (I have a 4-1 win rate right now). In addition, I understand that as an 8th grader, I'm likely the underdog in most matches, so there's no shame in losing when I'm practically half their height.

Q: How do your high school teammates support you? Have they helped you adjust to the demands of being on a varsity team?
A: The high schoolers give the team pep talks and coach each other on what more could be done. This did help me understand the stakes of the competition, but because my older siblings have played on varsity teams, I was already well acquainted with what being a varsity athlete entails.

Q: How did you first get into squash, and what do you love most about the sport?
A: I first got into squash when my dad took me to his college club and enrolled me in lessons. At first, it was a chore to go up to Bryant Park on Mondays and fail to get the ball even halfway across the court. But eventually, I got better and learned to love the strategy of the game.

Q: Can you describe a memorable match or tournament you've competed in? What were the key moments or takeaways from that experience?
A: There was one tournament where I was going against someone completely better than me, they were about a rating point higher than me (which means a lot in squash rating) and were the favorite to win the tournament. Knowing I was the underdog, I stayed confident and made sure not to give up. With that mentality, I ended up earning large amounts of points each game and even taking a game off him (which is very impressive for how much higher his rating was compared to mine). Overall, demonstrating how being confident will make you better in every scenario.

Q: What are some of your personal accomplishments or accolades in squash so far? Are there any wins or achievements that stand out to you?
A: I’ve reached a rating of 3.4, which is a mid-intermediate level. Although I don’t have any particularly impressive achievements.

Q: What skills or strategies do you think are most important in squash, and how have you been working on improving them?
A: Likely the most important quality in squash is spatial awareness, as throughout the game you need to know where your opponent is, so you can hit the ball in the corner that will stump them the most. Furthermore, you can get points if the opponent is in the way of your shot or swing, which is another important application of spatial awareness. I’ve been improving this skill by reminding myself to keep an eye on the opponent and practicing hitting in all 4 corners of the court.

Q: How do you stay motivated and continue improving in squash, especially with the level of competition you face on the varsity team?
A: The level of competition is actually what motivates me to keep improving, as next year, I'm likely going to be the 3^rd seed on the team, so if I fail to improve, the team will likely fail with me. Furthermore, once you get older the opponents only get better, so in order to call yourself good at the sport, you need to either match or exceed the talent of your opponents.

Interview by Jesminder Vega, AAC Chair of Communications

Gavin Shines at Federation Meet

In this issue, we’re thrilled to spotlight one of our exceptional athletes, Gavin W, who recently competed at the prestigious Federations meet. Reflecting on the experience, Gavin shared, "It was very fun and an honor to take part in. It was a really special way to end my high school cross-country career." Competing alongside some of the top athletes in the state, Gavin embraced both the challenge and the moment.

Preparation for such a high-stakes meet requires intense focus and effort. "It was hard," Gavin admitted, but he credits his success to a well-structured training plan. "I worked very closely with Coach Krupa, our head cross-country coach, to prepare for a meet like this." His regimen included early morning runs, cross-training, and building the mental toughness needed to perform at his best.

For Gavin, success has been a team effort. He highlighted the incredible growth of his team over the years, saying, "When I joined as a freshman, we were just six runners, and there weren’t any girls on the team. Now, we’re 30 strong, running two full teams and competing in major meets like NYSAIS." He also expressed gratitude for his teammates and coaches, emphasizing the camaraderie and encouragement that defined his experience.

One moment stood out to Gavin during his race: hearing his teammate Santiago cheer him on from the backwoods of the course. "It’s inspiring to see others excited about a sport I love so much," he said.

Gavin also stressed the importance of balance, including recovery and nutrition, as key to his success. "You have to listen to your body and make time for rest," he noted, underscoring the value of a holistic approach to training.

His advice to younger athletes? "Stay consistent and never underestimate the power of a strong support system."

Congratulations to Gavin for his outstanding achievement and for proudly representing our community at Federations!