On Tap with ... Clay Blackiston

Junior clay blackiston has established himself as a key member of the No. 3 men’s squash team. Last year Blackiston went 4-1 in the Ivy League, which included a 3-0 win at Harvard. He only had three losses, two of which were against No. 1 Trinity.  This season he has won both his matches against Cornell and Franklin & Marshall in three games.

Q: What was your “welcome to college” moment?

A: In precept freshman fall, for the first paper for my religion class, I asked the preceptor whether we needed a thesis. Everyone looked at me like I was still in grade school.

Q: What is the greatest highlight of your sports career?

A: Winning my first tournament when I was 15. I didn’t win by a lot, but it was such a great feeling to win a match.

Q: Who is your quirkiest teammate?

A: Senior Nikhil Seth, because half of what he says is a lie and you never know when he is messing with you.

Q: What is the best part about being an athlete on campus?

A: I have something to do other than work from 4:30 to 7:30. It is also great to get exercise every day during the squash season.

Q: What is the worst part about being an athlete on campus?

A: Missing out on what other people do during the week when we have to go away for tournaments, such as going out. Also, when there are speakers and events at 5:00 and we cannot go because of practice. We are also always late to dinner and therefore get everyone else’s scraps.

Q: What is your least favorite thing about squash?

A: Doing fitness. You have to be in good shape to be a squash player. The fact is that you cannot be overweight and good at squash.

Q: If you were your coach for a day, what would you do?

A: I would do all match play all practice instead of drills and fitness.

Q: Does the team have any odd rituals?

A: The team itself does not have any odd rituals, but senior Peter Sopher sleeps in the locker room before matches.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not practicing?

A: Sit in my room with my computer and do nothing. I love to stumble upon funny websites, and sometimes I watch movies.

Q: What music inspires you?

A: Definitely Eminem.

Q: What is the best part about playing a sport that has an individual aspect and a group aspect?

A: I like that I am directly accountable for my results. It is all or nothing. I either did my part or I didn’t. But in the end, the result that matters is the team’s result. Instead of in a group sport where I wasn’t necessarily accountable for the win or the loss, I am in some way personally accountable for the team’s win or loss.