Princeton restocks with top freshmen

Traveling will be a major theme for the No. 2 ranked men's squash team this season, a trend that began before the team ever squared off against a collegiate opponent. The Tigers just returned from a competitive trip in Egypt — the home country of junior Hesham El Halaby and his four-time National Individual Champion brother Yasser El Halaby '06.

"We took 19 players and played the best players in Egypt, which is the strongest squash power in the world, and toured Cairo seeing the pyramids, Sphinx and many other sites, along with two days sightseeing in Luxor," head coach Bob Callahan said. "We had some great practices and matches, which gave us a great kick-start to the season."

Unfortunately for Princeton squash fans, the traveling does not stop at intercontinental globetrotting. The Tigers play only four of 13 scheduled matches in the friendly confines of Jadwin Gym. During the 17-day climax of the season, the Tigers will play Trinity, Harvard, Yale and the team National Championships, but only the Yale game will happen at home.

"Home matches are always more preferable, however, we are an experienced team, so I don't think being away will be a big concern," junior KimLee Wong said.

If there is a team that can handle such a grueling and intense schedule, it will be this year's squad. The Tigers are returning three first-team All-Americans: El-Halaby, Wong and junior Mauricio Sanchez. Only perennial squash powerhouse Trinity, who will return four All-Americans, brings more star-power back to its squad. All three Tigers are ranked in the top four individuals in the country.

While Princeton returns national championship level talent at the top of the ladder, it also has the challenge of replacing almost half its roster, having graduated four key seniors. But it appears an excellent freshman class is poised to step into the gap. David Letourneau, one of the top-ranked junior squash players in North America, heads another top recruiting class for Callahan, who is entering his 26th season at the helm. With senior captains Tom McKay and Ben Bascom providing veteran leadership, the Tigers look ready for a record book season. Their first home match will be against Franklin and Marshall on Nov. 29.

Primed to Repeat

Coming off a national championship season, the No. 1 women's team appears primed to repeat as National Champion, even with the loss of four starting players.

"Being defending champs definitely gives us a different outlook on the season. We are going into it confident, but know we are going to have to work very hard if we want to repeat," senior captain Carly Grabowski said. "Winning the national championship was one of the most incredible things you can experience as a team. You realize that all of your training has helped you reach the ultimate goal." Grabowski is also a Daily Princetonian staff writer.

Indeed, "work very hard" might be an understatement. The grueling off-season workout schedule leads one to believe that the women do not feel content with last season's triumph.

Having graduated Claire Rein-Weston '07, an All-American and Von Keinbusch Award Winner, an award presented to Princeton's top female athlete, and second-team All-American Ali Pearson, the team could be reeling from the loss. But the team does not lack in senior leadership or raw talent. Tri-captains Grawboski, senior Margaret Kent and senior Casey Riley provide crafty veteran experience and mental toughness to the young squad.

The team still returns sophomore All-American Neha Kumar and two second-team All-America selections in sophomore Amanda Seibert and Riley. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Reilly has been battling serious injuries this year.

With so many new faces, the tri-captains and head coach Gail Ramsay, who enters her 13th year at the helm, will be introducing several new players into the mix. Similar to the men's side, the women have added three top-ranked freshmen – Jackie Moss, Nikki Sequeira and Julia Weigel. Yet perhaps the greatest recruiting prize will be sophomore Emery Maine. Also on the women's lacrosse team, Emery Maine was a superior junior squash player and has been projected to play in the top five of the women's lineup, adding an unexpected challenge for Princeton's rivals.