Men's Squash: Underclassmen spark sweep

“The match ended up being pretty quick, with most matches finishing in around 20 minutes,” freshman Chris Callis said. “Being that it was so short, the match felt a little odd and anti-climatic. I guess this was a good thing because everyone got out and made sure to stay focused.”

Playing only freshmen and sophomores, Princeton pummeled the Diplomats 9-0 in Lancaster, Pa. The Tigers did not drop a single game against Franklin & Marshall, let alone an individual match, as nine of the 27 games ended in 9-0 sweeps. With Callis playing the first spot in the lineup ahead of sophomore David Letourneau, who was last year’s Ivy League Rookie of the Year and an All-America selection, head coach Bob Callahan ’77’s squad of racqueteers continued to exhibit its depth. The ordering was no slight to Letourneau, however, as he dispatched Diplomat Chris Gagnier 9-2, 9-2, 9-4.

Callis dispatched Sadiq Madraswala handily. It is a testament to Callis’ dominance that, in a sport where nine points are required to take a game, Madraswala won only seven points across the three games of Callis’ sweep. Callis and Madraswala have met before, and that experience was pivotal to the former’s success.

“It would have been easy to come in overconfident, especially without our upperclassmen to keep us grounded, but we had all had enough experience between the group and kept each other focused,” Callis said. “My match was pretty straightforward, as I knew my opponent because I had played him before in high school. He was definitely a solid player and a good fellow, but I stayed consistent and tried not to make too many mistakes.”

The Princeton men were quick to point out that they still made mistakes in their decisive victory. Though they protected their perfect season — the Tigers are now 3-0 haven’t dropped an individual match — the players still strive to improve with every outing. This search for perfection, coupled with an acknowledgment of imperfection, indicates the team’s maturity. Despite their self-effacing rhetoric, the Tigers make it clear they still hunger for more.

“I thought last night was a terrific evening for the freshmen and sophomores. I thought it would be valuable and enjoyable for them to have their own road trip and play as a unit,” Callahan said. “Even though it is a very tough time academically, and everyone is stressed out, they all competed well and represented Princeton beautifully.”

While this match hearkened back to the years when freshmen were required to play on freshmen-only teams, the Tigers’ four rookies did not show any signs of nervousness. Kelly Shannon won 9-1, 9-3, 9-0; Jesus Pena 9-1, 9-5, 9-1; and Clay Blackinson 9-3, 9-0 and 9-0. Callahan’s decision to test his youngest players paid off handsomely, as it was a spectacular debut for the Class of 2012 that showcased Princeton’s strong foundation for the future.

Playing the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth spots on the ladder, the sophomores also cleaned up. Holding down the fourth and sixth positions, Peter and Philip Sopher did not allow more than five points in any game. Ed Casserly and Nikhil Seth also won efficiently, with neither allowing more than four points.

The Tigers travel north for the rest of their December road trip. This weekend they tackle Brown, Williams and Bowdoin in quick succession. After holding down the fort for the week, Princeton’s underclassmen will welcome back their junior and senior counterparts.