Men's Squash: Trio set to lead team one final time

The senior tri-captains of the men’s squash team have certainly achieved an impressive slate of goals during their four years at Princeton. Perhaps most impressively, they have led the No. 2 Tigers to four consecutive Ivy League titles.

Head coach Bob Callahan ’77 recognizes the integral role that the trio has played during the past four years.

“They really have been the core of the team and the guys we depend on,” Callahan said. “They have accomplished things that no other Princeton men’s squash team has in terms of titles. It’s hard to overestimate how much of a difference they have made to our team.”

Sanchez, who has competed at the No. 1 spot this season, noted that the recipe for success is the camaraderie that he shares with his teammates both on and off the court.

“The seniors on the team are really close,” Sanchez said. “The team has a real chemistry this year, which I think is quite visible when we play our matches.”

As successful as they have been in competition, the relationship that the three seniors have established may be even more important. Sanchez and El Halaby’s paths crossed before they even reached Princeton. While attending the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, N.J., for a post-graduate year, the two led their high school squad to a 2005 national championship.

No. 6 El Halaby said he agrees with Sanchez about the importance of being close to his teammates.

“Kim and Mau are the first two I talk to if I need anything,” El Halaby said. “I’ve been on a team with Mau since our year at Lawrenceville, and I feel like I’ve known Kim my whole life.”

When Sanchez and El Halaby donned their Tiger uniforms, they picked up where they left off, with the talented Wong joining the mix. After graduating from the Wycliffe School in England in 2004, Wong, who has played at the No. 2 spot this season, spent a year with the Malaysian National Team before matriculating at Princeton.

When Wong met Sanchez and El Halaby, he immediately felt a connection with his newfound friends.

“We are all very tight, and we are definitely friends before teammates,” Wong said. “It wouldn’t be the same if someone was missing.”

As freshmen, it became immediately evident that the trio would become a formidable threat on the squash court. Wong and El Halaby both collected second-team All-America and first-team All-Ivy accolades during their freshmen seasons, while Sanchez earned first-team honors in both categories. Sanchez also claimed the title of Ivy League Rookie of the Year.

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During their sophomore seasons, the three continued with their solid performances. Sanchez lived up to his Rookie of the Year status with Player of the Year honors. He went 11-1 at the No. 1 spot in an attempt to fill the void left by his teammate’s brother, squash phenom Yasser El Halaby ’06. Following in his older brother’s footsteps, Hesham also fared well, picking up All-America and All-Ivy awards. Wong picked up the same accolades as the younger El Halaby.

Their junior seasons proved that success breeds more success: Sanchez claimed Ivy League Player of the Year honors yet again, while El Halaby and Wong also added to their collection of all-Ivy praises.

Their polished careers, however, have not been without tough moments and challenges. Last season, Sanchez lost to the eventual 2008 national champion, Trinity’s Baset Chaudhry, during the Bantams’ 10th straight national title run. As a junior, Sanchez also lost to Chaudhry in a regular season matchup at Trinity, which the Tigers ultimately lost 6-3.

This season, Sanchez got his sweet revenge on Chaudhry, defeating him in an exciting five-game struggle last Saturday at Jadwin Gymnasium. Overall, however, Princeton lost the match by a score of 5-4.

Though his team dropped last weekend’s match to the Bantams, Sanchez said he thinks the Tigers can fight back.

“Hopefully the highlight of my entire career will be winning the National Championships this Sunday at Jadwin Gym C floor,” Sanchez said.

El Halaby and Wong have also encountered defeats in their time as Tigers, but they have proven time and time again that their contributions to Princeton’s four straight Ancient Eight title runs are invaluable. El Halaby clinched this season’s Ivy title in a one-match victory over Harvard on Feb. 8.

While the pair lost to their respective Trinity opponents in last weekend’s matchup, El Halaby said he remains confident that Princeton can pick up the pieces.

“Last weekend showed how close both teams are,” El Halaby said. “It was a tough match that they managed to get away with during the last shift. We are determined to be as prepared as we possibly can for nationals.”

Wong is also aspiring to the national crown.

“The highlight of my Princeton career [would] be this weekend after winning the team nationals,” Wong said.

This weekend, the men’s squash team prepares to potentially take on the Bantams in the national championship with hopes of overthrowing a titan that has won 199 straight matches. Though the outcome of this possible matchup is yet to be determined, one thing is certain: When the cosmopolitan trio is competing, Princeton always has a fighting chance.