in the National Intercollegiate Squash Racquets Association rankings despite having to compete against Trinity, Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University, the top-four schools in the country. Amherst also managed a second place finish in the Little III Tournament, in the process defeating Wesleyan University 6-3 before falling to Williams.
This year's squash team maintains its 14th position in the national rankings, despite the graduation of last year's captain and number one player, Addison West '01, who ended last season as the nation's 31st best collegiate squash player. With the help of an experienced coach, upperclass leadership,and many new freshmen, the Jeffs are poised to make a serious run in the rankings. Co-captain Carlo Valdesolo '03, last year's number two player, will likely assume both West's position and leadership role.
Other returning players expected to play a significant role on this year's squad are co-captain John Holodnak '03, David Bauer '03 and Asad Haque '04. Other returning starters on the team include Roger Boulay '03 and John Brody '02, the only senior on the team and a returning NISRA Scholar-Athlete.
But perhaps the key to the Jeffs' aspirations lies with the seven freshmen who have joined the team. Two of the new freshmen, Michael Strong and Gifford Sommerkamp, are nationally ranked players who will compete for Head Coach Peter Robson's top positions. Other freshmen, including Brian Lawrence and Ted Platt, could make notable contributions to this year's team.
Practicing with Robson since Nov. 1-although captains' practices began a few months before-the team is already looking strong. "So far, practices are going well and the team is looking better than last year," said Sommerkamp. "Although we lost a key player, Addison West, this year we have several freshmen, which should give the team a boost."
The individual positions are still being set from the intrasquad matches played thus far and few final decisions have been made as to the team's precise composition as of now.
The men's first game will be against 20th ranked Tufts University on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at Harvard. Their first home match will be against Vassar College on Wednesday, Dec. 5th. The team's season ends this year on Mar. 3 at the National Individual Championships at Princeton.
If Valdesolo, Bauer and Holodnak can anchor the team while the younger players develop, Robson will hopefully be in command of a talented squad that will be able to hold their own against some of the best teams in the nation.