Squash squad steps up

The men’s squash team is poised for a turnaround performance this year, after a disappointing campaign last season when it finished with a 6-13 record, sixth in the conference. With the entire squad returning and the addition of 4 freshmen, the Cards are ready to use their experience and bounce back in 2007-2008.

“Last year ended on a bit of a somber note,” said Benjie Messinger-Barnes ’09, one of the team’s co-captains. “We went 1-2 at the team’s national tournament. Overall, it was a bit of a disappointing season.”

As a result, the Cards have a lot of regrets for what they could have accomplished.

“I don’t think we played to the best of our abilities,” Messinger-Barnes added. “We suffered two big late losses to Northwestern and Middlebury, two teams that we know we could have beaten.”

Wesleyan is ready to put last year’s shortcomings behind them, however, and focus on improving for the current campaign. These sentiments are evident from the stance that one of their captains, Messinger-Barnes, has taken in preparing for the new year.

“That’s done with now,” he said optimistically. “We’re really excited for the upcoming season.”

With the return of every starter from the 2006-2007 season, the Cards have every reason to be optimistic. In addition to the veteran talent, Messinger-Barnes is very excited about the incoming freshman class, who appear to be filled with ability.

“We’ve got some real great talent in the freshman class with four [new] players, including Saint Anne’s Matt Candal, who currently plays #2 for Wes squash, ” he said.

The combination of returning starters and talented freshman bodes well not just for this upcoming season, but also for the future of Wesleyan squash.

“With all this new talent, and a bunch of players returning from abroad over winter break, things are really looking good,” said Messinger-Barnes. “[And] not only for this year, but for years to come.”

While the Cards appear to be stacked with individual talent, they are also led by a more than capable coach, Shona Kerr, now entering her third year at Wesleyan.

“[Kerr] has done a great job recruiting top-notch players, which really adds to our success, making it possible to recruit even better players, and so the cycle goes,” Messinger-Barnes said.

Filled with confidence, the Cards will open their season this Saturday, Nov. 17 when they travel to Northeastern University to face the host squad, as well as Northwestern.