By the end of the season, the KO middle school A squash team achieved a record of 5-3, which kept their morale high during the season and gave many players the chance to improve their skills.
The team never gave up and always tried their best in whatever skill they were working on at the time.
From practice to games, they never stopped trying to improve. “They showed a lot of resilience and the ability to adapt to whatever they were doing,” Assistant Coach Samatha Cassidy said, reflecting on the season. When each player competed against the more challenging teams, they did their best. “I think they played their best during the tournament that we played in,” Coach Cassidy said. “They did really well because they had to adjust to the skill levels of the teams and it was a long tournament.”
Eighth-grader Co-captain Elliot Shani said being a captain didn’t feel different from just being a player. However, he and the other eighth-grader Co-captain Ignacio Feged had the honor of introducing the team before matches. This was Shani’s second year on A squash.
This year, the top four spots on the ladder were filled by seventh-grader Rayyan Haider at number one, Feged at number two, seventh-grader Cole Banning at number three, and sixth-grader Jack Krieble at number four. Only one of the top four players will be moving past the KO middle school squash team. Robby Lingashi, boys varsity and JV squash coach, is also the head coach of the KO middle school squash team. “Coach Robby really helped me improve my shots and my game,” Haider said.
Feged also sang Coach Lingashi’s praises. “He’s a good coach and has helped us improve this season,” Feged said. Since both Co-captains are leaving this year, next year’s team will require new leaders. “I feel like I’m just going to try to help anyone on the team out when they need it and I’ll try to be as good of a leader as Ignacio was and his Co-captain Elliot,” Haider said. Many people have enjoyed playing on this team, and interested athletes should consider trying out for squash. “I hope lots of people come to try out next year,” Coach Cassidy said.
