Feb. 5, 2014: The Bronxville Middle School squash team sent the largest team in the country to the U.S. Middle School Team Championships held at Yale University the weekend of January 31 and didn't come away empty-handed. With 57 teams participating, Bronxville placed in the top five in the country in three of the five divisions--Boys' I, Girls' I, and Girls' II--holding their own against the long-established national squash powerhouses that usually dominate the event. The team, coached by Tertius Raubenheimer with help from Ajaz Azmat from the Bronxville Field Club and Gillian Garzia from The Bronxville School, fielded six teams across four of the five divisions.

The Boys A team had a great result in Division I, finishing fourth to improve on last year's twelfth-place finish, despite being the youngest team in the field. The team was led by returning seventh grader Tyler Mackesy, and the remaining four roster spots were filled by sixth graders Harry Charlton, Conner Stoltz, Sam Charlton, and Coulter Mackesy. The squad fell in the semifinals to first-seed and eventual national champion Haverford.

Following close behind, the Girls A team came in fifth in the Girls' I Division, beating Greenwich Country Day School in its final match 5-0. This team included McKenna Stoltz, Julia Curran, Pippa Fraser, Hadley Barr, and Lyric Abbott. This is only the second year that the Bronxville girls have fielded their own team, so the coaches were very pleased with the result.

Amy Charlton, one of the parent coordinators for the team, noted that Bronxville is the only public school in the top ten of the boys' or girls' divisions. "We are competing with the top Philadelphia, Boston, and tristate-area private schools that are the traditional squash powerhouses. The boys' and girls' teams are young, with the majority of players returning next year, so 2015 should be another great year of success for both."

In a testament to the strength of the Bronxville program, both the Boys B and Girls B teams had to compete in Division I as well. After losing in the first round, the Girls B team battled its way back to the finals of the consolations, losing to Germantown Friends, to finish tenth. This team roster included Lindsey Cruikshank, Charlotte Cagliostro, Anneke Pulkkinen, Helen Noone, and Sophie Cappello. The Boys B roster of Jackson Freed, Justin Barr, Sam Abukhadra, Charlie Preusse, Sasha Capasso, and James Millard unfortunately had to face the second-seeded Brunswick in its first match and Haverford B (a consolation finalist) in its second match. Nevertheless, the team managed to win both its remaining matches, which put it in thirteenth place in Division I.

The Boys C team came in eleventh in Division II, one place better than the Boys B team did last year, an amazing result given the influx of new teams this year. This team consisted of returning players Sean Curran, Zeke Blauner, and Charlie Gay, as well as new additions William Murphy, Connor Morris, and Dan Casperson.

Last, but certainly not least, was the Bronxville Girls C team, which captured second place in the finals of the Girls' II Division. The team nearly took it all but then lost in the finals 2-3 to Bala Cynwyd/Welsh Valley, a combination of two Merion, PA, public middle schools. The team was led by three eighth graders, Ava Austi, Devin Portner, and Kiki Shinsato, and was filled out by Paige Duffy and Molly Stoltz, who both stepped in at the last minute to complete the roster when other team members were unable to attend. Gillian Garzia, who coached the Girls C, commented, "It was very exciting to coach the Girls C team this year. The girls were extremely dedicated, motivated, and receptive to feedback. Their commitment to perform their best resulted in us taking second place in the division. I am beyond proud of everyone and look forward to next year!"

Overall, all the teams had a great experience and the weekend was a success in many ways. Most important, the squash team has been a great opportunity for squash enthusiasts, from the nationally ranked to the novice, to participate in a team format for a sport that normally is very individually focused. Coach Tertius Raubenheimer commented, "I thought the teams fought hard and played really well. The level of sportsmanship was great to see and having plenty of parents and supporters at the venue made all the difference." Jen Mackesy, the overall coordinator of the middle school squash program, also added that the program's success would not have been possible without the dedication of the squash coaches, the parent volunteers, and the support of the athletic department of The Bronxville School.

Pictured here (rotating): Bronxville Middle School squash teams: Boys A, Boys B, Boys C, girls' team, and Girls C with coach Garzia and trophies.