Sixteen teams competed in the first ever National Middle School Championships, February 1st-3rd, at Yale University in New Haven. Noting the rise in participation at the U.S. High School Team Championships from 16 teams in its first year, to 94 this season, the Middle School Nationals further highlights the core growth of junior squash and the excitement of team play. Middle school teams made up of 5 players competed in a round robin format in three divisions over the two day event—Boys A, Boys B and girls A.
Germantown Friends Middle School made the most of their trip from the Philadelphia area, emerging undefeated in the Boys A draw, including a scintillating 3-2 victory over the previously unbeaten Brunswick A (Greenwich , CT) squad in the weekend’s final match, clinching the national title.
In the Boys B division, Brunswick was unscathed in their march to the winner’s circle, outdistancing Bronxville (NY) Middle School, which captured second place.
In the Girls draw, Greenwich Academy’s A team took home the crown over neighboring Greenwich Country Day School.
The real winner of the weekend was the sport of squash, as the majority of participating juniors got their first sense of the fun and camaraderie that is the hallmark of team squash.