BOYS SQUASH

WINDSOR, CT--Choate Squash kicked off the season by winning two matches against talented opponents. The Wild Boars traveled to Loomis Chaffee to play against both the host school and Tabor Academy, who made the long trip from Cape Cod. As the close scores would indicate, both showdowns pitted fairly evenly matched teams against each other. In both results, the decisive difference was Choate's depth. The bottom four CRH players went undefeated, losing just three games in eight matches. Of particular note was Bobby Dearington's five-set victory over Tabor's John Devon: Bobby lost the first two games of the match before storming back to take the final three games in decisive fashion. "It was great to win these first two matches, given the trouble we had with both of these teams last winter," reported Coach Will Morris. "Today's wins were wonderful team efforts, but we've got a long season ahead, starting with Brunswick next week."

LAKEVILLE, CT--On the first of three long road trips, the Blue and Gold defeated Hotchkiss 6-1 in Lakeville, Connecticut. The matches were played in Hotchkiss's brand new gymnasium. The Boars played very well up and down the ladder, winning 3-0 over their less-experienced opponents. Hotchkiss's lone victory came at number 1, where Tom McKay defeated Patrick Phelan in three tightly-contested games. While the scores might not indicate it, Pat and Tom had long rallies with some spectacular shots and digs. In the end, Tom's consistency won the day. "It's always nice to be able to come home from a long trip successful," said Coach Morris, "but our next trip, up to Boston, will be even more of a challenge."

BELMONT, MA--Choate lost two matches in Boston this weekend, losing 1-6 to both Andover and Belmont Hill. It was a day of calamities that started with a fire alarm in Wallingford and ended with a 10:30 return to campus later that night. In between, the Choate team logged 250 miles of travel, endured a second fire drill at the Belmont Gym, and managed the hectic four-match schedule (Westminster also played Andover and Belmont Hill!). Highlights from this match included Ed Mestre's two wins at number 7, and amazing five-game matches from Mark Goldberg, Ed Bryan and Mike Gelinas. "We lost the long matches today, and to be honest I think we were all just a little overwhelmed by it all," said Coach Morris. "It'll be nice to be back home for a match against Greens Farms on Monday."

WALLINGFORD, CT--The Wild Boars held their own today against Greens Farms Academy, winning the match 5-2. In the first matches on court, Choate won convincingly at 2, 6, 8, and 9. Ed Mestre continued his unbeaten Varsity season, while Nick Cobbett dispatched his opponent after a challenging first game. In their first Varsity matches, Mac Bartels and Abraham Chiang provided two exhibition match wins, which unfortunately did not count towards the match score. Meanwhile, in the number 4 match, Mike Gelinas had his hands full with Adam Davies. After trading the first two games, Mike won the tough third game before seeing the match slip away in the fifth. With the second round of matches on court, Choate held onto a slim 2-1 match lead, but once again the bottom of the ladder came through in the clutch. Mark Goldberg and Bobby Dearington both cruised to smooth wins, sealing the match for the Boars. Pat Phelan had his hands full with Grant Picarillo, and despite some fantastic rallies and long points, Grant took the match. In the last match of the evening, Ed Bryan played his best squash when it counted, winning in the fifth game. "We've been on the road a lot lately, so it was nice to be home for this match. The team played well," said Coach Morris. "One more road trip, then we get our anticipated long weekend arrives!"

RYE, NY--Missing an ailing #1 player, the Wild Boars dropped a heartbreaker to Rye Country Day.