NCHS Boys Varsity Squash Finds Success at Nationals in Philadelphia

NCHS Boys Varsity Squash A and B teams traveled to Philadelphia, PA February 7 - 9 to participate in the 2014 US High School Team Squash Championships - one of the largest squash tournaments in the country.  Over 80 schools with more than 140 teams competed in six divisions(boys) and four divisions (girls).   The Rams competed at University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square and Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia.  Varsity A won third place in Division III.  Varsity B secured victory in the classic plate play-off, placing 7th overall in Division V.
This represents an extremely strong finish for the Rams players.  Each team sent 8 players which included an alternate.  Varsity A included (in order of ranking on the team): Grayson Bubrosky, Killian Bubrosky, Hal Holappa, Christian Megherby, Andreas Kjekstad (Manager), Kyle Finnican, Sam Havens, and Charlie Kallassy.  Varsity B included (in order of team ranking): co-captain Henry Greer, co-captain Will Gruseke, Teddy Holappa, Erik Burns, JP Sloan, Alex Smith, Dylan Brennan, and Sean Berry. Teams needed to win the best of 7 matches.  Team A was coached by former top Trinity College player Reinhold Hergeth and Team B was coached by parent volunteer, and former top Yale University player, Tim Greer.
Varsity A began the tournament with a strong win over Nichols School of 5 - 2.  Of note, Killian Bubrosky dominated Leyton Johnston 11-8, 11-7, 11- 6 and Kyle Finnican edged out Andrew Wolney in an intense match 7-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9.In the quarterfinals, NCHS played Shipley School, winning 5-2.  Noteworthy match ups included Sam Havens against Michael Schwartz with Sam getting the win at 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 and Christian Megherby defeating Ethan Bradlow 7-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-6.  Andreas Kjekstad fought hard but lost against David Litner with a very close match that included 3 tie-breakers: 11-6, 10-12, 8-11, 19-17, 15-13.  The Rams were matched with Phillips Academy in the semi-finals but lost 3-4.  Grayson Bubrosky defeated Michael Huang 11-9, 11-6, 15-13.  There were also victories by Killian Bubrosky and Christian Megherby.  
In the 3/4 Play-Off, the Rams were victorious, defeating William Penn Charter School 4-3.  Of note was an extremely tight match between Hal Holappa and Noah Hollin with Hal getting the win 7-11, 11-3, 7-11, 12-10, 11-5.  Then with the two teams tied at 3-3, Christian Megherby played Aquinas Crofton and secured the victory 6-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-4.
Varsity B played their first match against Friends School JV and won handily 6-1.  Highlights: Will Gruseke defeated Eli Loeb 12-10, 6-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9 in a very close match.  Alex Smith beat Dylan Coiro 11-8, 11-5, 6-11, 6-11, 11-7.  Henry Greer defeated Katherine Galambos 11-6, 11-5, 12-10. Erik Burns outplayed Samuel Johnson to win 8-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-4.  In the quarterfinals, the Rams played Malvern Prep and lost 1-6.  Dylan Brennan secured the sole win against Thomas White 11-8, 11-7, 13-11.  The team moved on to the Classic Plate semi-finals against Belmont Hill School B and was defeated 2-5.  A noteworthy match included JP Sloan vs. David Yellen with JP winning 11-3, 4-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-3.  In the Classic Plate Play-off the Rams defeated St. Joseph Prep 4-3.  Of note, Teddy Holappa edged out Thomas Prim 8-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7.