Gilman sweeps St. Paul’s, claims fifth consecutive squash title
Greyhounds have not only made a habit of winning championships, they do it in dominant fashion
by Nelson Coffin
Winning championships has become a healthy habit that the Gilman School squash squad heartily embraces.
The Greyhounds’ addiction to success played out again Thursday night at the Coppermine Racquet & Fitness Club - Bare Hills in a 7-0 sweep of St. Paul’s School.
The victory secured Gilman’s fourth straight title since the 2020 season was lost to the pandemic, and fifth consecutive crown. The Greyhounds now own 15 of the 17 league banners since the sport made its MIAA debut in the 2007-08 campaign.
Gilman coach Doug DeSmit said that his players don’t take anything for granted.
“We don’t know the meaning of complacency,” he said. “We have players who are willing to work hard and have the mindset of playing to their highest potential. They try to play above themselves.”
That approach was all too real for the young Crusaders to overcome while extending only one match beyond the third game when freshman Howdy Colhoun topped senior Brennan DiGiovanni, 11-5, in the second game to knot their match at 1-1.
In the championship, Gilman prevailed, 3-0, in every other match on the way to a 7-0 verdict.
It started with No. 1 player Jacob Li knocking off St. Paul’s sophomore Keenan McPhail followed by Gilman senior Parker Davis Jr. doing the same to sophomore Colin Faulkner-MacDonagh.
Then it was Gilman junior Matthew Chi’s turn to shine in a win over junior Ashton Seeman before sophomore Jack Paternotte blanked St. Paul's senior George Croft.
Senior Drew Fones was the next Gilman winner, downing freshman Carter Holland ahead of Greyhound sophomore Rohan Jari’s triumph over sophomore Tyler Hyle.
St. Paul’s young lineup was in stark contrast to Gilman’s veteran bunch who boasted five seniors, all of whom have been with the program during what DeSmit called its “best four-year stretch ever. Our players come in with a winning mindset and a legacy of past years’ success instilled in each of them.”
The Crusaders, specifically, and the league, in general, seem to be in a good place — and getting better, DeSmit said.
“What I saw from St. Paul’s this season, it looks like they’re on their way. And In most schools, they have a full JV and varsity,” he said. The coaching is the best I’ve ever seen in the league. All the schools are putting their best foot forward.”
However, at least for another year, the rest of the league is looking up at Gilman.
Li, a co-captain with Davis and a Hamilton College commit, said the Greyhounds, who have been the “top dog in the MIAA,” are proud to defend their title again.
“The way the lower guys on the ladder challenged the upper guys is really important,” he said. “That really helped to keep us hungry and focused.”
Davis, headed to Bates College in the fall, also pointed to the ladder challenges as a major asset.
“It’s obviously important to us as seniors to win the championship.” he said. “I am just really proud of how focused everybody was and how well everyone did their job.”