Squash Stars Shine Bright on MASC Teams: A Season to Remember
LANCASTER, Pa. – As the squash season wraps up, the Franklin & Marshall men’s and women’s squash programs are basking in the glory of outstanding performances. With a stellar campaign behind them, four talented players have been recognized on the All-Middle Atlantic Squash Conference (MASC) teams, and an impressive 11 student-athletes earned All-Academic accolades. Let’s dive into the details of these remarkable achievements.
Celebrating All-MASC Selections
Men’s Highlights
Kyle Broadhurst, a name that has become synonymous with excellence in the squash world, repeated his First-team All-MASC honor for the second consecutive year. This season, he racked up 11 wins from the pivotal No. 1 position for the Diplomats. Notably, Broadhurst secured a critical victory against No. 11 Williams, triumphing over their top player in four decisive games. His performance continued to shine at the College Squash Association (CSA) Team National Championships, winning two of three critical matches.
Next up is Sharan Punjabi, whose persistence paid off as he achieved Second-team All-MASC honors for a second year. With 15 wins primarily in the No. 2 and No. 3 slots, Punjabi exhibited his potential with a thrilling 3-2 victory over No. 5 Virginia on February 7, capping a five-match winning streak that illuminated January.
Completing the men’s achievements is Marco DiFilippo, an outstanding athlete whose consistency earned him Second-team All-MASC recognition for the third straight year. After securing 13 wins mainly in the No. 2 and No. 3 matches, DiFilippo finished strong, claiming six victories in his last eight matches, including a sweep over No. 15 Colby. He concluded his collegiate career on a high note, achieving two victories in the CSA Team National Championships.
Women’s Highlights
On the women’s side, Gurlin Kaur claimed Second-team All-MASC honors for the second consecutive year, tallying eight wins from the challenging No. 1 position. Kaur not only excelled in individual matches but also made waves in the Holleran East Consolation bracket, earning a victory over her opponent from Amherst. She capped off her season with a five-match winning streak and an unblemished 3-0 record in the CSA Team National Championships.
Academic Excellence: MASC All-Academic Teams
Both teams proved that they are not just athletes but also scholars. The MASC All-Academic teams saw the men’s squad represented by six selections, while the women’s side featured five honorees. The men’s honorees included:
The stellar performers from the women’s team included:
Season Wrap-Up
The Franklin & Marshall men’s squash team concluded the season ranked No. 15 with a commendable 15-7 record, while the women’s team finished at No. 22 with a 7-13 overall record. These rankings and distinctions reflect not only the athletes’ skills on the court but also their commitment to academic excellence.
As we celebrate the incredible achievements of these student-athletes, it’s clear that their hard work and dedication have set a strong foundation for the future of squash at Franklin & Marshall. Here’s to another exciting season ahead!
