HARTFORD, Conn., February
28, 2002 – Trinity College’s men’s and women’s squash teams are in
the unusual position of holding national titles at the same time.
Each team captured their respective national championship this
month. Both Bantam teams were
ranked number one going into the team national championships.
The men’s team won their fourth consecutive Potter Trophy on
Sunday, February 24. The
victory capped off a 19-0 season.
The women won the Howe Cup, their first national title, on February
17. This was their
first-ever, perfect season with a record of 11-0.
Team members come from the four-corners of the globe to compete at
Trinity College. The
women’s team includes members from England, Malaysia, Zimbabwe, and
Canada. On the men’s side Botswana, Singapore, South Africa,
Bermuda and Canada are represented. But
what is even more impressive are the results the teams produced in
conjunction with their American teammates.
Co-captain Lefika Ragontse, a senior from Botswana, credits Coach
Paul Assaiante with creating a team atmosphere where egos are checked at
the door. “He puts the team
first.” Assaiante, in his
eighth season as Trinity’s men’s coach, has amassed a record of 129
wins and 10 losses.
Last year,
Wendy Bartlett, who is in her 18th year of coaching the
women’s team, came away
from the Howe Cup empty handed, but vowed to win it in 2002. “We
accomplished a huge goal this year. We
knew we could do it and have worked for this moment for past two
seasons.”
Both men
and women team members will be competing in the individual championships
coming up in March.
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