Looking back on this year’s Boys Varsity Squash season, I couldn’t be more proud of how every member of this team showed up—not just competitively, but in the way they carried themselves and supported one another through every challenge the season brought. The schedule was tough, and we met it head-on. Over 14 matches, we went 6-8, but that record only tells part of the story. Time and again, matches came down to the wire—multiple 4-3 results that swung on a single game—and our boys were right there, competing to the very end. The ability to perform under pressure in close matches is something that can’t be coached overnight, and this group showed it repeatedly.
The season’s high point came at the U.S. Squash High School Nationals Tournament, where the team made its mark on a national stage. Cam Cozad ’27 was nothing short of exceptional, earning the Most Valuable Player at Nationals honors with a performance that stood out from start to finish. His composure, consistency, and ability to deliver when it mattered most was a genuine highlight of the year. A season is not a success without strong leadership, and this year we had it in abundance. Captains Zach Withington ’26, Bruce Elvin ’28, and Jonathan Weiss ’27 brought a level of commitment and steadiness that set the tone for everyone else. Through wins and through losses, they kept the group focused and moving forward.
Individual contributions across the roster were equally worth celebrating. Withington was named Most Valuable Player, an honor he earned through sheer performance, toughness in difficult matches, and the kind of positive presence that elevates everyone around him. Withington also received the Oliver Langenberg Squash Award, recognizing not only his achievements on the court but also his commitment to excellence in the classroom. It’s a fitting tribute to everything he has represented as a student-athlete at MICDS.
Nolan Ma ’28 earned Most Improved Player honors, and it was well-deserved. The strides Ma made this season came from relentless work and a willingness to push through the uncomfortable parts of getting better. His growth was visible to everyone who watched this team. Hayden Dembiec ’29 had a season that turned heads in multiple ways, taking home both the Hardest Worker and Coaches Award. For a freshman, the maturity and effort Dembiec brought to every practice and every match were remarkable. He worked tirelessly, competed without reservation, and was the kind of teammate that makes everyone around him better, exactly the qualities this program values most.
This year was a reminder that how you compete matters as much as the final score. The lessons learned about perseverance, accountability, and lifting each other up will serve these players well beyond squash. We say goodbye this season to two outstanding seniors, Withington and Athreya Arvind ’26. Their contributions to this program have been meaningful and lasting, and we send them off with our deepest gratitude and excitement for what’s ahead for them. To our parent community, thank you. Your support, your presence at matches, and your investment in these young men do not go unnoticed. It means more than you know. This group gave everything they had. That’s all you can ask. Well done, Varsity Boys Squash!
