By Sarah Odell Just a few months ago, it was hard to think of a time when I wouldn't be going to school - and wouldn't have a two-hour practice built into my day. But that time has come. I've graduated from college, landed my dream job at Harper Collins publishers in New York City, managed to find … [Read more...]
Youth may bring it, but sometimes age (and experience) crushes
By Sarah Odell In sports, there is always some arrogance on the side of youth. When an athlete of twenty-two faces an athlete of forty or fifty, one assumes the younger player will win-he or she must be stronger, fitter, faster. This notion is completely false - and I learned it on a squash … [Read more...]
Is that SQUASH in Grand Central? Yep (just part of ‘squash week’ in NYC)
Tournament of Champions in Grand Central this week By Sarah Odell Anyone striding through Grand Central Terminal this week could be excused for looking up from their Blackberries and iPhones and thinking they had accidentally zig-zagged west to Madison Square Garden (OK, not really, but...) It's not … [Read more...]
Pakistan’s female squash player defies tradition
PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Pakistan's squash champion Maria Toor Pakay cut her teeth fighting boys in a tribal district synonymous with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, defying convention to become a trailblazer in her sport. She hails from South Waziristan, part of Pakistan's tribal belt branded by Washington … [Read more...]
Top pro squash player on match prep, the fallacy of burnout - and why a bikini calendar
Grainger bests Alison Waters in the finals of the Burning River Classic in Cleveland, Feb. 2009 By Sarah Odell What happens when you cross a genetic pre-disposition with an environment crafted for squash excellence? Answer: Natalie Grainger, one of the top women's squash players in the world (she's … [Read more...]
Lessons, some victories, and fresh worry: Is there life after college sports?
Odell (in blue) By Sarah Odell The other day, the Wellesley College Squash Team - my team - opened the 2009 season at home against Smith College. This is my last home opener. As a senior, who has spent four years holding the number one spot at Wellesley, I can't help but reflect. Sure, I'm not the … [Read more...]
Pro Squash player Suzie Pierrepont talks passion, tournaments, and - yep - women’s (lower) pay
By Sarah Odell I met professional squash player Suzie Pierrepont last spring at the U25 National Doubles Tournament at the Field Club of Greenwich, CT. Suzie, a 23-year-old Brit, is ranked 25th in the world and is now based in the U.S. at the Apawamis Club in Rye, N.Y. … [Read more...]
Maccabiah Update: USA Women’s Squash Takes Team Silver
Sarah Odell, Team USA Sarah Odell has been competing in Israel as a member of the US Squash Team at the Maccabiah Games, where 7,000 athletes from 60 countries are competing for medals and bonding over their common Jewish heritage. Among the participants is American swimmer Jason Lezak, whose … [Read more...]
Countdown to Competition: The Maccabiah Games (and fears about heat-induced super-bouncy squash balls)
Sarah Odell (in blue) practices for Maccabiah Games By Sarah Odell Tomorrow I leave with members of the U.S. men's and women's squash teams to compete in the Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv. The Games -- would you believe the third-largest sporting event in the world? - happen every four years in … [Read more...]
Jeanne Blasberg, chair of US Squash, on growing the women’s game, courting the post-college crowd, and amping up your game as you age (seriously)
By Sarah Odell US Squash board chair Jeanne Blasberg Jeanne Blasberg is Board Chair, of U.S. Squash and plays at state and national levels. Recently, she has been kind enough to teach my friend Ashley and I the game of doubles squash, which is all together different from singles. Ashley and I just … [Read more...]