The 2018 U.S. Squash Hardball Singles Championships took place at the Harvard Club of New York, February 23-35.
Thirty-three players competed across eight divisions, which included six age group division and two men’s and women’s Open divisions.
New York City’s Henry Steinglass won his third Hardball Singles national title in the 75+ division, defeating John McBride of Maryland in a four-game final.
Tefft Smith of Washington, DC, successfully defended his 70+ national title, prevailing over Charlie Kimball of New York City in a three-game final.
Paul Chan won a three-player 65+ round robin, losing to Steinglass in five games, but defeating Smith in five games. Smith defeated Steinglass in four games, with Chan winning one more total game than Steinglass and Smith across both matches.
Philadelphia’s Peter Stokes defeated Chan 15-10, 15-11, 15-11 in the 60+ match.
Five-time former national hardball singles champion Tom Harrity defeated Stokes and Steven Kupka in the 50+ round robin.
Former Navy player Sunil Desai topped the 40+ round robin, defeating Naj Alavi 3-0 and winning a close five-gamer against Willie Gaynor.
The ten-player Men’s Open division saw PSA and SDA professional Zac Alexander dominate the draw without dropping a game all tournament. Alexander defeated top seed Hamed Anvari in the final.
Philadelphia’s Kelsey Engman defeated Harvard graduate Charlene Neo 15-8, 8-15, 15-7, 15-9 in the women’s Open match.
Both Open division champions were awarded $1000 in prize money, and the finalists earned $500.
Richard Chin, the Harvard Club’s head professional, was awarded the Charlie Baker Trophy for his contributions to Hardball Singles.
View all results here.
