The athletes of Team USA were honored during a reception and ceremony following the conclusion of the finals of the U.S. Women’s Championship and S.L. Green U.S. Men’s Championship Friday, April 28, at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.
The the second annual “An Evening With Team USA” event celebrated the accomplishments of the members of the US Squash High Performance Program (HPP) over the past season.
The event opened with a special presentation of the US Squash President’s Cup to Stephen L. Green, whose generous support has provided the S.L. Green U.S. Men’s Championship prize fund for more than three decades.
World No. 13 Olivia Blatchford Clyne, the USOPC athlete representative, spoke of growth and gratitude. “We grow the game but the game also grows us and expands our capabilities,” Blatchford Clyne said. “The questions it asks of us help expand our mindset. We are playing with gratitude and love.”
Ong Beng Hee, the Ganek Family US Squash Head National Coach, recognized the accomplishments of Team USA over the 2022-2023 season. Beng Hee lauded the historic second place finish by Team USA’s Amanda Sobhy, Blatchford Clyne, Olivia Fiechter and Sabrina Sobhy at the Women’s World Team Championship in December. Beng Hee also detailed career high rankings achieved over the year including the first time four American women have been ranked in the world’s top sixteen and the first time four American men have been ranked inside the top fifty.
Beng Hee praised Olivia Fiechter, Blatchford Clyne, Timmy Brownell and Amanda Sobhy for their numerous PSA titles and major final appearances over the course of the season.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of the S.L. Green Trophy, presented by Stephen Green, to newly crowned champion Andrew Douglas and the Desai Family Cup, presented by Sunil Desai, to six-time champion Amanda Sobhy. Both players spoke to their accomplishments and the ascendence of Team USA squash.