FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2026
Philadelphia Scholastic Squash League (PSSL) Concludes Fourth Season, Expanding Opportunity and Access to Public School Students
Philadelphia– America’s first and largest city-based public school squash league, the Philadelphia Scholastic Squash League (PSSL), concluded its fourth season with championships held February 16–18 at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center, highlighting top-notch squash and the continued growth of the sport in our city’s public schools.
Created and administered by SquashSmarts and US Squash with support from The School District of Philadelphia and participating Charter Schools, student-athletes from across the city competed in individual and team squash competitions.
Athletes of all ages delivered exceptional performances on court with titles awarded in eight categories:
2025-2026 PSSL High School Champions
Julia R. Masterman School (Girls Team Champion)
Esperanza Academy Charter School (Boys Team Champion)
Mia Carabello, Carver Engineering & Science, 9th grade (Girls Individual Champion)
Malachi McCall, Parkway Center City, 12th grade (Boys Individual Champion)
2025-2026 PSSL Middle School Champions
Overbrook Education Center (Girls Team Champion)
Overbrook Education Center (Boys Team Champion)
Shaiyelis Navedo-Santos, Esperanza Academy, 8th grade (Girls Individual Champion)
Izahia Espinal, Lindley Academy, 7th grade (Boys Individual Champion)
Individual Champions were determined by an end-of-season individual playoff here: https://clublocker.com/tournaments/19110/draws
Team Champions were determined by the highest place team finish in the Mid-Atlantic Squash Championships here: https://clublocker.com/tournaments/18853/info
PSSL provides public school students with access to world-class squash facilities and structured interscholastic competition through practices and matches at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center and Lenfest Center under the guidance of expert coaches who create clear, positive and supportive pathways into the sport.
“We’re helping redefine who has the opportunity to play life-long, non-traditional sports like squash,” says James Lynch, Executive Director of Athletics for The School District of Philadelphia.
Now in its fourth year, the PSSL continues to serve as a national model for expanding squash in public school systems.
“This league is proof that access and innovative partnerships can change everything,” adds Kim Clearkin, PSSL Co-Commissioner and Chief Programs Officer at US Squash.
“When students have consistent coaching, courts and competition, they develop not only as athletes, but as confident, resilient young people,” notes Stephen Gregg, PSSL Co-Commissioner and SquashSmarts Executive Director.
PSSL is helping ensure squash in Philadelphia is inclusive, accessible, and representative of our city’s diverse population.
For more information, contact:
Kim Clearkin
kim.clearkin@ussquash.org
Stephen Gregg
stevegregg@squashsmarts.org
