Boys Squash Co-Captain Corey Shen ’26 has been playing the sport since the age of 9, starting as just another hobby and later becoming a lifelong passion. Coming from Hong Kong, where squash is extremely popular, Shen was already familiar with the sport going into Andover as a new freshman.
Despite being exposed to many sports from a young age, Shen found a special community in squash. He explained why he chose squash as his sport.
“I played a variety of sports, but squash is a really big sport in Hong Kong, and once I gave it a try, I realized that it was really convenient given its popularity. I dedicated all my time to it, so before coming to Andover, I was playing very competitively. I played six times a week, around two and a half hours every day,” said Shen.
Shen elaborated on how his actions as a player strongly influence his leadership of the team. He emphasized that he models his mindset on many squash players he looks up to, hoping to pass a similar influence on to younger players in the program.
“When I first came to Andover, and in my Upper and Senior year, I saw a lot of potential in the younger players, regardless of whether they were on Varsity or JV. I wanted to carry myself in a way they could look up to and be a good role model for them. I have never been the most talented squash player, but I made it on my own, and I had to work hard to get where I am. I hope that other people view it in the same way, where they may start late or be the best squash player, but if they stick with it and work hard, they can become great,” said Shen.
Every leader has specific distinctions that set them apart from the rest. This is evident in the way they carry themselves both inside and outside of practice. Shen detailed his leadership style and how he utilizes it to build team chemistry, even in a predominantly individual sport.
“On court or during training, I’m very serious and pretty hardcore. I’ve always made it a goal to arrive on time. If anyone’s late, the whole team does a punishment, which not only fosters discipline but also community building, as it is a way for us to hold each other accountable. That’s really important to me because many people view squash as an individual sport, but in high school or even college, it is a team sport, and you have to hold each other accountable. You have to have mutual trust,” said Shen.
Kevin Wu ’29 explored how, as Co-Captain, Shen makes it his responsibility to create fun, inclusive exercises for everyone to enjoy. Especially as team events are foundational to bringing a community together, Wu highlighted Shen’s off-season activities to strengthen the community.
“He is always leading team practices. During the off-season, he would hold captain practices every Wednesday. As a freshman, that was really helpful, as I was able to get used to my teammates and feel the courts. He is also always holding us accountable. If we are a few minutes late, we have to run court sprints,” said Wu.
Alex Yang ’26 emphasized how Shen’s words of wisdom impact the team. He pointed out that the ability to speak well in a team environment is a great quality, especially as a captain. When down a point in a tight match or simply having a bad day, someone who motivates and encourages is always highly valued.
“He is a really good motivational speaker. In between games, or just normally doing practices, he is always so encouraging and motivating, like if someone needs to just keep getting that shot back and taking that extra step,” said Yang.
In terms of his future in squash, Corey plans to continue his journey into college while pursuing other interests as well. Shen specified how the sport will be incorporated into his everyday routine moving forward into the start of his first year playing collegiately.
“I’m fortunate enough to have been recruited to play at a D1 school. I’m not sure what I’ll do with squash from there, but during school, I’m planning to go semi-pro while still focusing on my professional career in tech and finance,” said Shen.
