The Andover Boys Varsity Squash team is expecting to have a strong season this year. After the loss of six seniors last season, Andover will look to Captain Dan Wagman ’06 to lead a young team. Simon Keyes ’06, Derek de Svastich ’06, and Owen Remeika ’06 will also be called upon to guide the younger players. Of the seniors, Coach Tom Cone said, “We have a group of talented seniors who give us a lot of experience. The team is really going to be counting on these guys to help bring along the newer players.” Coming up from junior varsity are newcomers Sam Gould ’07, Sam Woolford ’06, and Danny Silk ’07. Also, Graham Miao ’09 of Hong Kong, at the number three spot, will help to give Andover the depth that it will need against tougher opponents. Of his new teammates, Captain Wagman said, “I’m really excited for this season; we have a strong team with a lot of potential. I think that other teams always take Andover Squash seriously, and this year the same can be expected.” With seniors in three of the top four spots, Coach Cone said, “We have real strength in Derek de Svastich and Dan Wagman in our top two spots. Our top four are going to do very well against the other teams. With that said, our numbers five, six, and seven are going to determine the outcome of many matches. This experience will be great for the bottom of our ladder, and it should be a good building year for the younger players on the team.” Losing to Belmont Hill in its first scrimmage of the season, Andover will look to beat its toughest opponent later this season. Silk said of the match, “Belmont Hill is always tough, but I am confident that by the end of the season we can beat them.” So far in its regular season, Andover has gotten off to a good start, beating Tabor in a decisive 5-2 match. At the number one spot, de Svastich defaulted after playing one game. The only other loss was suffered at number three, in which Miao was defeated 3-1. In each of the other five spots, only one game was lost. Such a strong showing so early demonstrates Andover’s potential. With tough matches against Belmont Hill, Taft, and Milton still to come, Coach Cone said, “It is going to be challenging. We do not have any easy matches on our schedule. All of our matches will be about who leaves it all out on the court, but I think that if we play smart and hard, we will do very well. We will be expecting some great wins at the top of the ladder and some great surprises further along. Overall, I do think that we will have a winning record, which is great.” Andover will face Choate, Exeter, and Taft this Saturday at home.
