In reflection of the team’s outstanding performance this season so far, No.1 Penn men’s squash had two players fighting for the Pool Trophy in the College Squash Association’s Individual Championship final — with sophomore Salman Khalil taking the trophy.
"Having two Penn players in the final took a lot of stress off my shoulders because we have secured the title which was the only objective we had going into the championship," Khalil said.
Seeded first heading into the championships, Khalil was expected to make it far into the tournament. The Cairo native is the reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year and first-team CSA All-American.
In the final, Khalil played against teammate junior Omar Hafez — who was seeded sixth in the overall tournament.
"It’s never easy playing a teammate, especially when you both grew up together," said Khalil. "But sometimes you have to put emotions on the side and do what you’re born to do.
Notably, neither player received coaching during the final match, as they were both representing the same team, making it a matter of fairness during match play.
The match began with an assessment of one player towards the other. Both Quakers knew their opponent’s style well after countless practices together. Because of this, the original play style was hesitant and on the defensive side for both men. With Hafez taking an early 4-1 lead, it appeared that spectators were in for a long match. While Hafez dictated match play in the rallies, Khalil consistently capitalized on his opportunities to secure points. In the end, Khalil quickly and efficiently made a 10-point comeback — winning the first game 11-4.
The second game began in a similar fashion with Hafez gaining an early lead of 4-0. Unlike the first game, Hafez continued a strong, impressive fight. The two Quakers found themselves in long, intense rallies, each person trying to out-strategize the other as the score inched up 5-5, 8-7, to 11-11.
Eventually, Khalil won the second game 13-11 — securing two out of three needed wins. As the third game began, Hafez appeared fatigued, and his energy was not in line with the beginning of the match. The energy had officially shifted in Khalil’s favor, as he swiftly gained the first five consecutive points. Khalil extended his impressive lead throughout the end of the match, winning 11-2.
"It took a while to sink in. Even though it’s an individual title, I knew it meant a lot for the team and the program which made it so meaningful for me." said Khalil.
After the final point, the two teammates shared a heartfelt hug, showcasing their camaraderie and respect for each other on and off the court. But it wasn't just sportsmanship seen on Tuesday’s court, as after the match it became clear that this was something more.
“The love that they have for each other, they grew up playing juniors against each other. Omar being from Alexandria, and Salman being from Cairo," Lane said. "You know, they weren't necessarily that close, you know, maybe in juniors, but the brotherhood is real and so is the mutual respect.”
Outside Khalil’s impressive win, there was one other notable Quaker who won their bracket championship in this tournament. Freshman Allie Stoddard beat Stanford's Yuvna Gupta 11-2, 7-11, 14-12, 11-5 with an impressive and consistent lead throughout. Playing for the Holleran North bracket, Stoddard started as the sixth seed but managed to fight her way to the top. Her ability to adjust her strategy in the pivotal fourth set showcased not only her skill but also her mental resilience.
Looking to the near future, Penn women’s squash will compete against the final three Ivy League opponents: Harvard, Dartmouth, and Princeton. With a record of 10-1 in overall match play this season, the team is primed and ready to make a strong fight for the Ivy League Championship.
As for the men’s squash, the highest praise can be given. The Quakers have a 13-0 record overall and are looking to cap off their perfect season with a dominant performance against their remaining opponents, including three Ivy League rivals. The team looks to solidify its claim as the team to beat in the Ivy League and in the nation with the CSA Team Championships in March.
"[I'm] very excited to play as a team again and clinch that Ivy title on February 9th against Princeton," said Khalil. "And of course, there’s no better way to end the season than by winning the national championship title in March, especially with 7 guys having this as their last season."
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