Is that SQUASH in Grand Central? Yep (just part of ’squash week’ in NYC)

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

[caption id="attachment_988" align="aligncenter" width="346" caption="Tournament of Champions in Grand Central this week"][/caption] By Sarah Odell Anyone striding through Grand Central Terminal this week could be excused for looking up from their Blackberries and iPhones and thinking they had accidentally zig-zagged west to Madison Square Garden (OK, not really, but…) It’s not everyday that ...

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Top pro squash player on match prep, the fallacy of burnout — and why a bikini calendar

Monday, January 4th, 2010

[caption id="attachment_889" align="aligncenter" width="830" caption="Grainger bests Alison Waters in the finals of the Burning River Classic in Cleveland, Feb. 2009"][/caption] By Sarah Odell What happens when you cross a genetic pre-disposition with an environment crafted for squash excellence? Answer: Natalie Grainger, one of the top women's squash players in the world (she’s ...

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Lessons, some victories, and fresh worry: Is there life after college sports?

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

[caption id="attachment_723" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Odell (in blue)"][/caption] By Sarah Odell The other day, the Wellesley College Squash Team -- my team -- opened the 2009 season at home against Smith College. This is my last home opener. As a senior, who has spent four years holding the number one spot at Wellesley, ...

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Pro Squash Player Suzie Pierrepont Talks Passion, Tournaments, and — yep — Women’s (Lower) Pay

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

By Sarah Odell I met professional squash player Suzie Pierrepont last spring at the U25 National Doubles Tournament at the Field Club of Greenwich, CT. Suzie, a 23-year-old Brit, is ranked 25th in the world and is now based in the U.S. at the Apawamis Club in Rye, N.Y.  While US ...

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Maccabiah Update: USA Women’s Squash Takes Team Silver

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

[caption id="attachment_280" align="alignnone" width="163" caption="From the opening ceremonies"] Sarah Odell, Team USA Sarah Odell has been competing in Israel as a member of the US Squash Team at the Maccabiah Games, where 7,000 athletes from 60 countries are competing for medals and bonding over their common Jewish heritage. ...

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Countdown to Competition: The Maccabiah Games (and fears about heat-induced super-bouncy squash balls)

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

[caption id="attachment_226" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Sarah Odell (in blue) practices for Maccabiah Games "][/caption] By Sarah Odell Tomorrow I leave with members of the U.S. men’s and women’s squash teams to compete in the Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv. The Games –- would you believe the third-largest sporting event in the world? -- happen ...

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Jeanne Blasberg, chair of US Squash, on growing the women’s game, courting the post-college crowd, and amping up your game as you age (seriously)

Monday, May 4th, 2009

By Sarah Odell [caption id="attachment_66" align="aligncenter" width="407" caption="US Squash board chair Jeanne Blasberg"][/caption] Jeanne Blasberg is Board Chair, of U.S. Squash and plays at state and national levels. Recently, she has been kind enough to teach my friend Ashley and I the game of doubles squash, which is all together different from ...

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