Seven Hills School held a dedication ceremony Tuesday to open the largest squash facility of any high school in Cincinnati.
The new facility, the Wyant Family Squash Center, is part of the Hillsdale campus and is the latest step in the growth of Seven Hills' squash program.
Squash is a sport played with rackets by singles or doubles teams on a four-walled court. The biggest difference between squash and racquetball is around the ball. A small, hollow squash ball won't bounce.
Seven Hills has begun offering squash as a winter sport for girls' high schools during the 2021-22 school year, with the sponsorship of interested students.
“This idea came from the students, it was student-led, and that's what makes this school so great. The students here do great things,” said Seven Hills Athletic Director Scott Willard. I’m doing a lot,” he said.
Starting in 2021, the squash program now includes high school boys teams and middle school teams. Last season, Seven Hills fielded six middle school and high school teams and sent the boys' and girls' varsity teams to the National High School Squash Championships last month.
“It's really exciting to make the team in high school and continue to play in college…It's been a dream for me and my sister Anya since we were freshmen, and Mr. Willard and I have helped make that a reality. '' said the senior. Team captain Aanvi Anand attended the inauguration ceremony.
Seven Hills Development Director Margo Kirstein said the Wyant Family Squash Center is made possible by a small group of generous donors, including alumni Peg Wyant and Jack Wyant.
In addition to serving as the home court for the squash team, squash will also be incorporated into Seven Hills' physical education curriculum.
“We really want to give all of our students the opportunity to be introduced to this game. Our hope is that they will be interested in a game that they can play long into their adult lives and become part of our community.” We want them to become what they are,” said Chris Garten, principal of the school. he said at the inauguration ceremony.
The center includes four squash courts, a spectator viewing area, and a “university wall.” The wall honors his more than 20 Seven Hills alumni who played collegiate squash before competitive squash began. Since the program began, three students have signed or gone on to play squash at the collegiate level, including Aanvi Anand and her sister Anya Anand (Class of 2022).
Willard hopes Seven Hills' squash efforts will help grow squash among middle and high school students in the area.
“Cincinnati has a great partnership and great squash,” Willard said.
