Liberty League announces 2015-16 men's squash award recipients
The Liberty League has announced the major award winners from the 2015-16 men’s squash season. St. Lawrence senior Amr Khalifa earned player of the year honors for the fourth straight year. St. Lawrence freshman Lenard Puski was selected as rookie of the year. The University of Rochester coaching staff, led by head coach Martin Heath, was recognized as the coaching staff of the year.
Player of the Year
Amr Khalifa, St. Lawrence, Sr., Cairo, Egypt
St. Lawrence University senior Amr Khalifa was selected as Liberty League player of the year for the fourth straight year. Khalifa, who was the recipient of the Skillman Award – the top honor from the College Squash Association (CSA) – went 14-1 on the year, earned All-America honors and was the second seed at the CSA Individual National Championship. He earned the clinching victory against Rochester in the Liberty League championship match, which clinched a third-straight title for the Saints. Khalifa concluded his four-year career with a 46-5 overall record (.902 winning percentage).
Rookie of the Year
Lenard Puski, St. Lawrence, Fr., Budapest, Hungary *
St. Lawrence University freshman Lenard Puski was selected as the Liberty League rookie of the year after compiling a 19-2 overall record while playing primarily in the number-four position for the Saints. A four-time Liberty League rookie of the week selection, Puski earned All-America honors after winning the Molloy B Division championship at the College Squash Association Individual National Championship.
Coaching Staff of the Year
University of Rochester – Martin Heath, Head Coach *
The University of Rochester coaching staff, led by head coach Martin Heath, was selected as the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. Heath guided the Yellowjackets to a 12-4 overall record and a runner-up finish at the College Squash Association National Championship. The Yellowjackets fell to Yale University 5-4 in the Potter Cup (national championship) final. The team’s 12 wins are tied for the second-most in a single season. Rochester finished with eight wins over CSA top-10 teams, including eventual champion Yale and preseason No. 1 Trinity. Heath is assisted by Adam Perkiomaki, Oscar Lopez Hidalgo and Jesse Cramer.
All-Liberty League Men's Squash Team:
Ahmed Bayoumy, St. Lawrence, So., Cairo, Egypt *
Moustafa Bayoumy, So., Cairo, Egypt *
Neil Cordell, Rochester, Sr., York, England *
Tomotaka Endo, Rochester, So., Kawasaki, Japan *
Amr Khalifa, St. Lawrence, Sr., Cairo, Egypt *
Ryosei Kobayashi, Rochester, Jr., Yokohama, Japan *
Josh Oakley, Hobart, Fr., Tauranga, New Zealand *
Lenard Puski, St. Lawrence, Freshman, Budapest, Hungary *
Mario Yanez Tapia, Rochester, Jr., Aguascalientes, Mexico *
Honorable Mention: Lawrence Kuhn, Rochester; George Willis, St. Lawrence
* unanimous selection.