Liberty League announces 2016-17 Men's Squash Award Recipients
The Liberty League has announced the major award winners from the 2016-17 men’s squash season. University of Rochester senior Ryosei Kobayashi was selected as the Player of the Year. St. Lawrence University freshman Mohamed El Gawarhy was chosen as Rookie of the Year. The Bard College coaching staff, led by head coach Craig Thorpe-Clark, was recognized as the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year.
Player of the Year
Ryosei Kobayashi, University of Rochester, Sr., Yokohama, Japan
University of Rochester senior Ryosei Kobayashi has been selected as the Liberty League Player of the Year in men’s squash. Kobayashi played in the top spot for Rochester in 13 of his 14 matches and was 10-4 in dual matches and 15-5 overall. He captured the Price-Bullington Invitational title in November and had eight wins over nationally ranked opponents. A three-time Liberty League Performer of the Week selection, Kobayashi was selected as the College Squash Association (CSA) Player of the Week following his rally from a 0-2 deficit at the No. 1 position to secure the winning point in Rochester’s victory over Trinity. Kobayashi was selected as the recipient of the CSA Skillman Award, presented annually to a senior men’s squash player who has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship during his entire college career.
Rookie of the Year
Mohamed El Gawarhy, St. Lawrence, Fr., Cairo, Egypt
St. Lawrence University first-year performer Mohamed El Gawarhy was chosen as the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. El Gawarhy started the season 10-0 for St. Lawrence after joining the team in January. He finished the season with a 10-3 record in dual matches, including a 7-3 record at the No. 1 position and a 3-0 mark at No. 2. He also competed in the Pool Trophy draw at the CSA Individual National Championships, advancing to the quarterfinal round with a 1-1 record. His win at No. 1 against Rochester’s Mario Yanez Tapia in the Liberty League tournament clinched the match for the Saints and helped the team to its fourth straight Liberty League title.
Coaching Staff of the Year
Bard College – Craig Thorpe-Clark, Head Coach
Bard College head coach Craig Thorpe-Clark and assistant coach David Lindholm have been selected as the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. Thorpe-Clark has reinvigorated the Bard squash program in his three seasons as head coach. Inheriting a team that went winless in the season prior to his arrival, Thorpe-Clark has led the Raptors to a total of 21 wins the last two seasons, including the squad’s first two victories in the Liberty League tournament. This past season, Bard opened the campaign by winning its first seven matches. The Raptors were ranked 40th in the latest College Squash Association national poll, up from 45th and 58th in the final CSA polls the previous two years.
All-Liberty League Men's Squash Team:
Ahmed Bayoumy, St. Lawrence, Jr., Cairo, Egypt
Moustafa Bayoumy, St. Lawrence, Jr., Cairo, Egypt
Tomotaka Endo, Rochester, Jr., Kawasaki, Japan
Mohamed El Gawarhy, St. Lawrence, Fr., Cairo, Egypt
Karim Ibrahim, St. Lawrence, Fr., Cairo, Egypt
Ryosei Kobayashi, Rochester, Sr., Yokohama, Japan
Ricardo Lopez, Rochester, So., Aguascalientes, Mexico
Josh Oakley, Hobart, So., Tauranga, New Zealand
Mario Yanez Tapia, Rochester, Sr., Aguascalientes, Mexico
Honorable Mention: Belal Nawar, St. Lawrence, Fr., Cairo, Egypt