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/ Men's Squash
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Men's Squash Team Puts Rebuild On Fast Forward With Internationally Touted Class Of 2021
June 01, 2017 | Men's Squash
This past season was all about putting together a foundation for future success. Six underclassmen played in the top seven spots for a Princeton team that found more wins, and made dramatic improvements against teams that still finished ahead of it in the final team standings.
Head coach Sean Wilkinson could feel the excitement — and the talent — but he also understood that he needed to fortify it with something special.
A highly touted Class of 2021, headlined by a player with the best incoming résumé since Yasser El Halaby '06, will more than fill the need for that.
Wilkinson introduced his incoming quartet of Cole Becker, Alex Engstrom, Youssef Ibrahim, and Duncan Joyce, and at the same time announced to the collegiate squash nation that Princeton is that much closer to returning to the elite level of the sport.
While Ibrahim, who achieved a No. 1 ranking at every age level in Egypt, will grab the early headlines, the group brings strong national and international credentials to Princeton, and they will strengthen a lineup that loses only one current senior (Ben Leizman) for next season.
"The Class of 2021 is undoubtedly one of the highest rated recruiting classes we have brought in for several years," Wilkinson said. "All four guys have competed at the highest levels of junior squash around the world and will bring a tremendous amount of experience to our program. We are very excited about the upcoming season, and this group will play a massive role in our success moving forward. The energy in the locker room this spring has been palpable in anticipation for this group to arrive on campus in the fall.
"Beyond the court, I know each guy will bring such great perspective and experiences to the Princeton community," Wilkinson added. "We already have a diverse team of student-athletes, something we really are proud of, and I know that the character and leadership these four will add to that group, will improve us and our team culture tremendously.
Here is a look at the Princeton Class of 2021:
Cole Becker
San Mateo, Calif. • Nueva
Before Princeton — reached the #2 ranking at the U-19 level, and also earned No. 2 ranking at U-15 … will compete for the U.S. as the No. 2 player at the World Junior Championships this summer … played at the British Junior Open three times, as reached the semifinals at the Pan-American Games (2016) … won three Junior Championship Tournaments and has several other top-four finishes … also lettered in golf and basketball; served as starting point guard for basketball and nearly qualified for state championships in golf … four-year U.S. Squash Scholar-Athlete honoree.
Personal — born May 30, 1999 … son of Louise Ober '81 and Craig Becker … mother won four squash national team titles at Princeton … has an older sister Madeleine … has composed three classically inspired pieces on the piano … member of the school's debate team … hoping to earned a summer software engineering internship this summer … considering studying Electrical Engineering and other areas at Princeton.
Wilkinson on Becker: Cole Becker has shown such tremendous growth in the last few seasons. His game has improved almost immeasurably, and his recent results are indicative of the work he has put in. Before he arrives on campus this fall, he'll travel with the U.S. National Junior Team to New Zealand to compete in the World Juniors and we are so excited to watch him compete against the best in the world. He is going to be a rock for us during his career as a Tiger, and we know he will continue to develop into a wonderful player.
Alex Engstrom
London, England • St. Paul's School
Before Princeton — reached No. 3 in English National ranks at U-13, U-15, and U-17 levels … finished third in both the Pioneer Junior Open and the German Junior Open … took fourth in the English Junior Championships … played twice in the British Junior Open … led St. Paul's School to two successive Private Schools Championships as the No. 1 player … played No. 1 for the first men's team at the Queen's Club in London … recipient of both Junior and Senior Academic Scholar honors at St. Paul's School.
Personal — born Aug. 19, 1999 … son of Erik Engstrom and Libby Pierpont Engstrom; mother played varsity tennis and squash at Harvard … has an older sister Annika … developed and led a program to mentor underprivileged children through education and sports in Uganda … enjoys playing all sports … considering studying in the areas of applied mathematics at Princeton.
Wilkinson on Engstrom: Alex is a wonderful squash player and will bring a competitive perspective that will undoubtedly improve our dynamic next year. Alex has competed successfully at the highest levels on the European Junior Circuit, and has proven time and again that he will be tough to beat in college. He's such a well rounded individual and we look forward to working with him starting in September.
Youssef Ibrahim
Cairo, Egypt • El Kods El Sharief International School
Before Princeton — won the U-17 British Junior Open … won the U-13, U-15, U-17, and U-19 Egyptian National Championships … won the U-15 and U-17 U.S. Open … placed third at the 2016 World Junior Championships … will compete at the World Junior Championships in New Zealand this summer … served as team captain for both club team and Egyptian National Team … also played soccer.
Personal — born Feb. 3, 1999 … son of Dina Abdallah and Ibrahim Abdallah … has an older brother Karim, who plays squash at St. Lawrence … enjoys soccer and drawing … undecided on course of study at Princeton.
Wilkinson on Ibrahim: Youssef's record speaks for itself. He has won almost every junior tournament in the world. Not since Yasser El Halaby '06 joined the team in the fall of 2002, have we brought in a player with Youssef's junior record. He is without a doubt an extremely talented athlete and we look forward to watching him compete in the Orange and Black.
Duncan Joyce
Haverford, Pa. • The Haverford School
Before Princeton — earned No. 1 ranking at U-17 level … competed for the USA at the 2016 British Junior Open … played for the U.S. team at the Battle of the Border (U-17) … led The Haverford School to the 2017 national championship as the No. 1 player; team reached the final one year earlier … placed eight at the U-17 US Open … served as team captain at Haverford … also lettered in tennis.
Personal — born Jan. 19, 1999 … son of Katharine and Bobby Joyce … has an older brother Miller and two younger brothers, Carter and Graham … has an uncle, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather who went to Princeton … sings in his high school a capella group … enjoys tennis, golf, and basketball … undecided on course of study at Princeton, but considering areas related to math.
Wilkinson on Joyce: Duncan really is an incredible young man. I've been watching Duncan quite closely for a few years now and we were absolutely thrilled when he chose to apply to the University. He's been among the best players in the US for a long time now, and I know that he will continue to develop in our environment. Since the start of his recruiting process he's shown tremendous love for Princeton and our teams. We know that he is going to make a big impact here next year, and we can't wait to get started.
Head coach Sean Wilkinson could feel the excitement — and the talent — but he also understood that he needed to fortify it with something special.
A highly touted Class of 2021, headlined by a player with the best incoming résumé since Yasser El Halaby '06, will more than fill the need for that.
Wilkinson introduced his incoming quartet of Cole Becker, Alex Engstrom, Youssef Ibrahim, and Duncan Joyce, and at the same time announced to the collegiate squash nation that Princeton is that much closer to returning to the elite level of the sport.
While Ibrahim, who achieved a No. 1 ranking at every age level in Egypt, will grab the early headlines, the group brings strong national and international credentials to Princeton, and they will strengthen a lineup that loses only one current senior (Ben Leizman) for next season.
"The Class of 2021 is undoubtedly one of the highest rated recruiting classes we have brought in for several years," Wilkinson said. "All four guys have competed at the highest levels of junior squash around the world and will bring a tremendous amount of experience to our program. We are very excited about the upcoming season, and this group will play a massive role in our success moving forward. The energy in the locker room this spring has been palpable in anticipation for this group to arrive on campus in the fall.
"Beyond the court, I know each guy will bring such great perspective and experiences to the Princeton community," Wilkinson added. "We already have a diverse team of student-athletes, something we really are proud of, and I know that the character and leadership these four will add to that group, will improve us and our team culture tremendously.
Here is a look at the Princeton Class of 2021:
Cole Becker
San Mateo, Calif. • Nueva
Before Princeton — reached the #2 ranking at the U-19 level, and also earned No. 2 ranking at U-15 … will compete for the U.S. as the No. 2 player at the World Junior Championships this summer … played at the British Junior Open three times, as reached the semifinals at the Pan-American Games (2016) … won three Junior Championship Tournaments and has several other top-four finishes … also lettered in golf and basketball; served as starting point guard for basketball and nearly qualified for state championships in golf … four-year U.S. Squash Scholar-Athlete honoree.
Personal — born May 30, 1999 … son of Louise Ober '81 and Craig Becker … mother won four squash national team titles at Princeton … has an older sister Madeleine … has composed three classically inspired pieces on the piano … member of the school's debate team … hoping to earned a summer software engineering internship this summer … considering studying Electrical Engineering and other areas at Princeton.
Wilkinson on Becker: Cole Becker has shown such tremendous growth in the last few seasons. His game has improved almost immeasurably, and his recent results are indicative of the work he has put in. Before he arrives on campus this fall, he'll travel with the U.S. National Junior Team to New Zealand to compete in the World Juniors and we are so excited to watch him compete against the best in the world. He is going to be a rock for us during his career as a Tiger, and we know he will continue to develop into a wonderful player.
Alex Engstrom
London, England • St. Paul's School
Before Princeton — reached No. 3 in English National ranks at U-13, U-15, and U-17 levels … finished third in both the Pioneer Junior Open and the German Junior Open … took fourth in the English Junior Championships … played twice in the British Junior Open … led St. Paul's School to two successive Private Schools Championships as the No. 1 player … played No. 1 for the first men's team at the Queen's Club in London … recipient of both Junior and Senior Academic Scholar honors at St. Paul's School.
Personal — born Aug. 19, 1999 … son of Erik Engstrom and Libby Pierpont Engstrom; mother played varsity tennis and squash at Harvard … has an older sister Annika … developed and led a program to mentor underprivileged children through education and sports in Uganda … enjoys playing all sports … considering studying in the areas of applied mathematics at Princeton.
Wilkinson on Engstrom: Alex is a wonderful squash player and will bring a competitive perspective that will undoubtedly improve our dynamic next year. Alex has competed successfully at the highest levels on the European Junior Circuit, and has proven time and again that he will be tough to beat in college. He's such a well rounded individual and we look forward to working with him starting in September.
Youssef Ibrahim
Cairo, Egypt • El Kods El Sharief International School
Before Princeton — won the U-17 British Junior Open … won the U-13, U-15, U-17, and U-19 Egyptian National Championships … won the U-15 and U-17 U.S. Open … placed third at the 2016 World Junior Championships … will compete at the World Junior Championships in New Zealand this summer … served as team captain for both club team and Egyptian National Team … also played soccer.
Personal — born Feb. 3, 1999 … son of Dina Abdallah and Ibrahim Abdallah … has an older brother Karim, who plays squash at St. Lawrence … enjoys soccer and drawing … undecided on course of study at Princeton.
Wilkinson on Ibrahim: Youssef's record speaks for itself. He has won almost every junior tournament in the world. Not since Yasser El Halaby '06 joined the team in the fall of 2002, have we brought in a player with Youssef's junior record. He is without a doubt an extremely talented athlete and we look forward to watching him compete in the Orange and Black.
Duncan Joyce
Haverford, Pa. • The Haverford School
Before Princeton — earned No. 1 ranking at U-17 level … competed for the USA at the 2016 British Junior Open … played for the U.S. team at the Battle of the Border (U-17) … led The Haverford School to the 2017 national championship as the No. 1 player; team reached the final one year earlier … placed eight at the U-17 US Open … served as team captain at Haverford … also lettered in tennis.
Personal — born Jan. 19, 1999 … son of Katharine and Bobby Joyce … has an older brother Miller and two younger brothers, Carter and Graham … has an uncle, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather who went to Princeton … sings in his high school a capella group … enjoys tennis, golf, and basketball … undecided on course of study at Princeton, but considering areas related to math.
Wilkinson on Joyce: Duncan really is an incredible young man. I've been watching Duncan quite closely for a few years now and we were absolutely thrilled when he chose to apply to the University. He's been among the best players in the US for a long time now, and I know that he will continue to develop in our environment. Since the start of his recruiting process he's shown tremendous love for Princeton and our teams. We know that he is going to make a big impact here next year, and we can't wait to get started.
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