Episcopal Academy’s Kristen Weil is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
A senior at EA, Kristen Weil held down the No. 1 squash spot for the Churchwomen during the 2020-21 season (as well as most of the 2019-20 campaign), and was first team All-MASA and All-Inter-Ac in 2020. She is currently #6 in the US Squash rankings (U19 women). A fine all-around athlete, she also runs relays for the EA track team, and was part of the girls’ 4×200 relay squad that broke the school record when she was a freshman. EA squash coach Demer Holleran said, “Kristen is incredibly athletic and a quick mover on the court. Fitness and speed are her big strengths.”
Q: Tell us a little about the biggest challenge you faced during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding keeping your squash game in shape, and how you dealt with that challenge.
A: I faced my biggest squash challenge during the pandemic from mid-March to mid-June, when my squash club was closed and I was unable to play for over three months, the longest I had ever gone without playing since I first picked up a racket in 5th grade. To stay in shape, I did cardio workouts and strength training workouts in my basement, and even would do some makeshift solo squash practice against the stucco exterior wall of my house.
Q: What do you think has been your best squash match for EA – what is your most vivid memory of it, and what was working particularly well for you that day?
A: My best squash match for EA was during High School Nationals, held at Trinity College, when I played against a strong opponent from Greenwich Academy. The competitive energy that radiated among the girls on our EA team gave me a strong burst of adrenaline for my match, and our team really bonded and demonstrated great support for each other, making this a match I will always remember.
Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game? What part of your game have you worked on the most recently?
A: I would say the strongest part of my game is the power I put into my drives, and the way I am able to change directions on my opponent. Recently, I have been working on my mid-court game, specifically on controlling my mid-court volley drives and volley drops.
Q: Who are your favorite squash players? Do you try to pattern your game after any of them?
A: My favorite squash player is Amanda Sobhy, America’s top female squash player, currently ranked No. 7 in the world, and who also happens to be a fellow lefty. I admire her powerful game and style of play, and try to pattern my game off aspects of Amanda’s.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in squash.
A: I started playing squash in 5th grade, when I took a lesson at EA’s squash club with my sister and a couple friends. Ever since then, I fell in love with the sport and spent hours nearly six days each week playing clinics, doing solo practice, taking lessons, and doing squash specific workouts. I spent my weekends traveling to US Squash Junior tournaments all over the country to compete against some of the best players in the country.
Q: Who have been your top squash mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?
A: Demer Holleran, the Director of EA Squash and one of the most decorated women in US Squash history, and John Russell, my personal coach and the current No. 2 men’s doubles player in the world, have had an enormous impact on my squash development, and personal development, as well. They have taught me the value of perseverance, grit, and focused training, and I owe my development and success to them.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-match preparation the day of a match.
A: The day of a match, I make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day and eat at least 2-3 hours before I play. I like to arrive at the venue around an hour ahead of my match time, pop my squash shoes on and put my headphones in. Then, I go off to stretch and warm up, and really focus on getting mentally prepared for the match.
Q: What is your favorite squash venue, and why?
A: My favorite squash venue is Chelsea Piers in Connecticut, because the facility is so spacious, making it easy to find a private area to warm up and stretch before matches.
Q: You are currently committed to the admissions process at Princeton University. What do you plan to major in?
A: I plan on majoring in Economics.
Fun facts – Kristen Weil
Favorite book: The Great Gatsby.
Favorite TV show: One Tree Hill.
Favorite movie: The Parent Trap.
Favorite athlete: Amanda Sobhy.
Favorite pre-match pump-up song: Outnumbered.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: San Francisco.
Favorite pre-match meal: Quest bar.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
