Men’s Squash had plenty to celebrate closing the 2024-25 regular season. They ended with a 10–7 (7–3 in the NESCAC) record, made the semifinals of the NESCAC Championship, and secured the 2025 Colby-Bowdoin-Bates (CBB) title with a win over Bates on Feb. 15 and Bowdoin on Feb. 23, on Senior Day.
Before the team took on the Polar Bears, they celebrated graduating members of the team. Adrian Castillo `25, Ryan Grace `25, Syed Kashef `25, Alan Lopez `25, and Inwoo Lee `26 all received praise and cheers from their teammates, coaches, and the Colby crowd who came to support.
Colby went on to win the match 8–1, with all the seniors competing coming out triumphant in their last home matches.
As the first man on court, Kashef set the tone for the day, taking down his opponent in straight sets. He played patiently in the first set, picking his opportunities to be offensive and catch his opponent off guard. The second set was a series of runs in which Kashef ultimately prevailed, sending his Bowdoin opposition into a fit of rage after losing the final point. The final set was decisive and sealed the win for Kashef who was pleased with his performance.
After the match, he took some time to reflect on his victory and time with Colby squash.
“I played a really good match especially since it’s my last day as a senior. It was three to love, which I’m super happy about. And overall, for the team’s performance, we did really well. We beat Bowdoin. I’m happy about it,” he said.
Kashef also shed some insight on the importance of Colby squash in his life.
“Colby squash means everything to me. The team, the support, it means everything. They’re my family, especially since my home is far away from here. Being with them for four years now, I consider them my closest friends; they’re my family, in fact. I love them all.”
Kashef is from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and is a staple of the men’s team. In his four years, he has concisely played in the lineup and delivered signature wins for the team. In Kashef’s first two years on the team, he dealt with injuries that hindered his play but he has stepped up, big in his upperclassmen years on and off the court.
Another member of the team who has faced serious setbacks and defied all odds has been Castillo. Castillo has been a captain on the team for the past two years and has come back from a serious motor vehicle accident in his junior year to make it back on the courts and tally wins for his squad. He showed this versus Bowdoin, winning three to love. A combination of poise and power, Castillo ends his regular season with an inspirational tale and dominant win.
As the match went on, all eyes eventually moved to court one, where Lee closed out the day with a three-to-one set win. A captain on the men’s team, Lee is the most accomplished player in program history. He has played No. 1 for Coby in all his years and has been consistently dominant. His legacy will be remembered for years to come.
The Mules prepare for one final tournament, the 2025 College Squash Nationals in Philadelphia.
~ Julian Cangieter-Hernandez `25
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