by Colin Regan, Sports Information Coordinator and Upper School Faculty

"Let's take care of business one more time" became a mantra that Gilman's 2024–2025 varsity squash captains, Jacob Li '25 and Parker Davis '25, shared with their teammates before each match this season. And that is precisely what the team did on February 23, 2025, at the U.S. High School Team Squash Championships in Philadelphia, where the Hounds won four matches in three days, finishing with a decisive 5-2 victory over McCallie School (TN) to win the Boys' Division II National Championship.

Coming off a fifth consecutive MIAA title just a few weeks ago, Gilman entered the weekend seeded second with a season record of 10-1, having lost only seven individual matches all year. The team began their nationals run with a match against Milton Academy (MA) on Friday, which they won by a score of 6-1. Next up was a quarterfinal matchup with The Shipley School (PA) on Saturday morning, which the Hounds dominantly swept 7-0 to advance to the semifinals that evening against third seed St. Paul's School (NH). After the first three matches, the team fell behind 2-1 but then responded by taking the last four, winning 5-2, and advancing to the finals on Sunday.

Sunday's final was a tightly contested affair from the beginning as Davis opened play for Gilman with an epic five-game match before falling 3-2. Down 1-0 right out of the gate, the Hounds once again had a response with Jacob Li '25, Matthew Chi '26, and Jack Paternotte '27 winning their respective matches, all by a 3-1 score. This gave Jonny Li '25 the chance to clinch the match and the championship for Gilman. After splitting the first two games, Jonny separated himself in the third and fourth to win his match 3-1, allowing the Hounds to clinch with two individual matches remaining. In those matches, Drew Fones '25 lost a hard-fought contest 3-1, and Rohan Jari '27 won 1-0 after his opponent retired due to injury. Once those were complete, the championship was official, and the celebration was on for Gilman.

"We came into this tournament with expectations. In every match we went into, we were the expected winner, so we went out there and did what we do best," shared Jacob on the team's performance over the weekend. "We took care of business and won matches. We delivered on all those expectations that we had on us." For Jacob and the rest of this year's seniors (Davis, Jonny Li, Fones, and Brennan DiGiovanni), this historic accomplishment was the perfect bookend to an incredible four-year run, which included four consecutive MIAA team championships.

"Jacob and Parker instilled a passion for victory and confidence into each player, which carried through every match. Individually, the players did well, yet winning out was an impressive team effort," said Head Varsity Squash Coach Doug DeSmit. "The veterans on the team acknowledge the legacy of the Gilman squash program and the influence of the high level of excellence, dedication, and sportsmanship that are a part of it as an ingredient to this season's success."

Congratulations, players and coaches, on a historic season!