Imagine, for a moment, what it would be like if the United States actually were a force in international squash. Since we are going there, imagine further that you are a player on the US National team, and you are headed to the Dominican Republic for the Pan American Games.
Imagine what it would be like to arrive in the capital city of Santo Domingo and have many of the other athletes on the US delegation (almost 700 in total) know something about squash and not think it was lacrosse (do any of the rest of you get that one?) or just a vegetable. Imagine that the team you are on is so close that it feels like a family, which makes sense since every member of the team has at least one other family member who plays squash.
Imagine that you are the top US woman, and your name is Latasha Khan. Imagine that you are seeded number two in the individual tournament and that you have never beaten the number one seed, Melanie Jans of Canada. You have played her thirteen times and you have lost every single time. Imagine that you make the finals and one of your sisters and your cousin are in the crowd. Imagine that with all these pressures, you manage to play the match of your life and beat your longtime nemesis. Imagine standing on the podium, hearing the National Anthem, and having your cousin – who happens to be named Jahangir Khan and is the best player ever to have picked up a racquet – place your gold medal (the first for the US) around your neck. Imagine trying to not to cry.
Imagine now that your name is Preston Quick, and earlier this year, you won the national championship by upsetting Damian Walker only days after being hurt in a car accident. Imagine that you go to Santo Domingo with reasonable expectations, but you once again stun everyone with one of the biggest upsets in Pan Am squash history by taking out the number-three seed, Argentina’s #1, in the quarterfinals. Imagine that you do it again after being injured; you twist your ankle in the fourth game, but somehow win in the fifth. Imagine icing that ankle in the trainer’s trailer back in the Village, and calling your father (former USSRA prez, Taylor) to tell him that you just won the first men’s medal in Pan Am history (a bronze). Imagine your father breaking down with pride, but then laughing as he tells you that maybe you should get hurt more often. Thanks, Dad.
Imagine that you are still Quick (and quick), your name is Meredeth (you are Preston’s sister), and your match against Canada is considered the crucial one in the gold medal team match. Imagine that you are the first match on court and that you are feeling the pressure. Imagine that the situation overwhelms you after you drop the second game to go down 2-0, and you find yourself near tears between games. Imagine regaining control, putting aside your emotions and coming back on court to slowly but steadily reel your opponent back in. Imagine the feeling as you put her away and win in five glorious games. Imagine feeling tears a second time, this time from relief, happiness and pride.
Imagine that you are Damian Walker, the oldest #1 player in the tournament, and despite needing back and hamstring treatment every day and playing against the best players in every match, you win the majority of your matches and help the men’s team finish fifth overall. Imagine that you are Tim Wyant, the Executive Director of New York’s City Squash, and in your spare time you shock many by making the team by beating a player who in 2002 signed his emails “2003 US National Champion” (hint: it was not Quick, the actual ’03 champ), and you play some of the best squash of your life at the Games. Imagine that you are Louisa Hall, Harvard #1 and unofficial team translator and goodwill ambassador; your easy smile, however, belies the toughness that you show in winning match after match, helping the team take the gold.
Imagine, finally, that you are coaches Paul Assaiante and Sharon Bradey and you have coached your respective teams many times, hoping to bring the US into elite status. Imagine your satisfaction as you watch the US team, your team, actually become a force in international squash.
Imagine that.
