Two Alumni Stand Out at Chestnut Hill Classic

by Eloise Levin ’26

SCH and Philadelphia Cricket Club (PCC) brought world-class professional women's squash to Chestnut Hill in the second edition of The Chestnut Hill Classic, a Professional Squash Association (PSA) bronze-level tournament. After the first Chestnut Hill Classic was held in 2023, the Philadelphia Cricket Club launched a strategic partnership with Springside Chestnut Hill.

The return of this level of squash to Chestnut Hill coincides with the launch of the partnership with SCH and PCC. Director of Squash at PCC Rich Wade and his diverse team of top professional coaches inspired players of all ages to support our “hometown hero” and PCC alumna, Olivia Weaver ’14, who finished the tournament in 1st place. The tournament was free of charge for spectators, allowing many members of the community to see high-level squash in an accessible venue, and Wade has built off the success of the last tournament. SCH alumnus and College Squash Association men's champion University of Pennsylvania head coach Gilly Lane was honored with the inaugural Chestnut Hill Classic Legacy Award for the passion he brought to the Blue Devils as coach of the CHA boys squash team.

The buzz around squash in the community should give a great lift at the beginning of the season as SCH fields a varsity and junior varsity team for both high school and middle school. Off to a strong start this season and under the guidance of the PCC coaching team, SCH hopes to lift SCH squash back to an Inter-AC and national contender.