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The Cornell Daily Sun (https://cornellsun.com/2004/11/18/squash-faces-first-ivy-foes-on-road/)

November 18, 2004

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Squash Faces First Ivy Foes on Road

By | November 18, 2004

This weekend the Cornell men’s and women’s squash teams head on the road for the first time this season to face the formidable trio of Franklin & Marshall, Penn, and Princeton.

Not only will this be the first league action the players will face this season, but it will also be new head coaches Mark and Julee Devoys’ first chance to see their teams on the court.

“I hope to learn a lot this weekend.” Devoy said “I am excited to see what the college scene is all about.”

This weekend Devoy’s women will face one unfamiliar foe and two daunting Ivy challenges. Both Penn and Princeton beat the women 9-0 last season — results which are not likely to be repeated this year. This time the women enter the matches coming off a positive experience at last weekend’s Ivy Scrimmages and the enthusiasm surrounding their new coach.

“We are looking to play some good matches this weekend.” Devoy said “It will be great experience for the girls to play on such a steep learning curve.”

As for the men there is nothing but high expectations and anticipation of victory going into this weekend.

“I expect us to get three wins.” Mark said “These matches are good tests early in the season and we are fired up to take it to [Penn and Princeton].”

This season the Red comes in looking to improve its ranking early and build up a successful season.

“I would like to regain our top five ranking.” junior Matt Serediak said “This weekend plays a major part in determining that.”

Indeed, both Penn and Princeton will be hard fought contests for the Red; yet, if the Red’s recent play carries into this season, they will be on their way to achieving Serediak’s goal. Last season, the Red won a decisive 6-3 victory over Penn, and, in last weekend’s Ivy Scrimmages, they pushed 4th ranked Princeton. “It is going to be a tough test and we will need everyone to play their best squash.” Serediak said “But I have faith in the guys.I think we can do it.” Both sides begin play on Friday at Franklin & Marshall.

Archived article by Matt Gorman
Sun Contributor

Related

Lee Aiming for Second Title

By November 19, 2004

Clark Kent was a big city news reporter, but for the Red, Superman is a biological engineer. “Travis [Lee] is unique,” said head coach Rob Koll. “People see pictures of him with leis around his neck from junior nationals and high school. He’s quiet and unassuming. He’s an engineer — you expect him to be carrying a protractor with him. Then he steps onto the mat and takes off his coat and tie and there’s a Superman costume underneath.” Comparing senior co-captain Travis Lee to a superhero may not be a stretch. In his career at Cornell, Lee has won a national championship and three Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association championships. He is a three time All-American, and with an overall record of 106-12, he is on pace to become Cornell’s winningest wrestler. Currently, he is ranked first in the nation in his 133-pound weight class. Despite all the accolades, Lee is not content to rest on his laurels. Last season, he entered the national tournament ranked first in the nation but after a couple mental blunders, he was forced to settle for fifth. With the bitter taste of disappointment in his mouth, Lee is determined to reclaim to the title this season. “Last year, I went into the national tournament seeded number one,” said Lee. “I hadn’t lost to anyone. It was a disappointment to me to come up short. I want to prove, not so much to anyone else, but to myself, that I can be number one at 133.” Fueling Lee’s drive for a second national title are recent comments by Purdue senior Robert Fleeger. Fleeger is ranked second nationally and vowed to avenge his loss to Lee in the 2003 national finals. “I want to be ready for him and take it to him,” Lee said. “I don’t like to say too much. I’m more of action type of person, so I’m going to leave it to the mat and see what happens.” Lee has not changed anything in his off-season preparations to avenge last season’s letdown. Instead, he split his time this summer working in the microfluids department at Kionix, working-out and recuperating from a grueling season. “I put in a little extra coming into the season,” Lee said. “But overall my program is pretty much the same. Last year, I put in the right amount of time but it was just my focus at the end of the season.” On Feb. 19, Lee will be immortalized in the form of a bobblehead doll but in March, Lee has the opportunity to enter a much greater pantheon. “He’s the best wrestler I’ve ever seen at Cornell,” Koll said. “Dave Auble was a two-time national champion back in the 1950s and is often held up as the high water mark in Cornell wrestling. If Travis can win a national championship this year, he can stake claim to being the best ever at Cornell.” Archived article by James RichSun Staff Writer
U.A. Forms Task Force In Response to Crime

By Julie Geng November 18, 2004

Article body:
The University Assembly voted yesterday to form a task force to investigate and recommend changes for campus safety, security and crime prevention. This task force was created in response to heightened interest in safety and security on campus and in Collegetown, especially in light of the recent incidents surrounding the “Collegetown Creeper.”