Trinity won its thirteenth national title and two hundred and forty-fourth dual match in a row last weekend in dramatic fashion. It was the seventh time since the streak started in February 1998 that they’ve escaped with a 5-4 victory (2004 v. Harvard at the nationals; 2006 v. Princeton in the regular season [Atlas Lives] and the nationals; 2007 v. Harvard in the regular season; 2009 v. Princeton in the regular season and the nationals [Run to the Roar])

For a brief report on the previous nailbiters, see Vanity Fair: (http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2009/02/trinity-squash-wins-its-eleventh-straight-title.html) and for a full report, read the book: http://runtoroar.com/

Anyway, this time they won behind Chris Binnie. It is not because he is a total frickin’ rock star from Mars. No, the senior from Jamaica had just improved. When he came to Trinity, he was not the mentally toughest competitor out there, but Paul Assaiante mentored and lead him to discover a vast reservoir of emotional calm and confidence.

Unlike most 4-4 dual matches, at Harvard last weekend Binnie and Ricky Dodd went on court to warm-up knowing that their match would be the decisive one. Talk about pressure—winner take all. But in his last team match, Binnie toughed it out. The last time they faced each other, Binnie had beaten Dodd at the 2010 nationals, but it was a brutal five-gamer 12-14, 11-9, 11-8, 11-13, 11-9. Who had improved more in the past three hundred and sixty days?

Binnie won in four.

Then he had the courtesy to allow Dodd to exit before the traditional storming of the court.

This match, this sportsmanship, this leadership is coaching at it finest 

 

Watch the conclusion at: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fyyQMDN-bg)