2/23/2020

At the 2020 HEAD U.S. High School Division I Team Championships on Sunday, Brunswick won its fifth national title in the last six seasons, besting Episcopal Academy, 7-0. The Division 1 tournament victory also gives Brunswick the Justi Cup for the fifth time.

With five national titles, the Bruins now hold the highest number of school team championships, while Episcopal is in second place with four. Adding more history, the 7-0 win in the finals is the first-ever sweep in the championship round in the 16-year history of the tournament.

While the Bruins add a fifth national championship to their trophy case, it will be the final national championship for 35-year head coach Jim Stephens, as the longtime leader is retiring at the end of the school year. Brunswick won its four other titles in 2019, 2018, 2016 and 2015.

After winning his fifth and final national title on Sunday, Stephens said, “I am so proud of all the Brunswick squash players. They won the national championship today with great determination, perseverance and effort. They did it the right way.”

In the finals, Brunswick’s Mac Aube gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead with a three-game sweep at #4. Moments later, Brian Leonard made it a 2-0 contest with a four-game victory at #3.

In the best-of-seven event, Pierce Henderson’s sweep at #5 set the table for Dana Santry to try and clinch the title at #2. Santry was up to the task, posting another three-game sweep to seal the championship, 4-0.

After the securing the title, three more contests were played. Brunswick’s Patrick Keller won a four-game match at #6, #1 Nick Spizzirri won a four-game match, and Coulter Mackesy closed out the championship with a 3-0 win at #7.

(team photo: contributed by Pam Keller)

Author: Joseph Early   E-Mail: jearly@brunswickschool.org