Four Trinity Women Earn Post-Season Honors
by David Kingsley
Hartford, Conn., April 30, 2012 – Trinity College Bantam women's squash sophomore Catalina Pelaez (Bogota, Colombia) and senior co-captain Alicia Rodriguez (San Luis Potosi, Mexico) were each named to the 2012 College Squash Association (CSA) All-American Teams. Rodriguez was also one of three nominees for the Richey Award given annually to the senior women's squash player who best exemplifies the ideals of the sport in her love of and devotion to the game. Pelaez, repeated as the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Player of the Year and joined Rodriguez and first-year Natalie Babjukova (Prague, Czech Republic) on All-NESCAC First Team, while rookie Ashley Tidman (Lamor-Plage, France) graced the All-NESCAC Second Team. Trinity, coached by Wendy Bartlett (27th Season), posted a 14-4 overall record and won its fifth straight NESCAC Championship title. The Bantams were selected for the CSA National Team Championship Tournament (Howe Cup) for the 16th straight season, advancing to the semifinals with a 6-3 win over Pennsylvania in the quarterfinal round. Trinity lost a 9-0 match at Harvard before closing the season with a 7-2 triumph against Princeton in the Third Place Match.
Pelaez is the fifth Bantam in as many years to win NESCAC Player of the Year honors, after posting a 16-5 record this winter (T2nd on team in wins) in her second year at the top spot in Trinity the lineup. She finished 2011-12 as the No. 5-ranked player in all of intercollegiate squash Pelaez was a CSA All-American and All-NESCAC First Teamer last winter as well, having played into the National Singles Championship Finals to finish as the No. 2-ranked player in the nation. She has been the Junior and Senior National Champion in her native Colombia, as well as the Pan American and South American Junior Champion. Pelaez is a graduate of Colegio Nueva Grandadda, and is the daughter of Ana Lucia Casasfranco and Armando Pelaez.
Rodriguez, ranked No. 18 nationally among individuals, was 14-8 this winter and closes her fine career with a 48-15 record. A three-year starter after transferring to Trinity, Rodriguez is majoring in chemistry. She is a graduate of Colegio Champaghnat and is the daughter of Jose Luis Rodriguez and Alicia Acosta. Babjukova debuted with a 14-8 record this season. A graduate of Gymnazium Na Prazacce, she is the daughter of Marko and Lenka Babjukova. Tidman, ranked No. 25 nationally, tied for second on the team in wins this season with a 16-5 record. A graduate of Dupuid de Lome, she is the daughter of Spencer and Annick Tidman.
CSA All-American Information
Richey Award Information
Back To Main
