Every year Taft hosts a professional squash player to train with its teams, and this season it was Mohamed El Shorbagy, currently ranked sixth in the world. During a four-hour clinic, Shorbagy challenged the undefeated Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Squash Teams to improve their footwork and their positioning even as he drilled them at full-tilt. He finished with exhibition matches against the top-two players from both the boys’ and the girls’ teams, drawing a crowd to stands that are typically empty during a regular practice.
Shorbagy, in the Northeast to play in New York City’s Tournament of Champions, traveled to Taft at the request of number one Taft Boys’ player Zeyad Elshorfy '12. Both natives of Alexandria, Egypt, Shorbagy and Elshorfy hail from the same home club and often traveled together to play in Cairo, the squash mecca of Egypt. When not on the road, Shorbagy attends business school at Muirfield in Bristol, England.
“I never thought I could learn so much in one afternoon,” said Jake Lord ’14, who plays number seven for the Boys’ team. “It was awesome,” he added enthusiastically. Characteristically serious, Elshorfy was not surprised by the pro’s impact on the team. “I have played with him many times,” he said. “He takes it easy on me.”
Last year the Taft Varsity boys were the New England Champions and finished second at the National Championship. Taft has always occupied a place amongst the squash elite. Founders League competition began in 1985, and since that time Taft has been crowned Founders League Champion 19 times.