ITHACA, N.Y. — The Cornell men's squash team begins its 2025-26 campaign this weekend with a pair of road matches, facing No. 17 Middlebury on Saturday and No. 12 Williams on Sunday. Both contests are scheduled for noon starts as the Big Red look to build on last year's momentum.

Cornell enters the season ranked No. 10 in the College Squash Association after finishing last year 7-10 overall and 1-5 in Ivy League play. Ninth-year head coach David Palmer and associate head coach Mark Burke face the challenge of replacing production from the top of the ladder, having lost Aaron Liang (10-7 at No. 1 position), Arnaav Sareen (7-8 at No. 2 position), and Shreemann Raghavan (10-7).

The Big Red return key pieces led by sophomore Youssef Sarhan, who posted an 11-6 record as a freshman. Junior Syan Singh's return from injury could prove pivotal — the veteran holds an 18-11 career record despite missing significant time last season. Arnav Tevatia (7-9) and Roman Bicknell (6-11) provide additional experience.

Cornell features a youthful roster with 10 underclassmen, including six freshmen: Vedant Chheda, Aly Ezzat, Ethan Jain, Daniel King, Kaz Malhotra, and Edward Thng. Sophomores Bicknell, Grant Roshkoff, Sarhan, and Vivaan Shah round out the young core.

"We have six freshmen added to the squad and we are excited to see what energy they can bring to the matches this season," Palmer said. "We see this year as a development and rebuilding year, after losing a large senior class. Still aiming for the top 12 championship division."

Palmer pointed to Bicknell and Sarhan as potential breakout candidates. "They both had successful freshman years and will be playing higher in the lineup this season," he said. "Youssef and Roman have come back this year fit and ready to compete."

SCOUTING MIDDLEBURY
Cornell is 5-0 all-time against the Panthers, most recently posting a 6-3 victory on Jan. 21, 2018. Saturday marks just the second time the Big Red have played at Middlebury's home courts.

Middlebury, which is also playing its season opener on Saturday, is opening the campaign with a home-heavy schedule, playing 11 of its first 12 games at home. The Panthers bring back 10 returners from last year's squad and is coming off its third consecutive top-20 national finish and 10-plus-win season.

SCOUTING WILLIAMS
The Big Red hold a 19-16 all-time edge and have won 13 consecutive matches against the Ephs, dating back to Jan. 25, 2009, posting at least seven victories in each contest. Williams last defeated Cornell, 5-4, at home on Jan. 27, 2008.

Williams, who earned last year's Barnaby Award from the CSA for the most improved men's team, is coming off finishing ranked No. 11 in the country, its best finish since 2013. The Ephs will be looking to carry its 16-6 overall record and unbeaten record in NESCAC play (8-0) over into this season with 11 student-athletes from last year's team returning.