W. Squash lands four on All-American team after Individuals

Training with birds, bugs and mice is a unique approach to improving one's squash game. While most of her competitors spent the summer training for a long, grueling season, Penn senior and women's squash team co-captain Jessica DiMauro spent her summer in Costa Rica doing field work for Penn Biology Professor Daniel Janzen. While DiMauro might have taken steps towards securing her future in conservation biology, her actions may have hindered her attempt to capture her second national title at the Intercollegiates, hosted by Penn at Ringe Courts from March 5-7. As a freshman in 1995-96, DiMauro went 21-1 for the Quakers on her way to winning the national title. DiMauro followed that title by losing in the finals in both her sophomore and junior seasons, but she had hoped to bookend her squash career with a second title. After a dominating 3-0 victory over Trinity No. 1 Janine Thompson in the quarterfinals, No. 4 seed DiMauro fell 3-2 in the semis to eventual champion Julia Beaver of Princeton, the No. 1 seed. "I definitely do not think that I played my best this year but under the circumstances it was the best I could do," DiMauro said. "I spent all summer in Costa Rica and I basically spent the rest of the season trying to make up ground that I had lost during the summer. "I have no regrets though because competitive squash isn't really in my future but what I did this summer is. It is kind of unfortunate it happened that way, but that's the way it worked out. I wouldn't have changed anything." Some, including Penn coach Demer Holleran, would contest the claim that summer training is what makes a champion in March. "Jessica played with more enthusiasm and spark than she had all season," Holleran said. "I think having that kind of desire and inspiration and push throughout is what is going to allow one to create the big wins. The big wins take a long course of training and preparation." Although DiMauro may have been hurt by her lack of practice time this summer, this may simply have been a case of running into a superior opponent. In DiMauro's two previous finals appearances she was ousted by players to whom she had never lost. Beaver, however, has always seemed to have DiMauro's number. DiMauro has lost to Beaver in each of their collegiate match-ups. Beaver, a sophomore, posted a remarkable undefeated season this year. "This is the first time that I can honestly say I worked as hard as I could have and couldn't have beaten her on that day," DiMauro said. "She was definitely the better player." DiMauro was just one of the Quakers whose talents were showcased at the Intercollegiates. Penn left the tournament with two first-team All-Americans, DiMauro and fellow semi-finalist, junior Katie Patrick. Sophomores Helen Bamber and Lauren Patrizio were named second-team All-Americans. According to Holleran, this is the most All-Americans for one season in Penn squash history. Although Patrick and DiMauro stole the show by reaching the semi-finals, Patrizio was one of the most impressive Quakers at the event. Playing fourth on the ladder all season for talent-rich Penn, Patrizio was often relegated to playing weaker opponents during team dual matches. Given a chance, however, she showed this weekend that she can hold her own with the top athletes in the country. Entering the tournament unseeded, Patrizio defeated Dartmouth No. 1 Laurie Sykes and Yale No. 2 Loren Smith en route to 17th place overall. "I think it's a good opportunity to play people you don't normally get to play, and it allows you to compare yourself as an individual to other players," Patrizio said. "I was really focused and well-prepared, and I wanted to end on a good note. It gives me confidence to work hard this summer and continue to improve in preparation for next season."