The Rye Middle School Squash program sent 18 athletes to the Middle School Squash National Championships in early 2026, a monumental achievement for the Garnets’ squash program. Three co-ed teams of six players apiece made the trip to Philadelphia to take part in four matches over the course of one weekend to mark the exciting milestone for Rye Squash.
“Students recorded strong wins, faced challenging matchups, and demonstrated determination and resilience throughout the competition,” stated a press release from the Rye City School District on Thursday. “Beyond the match results, the weekend stood out for the sportsmanship and teamwork displayed by RMS players. Students supported one another on and off the courts and represented their school and community with pride.”
All 18 Garnets who qualified for nationals play on the Rye Middle School A team, which is only a speck of the program. In total, 61 middle schoolers at RMS are a part of the squash program, a number which is believed to be the largest participation in school history. Considering female players only, and accounting for high school athletes as well, 76 girls are members of a Rye Squash team, which is a confirmed school record. The number of male players is also well above Rye’s historical average.
“With strong participation and enthusiasm across all levels, the RMS squash program continues to build a solid foundation for future success, strengthening the pipeline of talent for the Rye High School squash team in the years ahead,” the release continued.
The RMS teams at nationals were the first of five total heading to Philadelphia, with boys the varsity girls and boys A teams already en route to the City of Brotherly Love for their National tournament, which begins tomorrow, Friday, February 20, 2026.
