Grace Schoenstein ’26 | Sofia Foulds ’26
Rick Chen ’24 is a well-respected, hardworking, and determined student, and these attributes undoubtedly translate onto the squash courts. Thus, it is no surprise he was made a captain for the 2023-2024 squash season, is currently ranked No. 9 in the country by US Squash U19, and is the No. 1 player on the varsity ladder.
Chen’s passion for squash started long before he began attending EA. It was his sister’s love for the sport that first sparked his interest. Knowing he wanted to compete seriously in both high school and college, Chen transferred to Episcopal after attending Methacton High School (Eagleville, Pa.), a school without a high school squash team. He has been on the EA boys’ varsity team for all four years of high school. Head Coach Lyall Patterson comments, “It’s been really fun to see Rick evolve over the years. He is probably one of the hardest workers I’ve ever come across, and he has a strong desire to succeed.”
Being captain of any team is a huge responsibility, especially on a championship-caliber squad. With his unwavering support for the team, Chen has proven himself to be the epitome of what an EA captain should be, undertaking the challenge of leading an extremely hardworking and talented team like this one. “We talk a lot about the standards of our team, and Rick is probably the strongest enforcer of that. He sets examples and leads by example,” states Patterson. He continues, “Rick is a support person for everyone else. He is the number one person people gravitate towards.”
Chen’s teammates attribute the team’s strong sense of community to the captain’s unwavering involvement in encouraging team bonding. Fortunately for Chen, he has had many sterling examples of good captainship and leadership throughout his years on the team. , “Especially when I was a freshman, the captains were very good at integrating the team and holding everyone accountable,” he says.
Under Chen’s stewardship of the team, the players have formed bonds as both teammates and friends. Sophomore James Marvin ’26 comments, “Rick makes sure everyone works on the things they need to work on…He gives us tips and shares wisdom,” showing Chen’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Marvin’s favorite memory with Chen is his decisive comeback victory over a top-ranked player from McCallie School in Tennessee. “It really got us started and set the mood going into Inter-Ac play and the rest of our season.” This win was no miracle for Chen, as he is known to be calm and collected under pressure.
“There’s a consistency every time he steps on the court,” explains Coach Patterson. He continues, “You know what you’re going to get. The level he will play at, the intensity he will play at. The concentration, the discipline, the focus. What you see is what you get.” Marvin adds, “His level-headedness really allows him to break his opponent down.”
This type of consistency indicates how much work Chen puts into his training, on and off the court. Coach Patterson adds that he rarely loses to anyone ranked lower than him, commenting, “Every two years that go by, he finishes at a higher position, which showcases just how much work he puts in.” Over the course of his squash career, his improvement has been impressive. Starting at the rank of No. 31 (U11), he has climbed to No. 9 in the country (U19). According to Coach Patterson, this kind of progression is “extremely rare” and truly shows Chen’s dedication over the past few years.
Chen and the EA Boys’ Squash team secured the Inter-Ac Championship title on February 1 with a win over nationally ranked opponent Haverford School and are now shifting their focus toward Nationals. Chen hopes to make it to the World Championships or Pan-Ams this year, and he will be continuing his academic and squash careers at Yale University in the fall. Chen chose Yale because of the team’s positive culture and environment. Patterson does not doubt that Chen will continue to be an outstanding squash player in the future, saying that “Yale landed an absolute gem in Rick Chen.”