Michael Venneri ’27
Photo courtesy of Rubens Schwarz ’26
Leading the EA Boys Squash Team in another competitive season, Senior Captain Rubens Schwarz ’26 takes the spotlight as our December boys’ athlete of the month. Known for his speed and determination, Schwarz has helped guide EA squash to success in the Inter-Ac and on the national level, while also setting a standard of excellence for the entire program.
Schwarz was first introduced to squash when he was nine, as his mom signed him up for a variety of sports. In sixth grade, he began playing in school tournaments for EA’s middle school team. By his Freshman year, Schwarz was already making his mark on the varsity team, playing in the number five spot. Then, during his sophomore year, Schwarz moved up to the fourth spot on the varsity team, and for the last two seasons has been in the number one position.
Schwarz describes his main strengths as his speed, fitness, and mentality, an assessment that his teammates and coaches share. As Head Coach Lyall Paterson, who has coached Schwarz since he was in the Scozzie Squash Academy in Lower School, remarks, “I remember the first time watching him, just a super athletic kid, lean, super fast, even when the movement was very raw.” However, Schwarz’s playstyle isn’t flashy; it is instead centered around consistency and grit. Teammate James Marvin ’26, who has known Schwarz since fourth grade, says, “He just grinds and keeps chipping away at his opponents. I have never seen him give up once.” Marvin also notes, “He’s very calm… I never see him stressed out, my entire time knowing him.”
As a captain, Schwarz leads by example and motivates his teammates when needed. Marvin says, “He walks the walk, he’s not much of a talker at all, and that means we’re inspired by how he conducts himself on the court.” Co-captain Max Rutherford ’26, who has known Schwarz since first grade, points out a specific match last season as an example of Schwarz’s leadership. “I was down in one of my matches, and Rubens brought energy that fueled a comeback. Seeing how fired up he got really motivated me,” remembers Rutherford. He continues, “He is always determined to keep the rally going. He always goes for every ball,” he says.
Rutherford has also noticed how younger players frequently look up to Schwarz as a role model. “Leading the team this year and playing the number one last year too, he sets a great example for the kids that are playing in the lower positions and striving to get better,” he says. Paterson continues, “he has always been one of the hardest workers that has always given off a really good work ethic and ethos to the rest that really follow and lead from.” From a teammate’s perspective, Marvin adds, “Everyone will try just that little bit harder because he’s there,” “He’s always been a motivator to me and to all the other people throughout the four years …I think we all appreciate the example that he leads by.”
According to coaches and teammates, another defining characteristic of Schwarz’s game is his ability to perform under high-pressure environments. The brighter the lights and the bigger the stage, the better Schwarz plays. In fact, Schwarz has earned his nickname on the team, “Rub Wins,” because of his ability to always get the job done whenever it mattered most. Paterson remarks, “We always say Rubens can’t always be relied on when he’s meant to win easily…but when we get into these pressure matches, when he has to play up a level, he’s always the guy you can rely upon.” Schwarz’s ability to rise to the occasion was especially evident last summer, when he played for the U.S. U19 Singles Team in Chile, helping the team win a Gold Medal.
For Schwarz, his ambitions for himself and the team this season are clear: “I strive to be a good role model, set the right example for everybody on the team, win the Inter-ac and be the best team in the country,” he says. With the tenacity and leadership he’s shown thus far, and the success he’s enjoyed because of it, it seems that few things will prevent him from achieving these goals. His commitment to excellence is contagious, as shown in the team’s success in both the past and this season. His leadership and game isn’t always flashy, but his consistency and determination continues to shape a dominant program.
