Nichols Juniors Sweep City Squash Championships

In a city where winter sports usually conjure images of frozen ponds and hockey rinks, two Nichols School juniors are proving that some of the most intense competition in Western New York happens inside a four-walled court.

Fin Greene '27 and Cordelia Hsu '27 recently achieved a rare feat: winning their respective gender’s Buffalo Squash Singles Championships. These weren't just school-level trophies; these tournaments are open to any player in the region, regardless of age or experience. By outlasting fields of seasoned adults, former college stars, and veteran club players, Fin and Cordelia have officially staked their claim as the top singles players in Buffalo.

Fin Greene: Strategy Over Seniority

For Fin Greene, the path to the title went through a familiar face: Trey Denman '21, a former college player at St. Lawrence and a current assistant coach at Nichols. Facing an older opponent with a deep "stranglehold on the game" required a mental shift from power to precision.

“I played him many times before,” Fin noted. “He’s an older guy and has been out of college for a few years. I was thinking he’s lost a lot of stamina. My goal was to just kind of keep the ball in play, tire him out, and make as few errors as possible.”

The strategy worked to perfection. Fin estimates he made only two or three errors during the entire championship match. By keeping the pace high and extending rallies, he turned the match into a test of endurance, one that the junior was well-equipped to win. “I feel like my stamina and endurance are much greater than his. Extending those rallies just gave me a greater advantage.”

Despite the "best in Buffalo" tag, Fin remains grounded. “Buffalo is just a small portion of what’s bigger out there,” he said. “I feel like this is a great achievement, but I am still moving forward.”

Cordelia Hsu: The Power of the "Mental Game"

While Fin was battling for the men’s title, Cordelia Hsu was staging a redemption arc of her own. After having to default her final match last year due to a scheduling conflict, she returned this year with a singular focus.

In the finals, she also faced a former St. Lawrence player who had been playing the game much longer than her. While their technical ratings were similar, Cordelia knew the match would be won or lost between the ears.

“I was more nervous about the fact that she had more mental experience,” Cordelia admitted. “But I noticed she was getting upset. What kept me going was the fact that my mental state was really good that day. I was very calm... at the end of the day, it was whoever was able to stay composed.”

That composure carried her to the championship, proving that at the elite level, psychological discipline is just as vital as a well-placed boast or drive.

The Five-Year Ascent

Perhaps the most staggering detail of their double-victory is how quickly it happened. Both Fin and Cordelia picked up the racquet only about five years ago. For Fin, the transition happened in 8th grade when he pivoted away from soccer; for Cordelia, it was a similar timeline of rapid growth.

“I feel like it’s not a surprise that I’m here because I’ve put in the work,” Fin said, reflecting on his daily training sessions. Cordelia echoed that sentiment, noting that her life revolves around a strict routine of school and sport. “When I have squash in my schedule, I make sure to get all my work done... having a schedule helps me stay organized.”

Looking Toward the Global Stage

While the Buffalo city titles are a high-water mark, both athletes are looking far beyond the 716 area code.

Fin is already in contact with college coaches, aiming to take his game to the next level after his upcoming senior year. For Cordelia, the horizon is even broader. As a member of the Taiwan National Team, she is preparing to compete in the World Junior Championships this summer, held just across the border in Niagara Falls, Canada.

“I’m really looking forward to playing in Worlds,” Cordelia said. “You compete against the top four in every country... I’ll definitely be playing a lot of really good people. I’m nervous, but it’ll be a good experience.”

A Shared Foundation

The success of these two student-athletes isn’t a coincidence. Both credit the mentorship of their coach, Imran Khan, who coaches the Nichols teams and works with them at the Buffalo Tennis and Squash Club.

As they head into their spring season at Nichols, Fin and Cordelia aren't just playing for themselves anymore; they are leading the next generation of players on the school’s ladder. They’ve proven that with a high-level work ethic and a calm mental game, you don't need decades of experience to reach the top of the podium. You just need the drive to keep the ball in play.