David Palmer

Bobcat Classic Champion

David Palmer with Bates College Head Squash Coach Pat Cosquer

David Palmer won the 2012 Bobcat Classic hosted by Bates College. But Palmer needed five games to get past 2011 PST World Champion Bradley Ball. Game scores were 9-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-3, 11-5.

L to R: Ray Tardif, Marty Cannon, Bradley Ball, David Palmer, Pat Cosquer, and Bob Grieshaber

Bradley Ball and David Palmer

Both men are giants on a squash court. Each is a solid 6'3" and they hit with great power. However, they also move so well. So fans we treated to a magnificent display power squash sprinkled with brilliantly placed lobs and drops.

Semi Final Matches:

David Palmer beat Sean Wilkinson 11-7, 12-10, 11-9

Bradley Ball beat Bradbury Thompson 11-7, 11-3, 6-11, 11-7

 

Quarter Final Results

David Palmer beat Barrett Takesian 11-1, 11-6, 11-2

Sean Wilkinson beat Eric Lamsa 11-7, 11-9, 11-7

Bradley Ball v. Bobby Burns 11-5, 11-5, 11-7

Bradbury Thompson beat Stephano Galifi (def.)

 

 

Friday night was a full evening as pro and amateur players came to Bates College in Lewiston, ME to compete in the Bobcat Classic.

 

Much of the night went according to seeding. Ball and Palmer had comfortable wins over rookies Barrett Takesian and Bobby Ball.

David Palmer and Barrett Takesian post-match

Sean Wilkinson needed to work in his victory over Eric Lamsa. However, he still prevailed 3-0.

 

Bradbury Thompson advanced due to a Stefan Galifi injury. "I entered the match with a problem from this afternoon's clinic," said Galifi.

 

"I didn't stretch, and this Bates player is good from the clinic. So, I played hard. But it was not the right thing to do. At the end, I could feel it. I had some strain in my thigh from a busy couple of weeks. Tonight, in my match it got worse."

"With some treatment, it will be fine. But I need to rest for a couple days."

 

The semi finals and finals will happen on Saturday at Bates College Squash Center in Lewiston, ME.

 

Top Bates and Bowdoin Players Join PST

Bobby Burns and Barrett Takesian Make PST Debut Tonight

Bobby Burns (L) and Barrett Takesian (R)

October 21, 2012- Former Bates College #1 Bobby Burns and former Bowdoin College #1 Barrett Takesian will make their PST debuts tonight at the Bobcat Classic being hosted by Bates College.

 

The two know each other well. Bates and Bowdoin are two elite College Squash Association (CSA) programs with an in-state rivalry. And both graduated in 2012 as the #1 squash player at their respective schools.

Takesian is from Falmouth, Maine and now makes his home in Portland where he is helping to grow the squash program at the YMCA.

 

"The PST acts as a great vehicle for the sport’s growth when it brings top level squash to emerging squash communities.  We have high caliber players and advocates here in Maine, and it is exciting for us when the PST takes notice," said Takesian.

 

" I am honored to participate in the PST events; Bobby and I have dedicated 1,000s of hours into the CSA, and post graduation, the PST motivates us to continue pushing.

 

One of my goals for participating is that Maine juniors realize that by learning the sport here in Maine, they can go on to play at the collegiate level and now, for the first time, at the professional level."

 

Burns started playing at age 8 at the Round Hill Club in Greenwich CT. At Bates, he was twice a First-team All-NESCAC and was twice voted by teammates as 'Best Teammate'. He is currently a teaching pro in residence at the Country Club of New Canaan.

 

"PST is an opportunity to continue to play competitively. Competing is fun. Winning is fun. I don't expect to be doing much of that this weekend, but the reason I've been addicted to squash all these years is because of the butterflies that come before each match and the constant struggle of everything during the game," said Burns.

 

"I love pushing myself and seeing the returns on the investment I've made in my body, my mind, and my game. It is really just a craving for war. Squash is the only way I know how to go to battle. The PST is a chance for me to satisfy that craving."

 

PST Commissioner Joe McManus is pleased to welcome both college standouts to the tour.

"As rookies they've got a tough seeding assignment this weekend," noted McManus. "But college squash in America is improving so quickly, it is becoming an important and fertile territory for our tour to recruit talented players. I hope to see Barrett and Bobby at more events this year."

 

The Bobcat Classic is an annual event hosted at Bates College. Under the leadership of Head Coach Pat Cosquer, the Bates men's and women's teams have become among the nation's elite.

 

The weekend tournament will feature top touring PST pros competing in a pro draw, along side several amateur tournament divisions. Match play begins Friday night at the Bates College Squash Center and wraps up on Saturday evening.

 

For more tournament information, please click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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