OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The game of squash isn’t among the most popular sports. McDonogh School's Alastair Cho thinks that’s just fine.
“Squash is such a unique sport. Most people have never heard of it, but if you get on court it’s just you and your opponent in this little box,” he said. “The whole game is strategy.”
That’s perfect for the senior.
The captain of the Eagles’ squash team has McDonogh competing in back-to-back Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association championships. He’s also won individual MIAA titles. He’s All-MIAA and All-American.
“You can be however tough, however physical, but ultimately it comes to the mental aspect of the game, which I really like,” Cho said.
He’s currently ranked 16th in his age group nationally and has been as high as 10th.
“There’s never any point in time where it’s not a pleasure and a joy to be coaching him,” said McDonogh Squash Coach Omar Sobhy. “There’s never any point in time where I don’t feel like Alastair is giving every ounce of what he’s got on the court, too.”
Alastair also plays tennis for McDonogh.
Off the court, he thrives in the classroom.
He’s captain of McDonogh’s 'It’s Academic' trivia team. He earned best delegate at the Columbia University Model United Nations Conference.
He said he learned his work ethic from his family.
“By watching them and following their example, I’ve seen what it means to put 100 percent and really work to improve yourself in every aspect,” Cho said.
This fall he’ll attend and play squash at Princeton University.
“I’m very excited to be able to go to such a prestigious institution," Cho said. "It has great academics. It has a great squash team, just a great atmosphere, so I’m really excited to see what I can do there.”
So are we.
Congratulations Alastair Cho. You’re this week’s M&T Bank Student Athlete of the Week.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
