Athlete of the Week | Sankovich brings new dimension to squash

At the No. 1 position on the men's squash team, Michael Sankovich '15 is off to an impressive start. After an 11-5, 11-4, 11-2 win over Andriy Kulak of Fordham University and an 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 win over John Levering of Bard College on Nov. 13, Sankovich was named Liberty League Rookie of the Week.

Sankovich began playing at a very young age, writing in an emailed statement, "My dad got me into the game when I was a little kid." The Short Hills, N.J. native continued throughout high school, playing varsity for four years at the Pingry School before being named captain in his senior year.

As college approached, Sankovich made the decision to continue with squash at an NCAA varsity level. Sankovich explained, "I had a great time playing for my high school and figured that it would be a good experience in college as well. I felt that it would be a great way to get in touch with other students that I would otherwise never have met."

His experience playing for Vassar has not disappointed. Wrote Sankovich, "[The team is] a really great group of guys, and there has yet to be a dull moment." Sankovich described the atmosphere of the team itself as his favorite aspect, and offered that squash has "kept me more than active in my day-to-day life, and has allowed me to meet quite a few interesting people both in and out of Vassar."

So far, Sankovich's proudest moment occurred during the match against Hobart College on Nov. 20 as part of the Liberty League Championships. Sankovich noted, "It was a match that I was expected to lose, but ended up winning after a two-game deficit." Sankovich went 2-2 in the tournament, besting Corey Kabut of Hobart 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6 and Dylan Coburn of Bard 11-5, 11-2, 11-3. Against Andres Duany of defending champion University of Rochester, Sankovich lost in a valiant effort 11-8, 11-3, 11-5, the first defeat of his collegiate career.

The freshman's remarkable start to the season has not gone unnoticed by his teammates. Captain Marshall Daly '12 has been impressed by Sankovich's athletic makeup. Daly wrote in an emailed statement, "I would attribute Sankovich's success to a combination of factors including, but not limited to, determination, natural talent and a militaristic metaphysics which governs all of his actions."

Daly added that, on the court, Sankovich is able to clear his mind of everything except the task at hand. "[He] is able to disconnect himself emotionally during play to an extent that can be slightly unsettling to those unfamiliar with this tactic," he wrote. This reserve is accompanied by a quiet swagger with which Sankovich handles the No. 1 position. Daly wrote that his teammate carries himself "with the poise of one confident in his position."

Finally, Daly noted that, in addition to his superior skills, Sankovich's physical build fills a major void on the men's squash roster. "[He] brings height to a notoriously short team," Daly wrote. He added, "While this may seem trite in an individual sport, the ability to intimidate an opposing team should not be undervalued. Sankovich is a symbol of our team's towering ambitions, as well as a highly competent player."

The combination of youth and early success has drawn attention to Sankovich this year, but the freshman is maintaining a set of simple goals. Sankovich's major objectives are unrelated to scores and statistics. During the season, Sankovich stated, "My goal is to at least put up a decent fight in the [No. 1] spot no matter who the opponent is."

Sankovich's long-term goal is in the same vein. By the time he graduates, he "hope[s] to come out a better player."