Team USA made history this past summer at the 2019 Pan-American Games in Lima Peru, producing the greatest performance in U.S. history with five gold medals. All six members of the delegation, Todd Harrity, Chris Hanson, and Andrew Douglas, Amanda Sobhy, Olivia Blatchford Clyne and Sabrina Sobhy were recognized for their achievements on court at the 2019 FS Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships Monday evening, October 7.
Going into the Pan Am games, the Team USA women were favored to win it all. Amanda Sobhy, in her post-match interview after defeating Olivia Fiechter Sunday evening (11-4, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7), discussed how the pressure to deliver what was expected in Peru was consistently present in their competitions. For a second consecutive Pan Am Games, the three American women showed their strength and walked away as the most decorated squash team at the games.
As Blatchford Clyne put it: “For us, we were the hunted, and it’s an honor to be the hunted. It’s hard to win when you have a target on your back and it’s a great achievement to think ‘Ok we got the job done.’”
In an unprecedented first for Team USA, the men also left Peru decorated with two gold medals. Not favored to win, Harrity, Hanson, and Douglas went up against some of the top squash competitors including Mexico in the semifinals and Colombia in the final. Team USA had never beaten Mexico at any Pan American games before Lima, adding to the historic accomplishment.
Very very proud moment. Here is to all the people behind each of us who allowed us to live this incredible moment! Grateful doesn’t begin to cut it! @USSQUASH https://t.co/CXUYOwm7AF
— Andrew Douglas (@dougie24934) August 2, 2019
Joining the players on the court for today’s recognition was Paul Assaiante, the Ganek Family US Squash Head National Coach, Thierry Lincou, National Coach, and Adam Hamill, US Squash Director of National Teams.
The bond of this team shone brightly as they reunited on the ASB GlassCourt in Philadelphia. “I’ve represented the U.S. many times but have never been a part of a team that has won something to that scale,” said Todd Harrity, the nominee for USOPC Athlete of the Year. “It’s amazing how much a good team dynamic can impact performance.”
Pan American Games Medals:
Women’s Singles: Amanda Sobhy (Gold), Olivia Blatchford Clyne (Silver)
Women’s Doubles: Amanda Sobhy and Sabrina Sobhy (Gold)
Women’s Team: Amanda Sobhy, Olivia Blatchford Clyne, Sabrina Sobhy (Gold)
Men’s Doubles: Todd Harrity and Chris Hanson (Gold)
Men’s Team: Todd Harrity, Chris Hanson, and Andrew Douglas (Gold)
Mixed Doubles: Olivia Blatchford Clyne and Andrew Douglas (Bronze)
