Men's Squash Team Welcomes Highly Ranked Duo Into Class Of 2022

It had been a long journey back to the top flight of the CSA team championships, but Princeton was finally able to return to the top eight this past season. Head coach Sean Wilkinson welcomed a pair of incoming freshmen that he believes can help keep the Tigers pushing forward, both next year and beyond.

Howe Cheng and Daelum Mawji, two players with strong international experience, will join a Princeton men's squash team that graduates two seniors in co-captains Abhimanyu Shah and Komron Shayegan. Both Cheng and Mawji have been ranked #1 at their age ranges in their respective nations, and both could provide immediate impacts next season.

You can read more about both, as well as thoughts from head coach Sean Wilkinson, below.

Howe Cheng
Hong Kong • The ISF Academy

Before Princeton — earned the #1 ranking at both the U15 and U17 levels; currently ranked fourth at the U19 level … represented the Hong Kong national team at the 2017 Penang Junior Open and placed seventh at the U17 level … placed in the Top 10 at the 2016 Asia Junior Individual Championships … won the 2017-18 HKSSF Inter-School Championships … placed in the Top 5 at both the 2016 and 2017 Hong Kong Junior Open … placed in the Top 16 at the 2016 U.S. Junior Open … team captain of the ISF Academy team, which took third at the HKSSF team championships … earned the Sports Excellence Award and the Special Talent Scholarship … House Captain and member of the School Leadership Team.

Personal — born Sept. 10, 2000 … has four younger siblings … enjoys playing the electric guitar — he writes music with his brother — and drawing … undecided on course of study at Princeton.

Wilkinson on Cheng: We are incredibly lucky to have Howe joining us in the fall. He's someone we have believed in for a very long time, and I cannot wait to get started with him in a couple of months. He's among the top-ranked Hong Kong players, and he is going to have an immediate impact on our team. We believe the sky is the limit for Howe, and I know the guys are excited to welcome him to the Princeton family.

Daelum Mawji
New York, N.Y. • The Dalton School

Before Princeton — won the 2018 U.S. Junior Championship … ranked #1 in the US at both the U15 and U17 levels … has played for the U.S. National Team since he was 12 years old … will play #1 for Team USA at the 2018 World Junior Championships in July … won the 2017 U17 Dutch Junior Open … placed third at the 2017 British Junior Open … won three JCT titles … reached two U.S. National finals before 2018 title … two-time US Squash High School All-American … team captain at Dalton.

Personal — born Aug. 21, 2000 … son of Betty and Karim Mawji … has an older sister Ashira, who plays at Amherst … enjoys golfing and cooking … plans to study economics at Princeton.

Wilkinson on Mawji: We have had our eye on Daelum for a number of years, and we couldn't be more thrilled that he's going to be a Tiger. Daelum is the reigning U19 U.S. national champion, and he won that event coming off the back of a couple of injuries. That performance speaks volumes about Daelum's character and ideals. He's not afraid to get stuck into matches, and I think his enthusiasm is going to be wonderful for our team.

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