Athlete of the Week: Boys’ Squash Captain Darius Kahan

Senior Darius Kahan bounds from side to side with agility as he expertly deflects the squash ball back to his opponent. The back and forth goes on until Kahan lunges forward and parries the ball to his opponent’s blind spot, securing the winning point. As co-captain of the boys varsity squash team, Kahan leads the team of 25 together with senior Myles Haigney, his co-captain.

Kahan began playing squash in seventh grade, but it was only after he came to Exeter that he realized how transformative squash could be and became heavily invested in the sport.

Kahan is honored to play this role as the current captain of the boys’ squash team and always tries to lead the team in the most efficient way possible. Witnessing firsthand, how “Exonians are inspired to challenge themselves on the court physically, as well as mentally,” Kahan likes to guide and lead his team in his own way. “It has been my objective from the beginning of the season to lead from behind rather than in front, and I mean this in so far as guiding with influence rather than dominance,” Kahan said.

Prep Hojun Lew believed that Kahan sets an example to his fellow teammates for how to act on the court and genuinely cares about the team. In addition to boosting team morale and making sure that players were properly warmed-up for their matches, Kahan’s advice greatly inspired Lew. “He didn’t really cheer me up from my defeat, but he explained how no matter win or lose, the fact that you tried the best you can is all that matters,” Lew said.

Outside of the team, Kahan’s peers admire Darius’s leadership and willingness to always help others. Senior and fellow resident of Cilley Hall, Charlie Dubiel described Kahan as a “loyal and strong leader.”

Senior Philip Kuhn credited Kahan’s success in the sport to his perseverance. “While I’m sure a large part of that is due to just pure talent, I know from experiences with him in the dorm that when he cares about something, he is able to dedicate lots of time to it,” Kuhn said. “That is a skill I really admire in him.”

Senior Timur Luke described how Kahan would “consistently place respect and encouragement of others at the core of all his interactions.” He would take full responsibility in contributing his share to the community, a quality seen in Kahan’s role as the captain of the boys’ squash team.

“I’d say the most admirable trait of Darius’s and perhaps the one that most qualifies him to lead the Squash team is that he never prematurely judges others, and gives everyone he meets a fair chance to show their intentions and potential” Luke said.

Lower and teammate Sam Michaels agreed with Luke, noting Kahan’s “excellent leadership, unwavering dedication, and love for squash.” Michaels also described Kahan as an approachable captain, especially to lowerclassmen. “Darius has taken the role of the ‘father’ of the Exeter squash team; new preps seek him out for guidance and Darius never fails to help them,” he said.

As part of the this year’s graduating class, Kahan expresses his sentiments in leaving the team and moving onto a new step in his life. Recognizing the drastic change college could be, Kahan hopes to continue to channel his passion for the game.

One thing he knows for sure is that not only will he miss the echoes of the Fisher Squash Center but, most importantly, his coach and teammates. “The true spirit of high school squash is in teamwork, and I am forever grateful for all four generations of Exeter squash players,” he said.

Coach Frederick Brussel described Kahan’s performance to have improved throughout the season and noted that he led by example both on and off the court. “I feel Darius has been asset to the squash team and will be missed when he graduates,” Brussel said.

From the great experience of playing on the squash team for four years, Kahan knows that these memories will always stick to him. “As we students venture through our careers at Exeter, our visions for the future change and our perceptions of our own values often evolve–but there are some things that we know will stay with us for life, and one, for me, is the fond, warm memories of playing and serving on our team,” Kahan said. The squash team will also miss Kahan’s presence next year and have some big shoes to fill.