Runner-Ups and Also-Rans

Kudos to NorCal's notable players reaching the rarefied pinnacle to become National Champs!  They are worthy of the accolades and deserve to bask in the glory.  They became the sport's definitive gladiators

Annual yearbooks are chock-full of stories of winner's accomplishments; their well-earned reputations now secure as a result of their winning ways.

But in the following breath, hardly a mention is paid to the sagas of the finalists, the runner-ups; the player in second place; the next-best player; the player with the consolation prize; the silver medalist.

It's a shame really.  They deserve better.

With each tournament, the same number of matches are played by both finalists; the same striving effort is given; the same amount of preparation.  But the word "finalist" represents among other words a sense of defeat, disappointment, dissatisfaction, non-fulfillment, and thwarted expectations.

All of the spoils go the the victor and a lukewarm reception goes to the unfulfilled second-place finisher.

But not from where I stand.

For the successes that I've had, I have experienced many more defeats and disappointments. The same effort and commitment was there.  It just ended with a different result.

You also-rans have my undying recognition, appreciation, and support.

Now that I brought this up

a work in progress to be continued............

an ode to the squash players who have stuck around
all winning is is an indication that you won the genetic lottery
validation that your participation and contribution mattered
human just want to keep it simple
squash is hard And anyone who gives it a try should be recognized if they stay with. But they aren’t. The recognition typically is given to the winners

Give the dedicated their due not only the runner Ups

3 great athletes despite their different MOs

Perfect storm Our era of squash in the Bay Area came into being as a result of a perfect storm. For one, hardball allowed inter generational dynamics and discussions that drove the game

We were hungry We wanted to connect


dissatisfaction, nonfulfillment, unfulfillment, frustration, chagrin, thwarted expectations, miscarriage of plans, defeat, failure, lack of success, despondency, displeasure, distress, hope deferred, discouragement, let down, disillusionment, foiling, nonsuccess, mortification, v