Currently, Clare is ranked 23rd in the country, with an outstanding record over the past years. Her training began playing at a local country club at a young age; however, through self-motivation and the help of her two year-round coaches, Scott DeVoy and Imran Khan, she is hoping to get recruited for squash to continue her career in college.

Clare also spent last summer in Europe in an intense group training process. The training paid off at a tournament at the University of Pennsylvania, where she finished in second place after reaching the finals. Clare played beautifully, losing in the last match against Alexis Saunders from Wilmington DE. During Shipley’s winter break, Clare traveled to Yale University to compete in the demanding U.S. Junior Championship. This event is now the largest junior squash competition in the world and draws competitors from over 14 countries. Clare is now competing in the Girls under 17 division and started in a draw that began with 46 competitors. In this division Kuensell challenged players from around the world. She had a difficult first match, drawing the number 10 seeded player, Hannah Conant, from Philadelphia. Hannah is ranked 7th in the United States, and her experience and skill won her the match. Clare then won two conciliation matches, including one against a girl from England, followed by a loss to Taylor Booth from Brooklyn, New York in four games.

Clare also participated recently in the Princeton Juniors, where she finished in 8th place. This tournament was a big milestone for Clare, when she beat two higher-ranked girls, including one player in the top 15!
 
Clare is now preparing to play against the local competition at Chestnut Hill. She continually gives her fellow teammates support on the Shipley varsity squash team. The Shipley team, composed of many young players who are newcomers to the sport, benefits from the leadership of their coach (Shannon Hazell) and captains.

by Alec Faggen ’06