On February 1, 2025, Lake Forest Academy hosted the Chicagoland High School Individual Tournament, bringing together top squash players across Illinois for an intense and exciting competition. Held in LFA’s brand-new athletic gym squash courts, this tournament was the perfect opportunity for players to showcase their skills in a fresh, high-quality, competitive environment. The event featured three divisions – 5.0, 4.0 and 3.0 – allowing athletes of different levels to test themselves against intense competition. From hard-fought rallies to dramatic finishes, the tournament delivered a weekend full of high-energy squash.
5.0 Division – Hamza Jafri ‘26 Takes the Title, Astin Choi ‘27 Grabs Third
The 5.0 division, the highest level of competition, saw LFA’s Hamza Jafri ‘26, Max Bae ‘26, Astin Choi ‘27 and Louis Long ‘28 battling against some of Chicagoland’s best high school players. The matches were fast-paced and filled with smart shot-making, intense rallies, and much grit. In the championship match, Jafri took on his opponent, Virat Sharma, in a thrilling final match and came out on top, winning the 5.0 title. His ability to stay composed under pressure and execute precise shots made all the difference. Meanwhile, Choi fought his way to a third-place finish, going up against Faris Rahim from MetroSquash in a tough match. With clever tactics and determination, Choi secured the win and a spot on the podium for LFA.
4.0 Division – Parker Pollak ‘26 takes the victory
LFA was well-represented in the 4.0 division by Steven Chen ‘25, Arnav Shah ‘25, Parker Pollak ‘26 and Dora Huang ‘27, who took on a highly competitive field. Each player fought strong, pushing their opponents and learning from every rally. Pollak emerged as the champion, demonstrating strong, consistent play throughout the tournament. His ability to adapt his strategy and remain composed in high-pressure moments led him to victory, securing another title for LFA.
3.0 Division – Building for the Future
The 3.0 division included John Danaher ‘26, Patrick Wang ‘27, Dawson Ward ‘28 and Cesar Gerlach ‘28, who faced tough competition while gaining valuable match experiences. For most of them, this was their first year playing squash. Though wins were hard to come by, their effort and improvement throughout the tournament were apparent. These players are laying a foundation for future success in squash, and this experience is important to their growth.
The Chicagoland High School Individual Tournament was about more than just winning; it was a chance for players to connect with competitors from other schools, push their limits and experience a high-stakes tournament setting. The event also spotlighted LFA’s five brand-new athletic gym squash courts, providing a top-tier venue for competitive play. Hamza’s championship win in 5.0, Astin’s third-place finish and Parker’s victory in 4.0 proved that LFA players can compete with the best. More importantly, every player walked away with valuable experiences and a motivation to improve. With a strong showing at this event and the benefit of their new courts, LFA squash is on the rise, and this tournament was just the beginning.
