Make no mistake about it. Being the best at something takes a lot of work and a lot of sacrifice.
That’s something that Andover’s Myles McIntyre certainly knows all about.
McIntyre, perhaps the most successful young athlete in the area few know about, is without a doubt one of the top squash players in the country.
He was ranked No. 1 in the country in the U15 division more than a year ago and he’s currently ranked No. 4 in the U17 division with the likelihood that he’ll be No. 1 within a year.
He recently returned from Brazil where he was a member of the U.S. team that got a bronze medal in the Pan American Games and he has competed in tournaments all over the world, including in Egypt, Belgium, France, Germany and England.
As a sophomore at St. Paul’s Academy in Concord, N.H., he led the team to a 16-1 record and fifth place nationally.
“He was a sophomore playing against seniors at No. 1 and is definitely one of the best players in the country,” said St. Paul’s coach Chris Smith, who helped train McIntyre when he was younger at the Union Boat Club in Beacon Hill.
McIntyre has been playing squash most of his life, starting when he’d sneak onto the court as a 4-year-old when he’d accompany his Dad, Jamie, when he played in a men’s league in the Boston area. He played in his first tournament as a 6-year-old and, after taking lessons, became one of the top junior players in New England.
McIntyre, however, wasn’t satisfied and wanted to take his game to a national level. He attended the Pike School in Andover and was seemingly headed to prep school. But to become a better squash player, he came up with a different plan.
“I had heard about doing school on-line from other athletes and I wanted to have more time to train when I wanted and I could do it at MIT with Thierry Lincol (former No. 1 player in the world from France and a legend in the sport),” said McIntyre. “I asked my parents about it and at first they said ‘no way.’
“But I looked into it more and came up with a power point presentation on all the advantages and how it would change my game and they finally agreed.”
This is where the sacrifice comes in.
To get to his training every day, McIntyre had to get up at 5 a.m. and get a ride with his father. The alternative was to take the train in later and, much as it was a grind to get up so early, it gave him more training time.
“I really feel this is when I took my play to a next level,” said McIntyre. “I got so much fitness training and learned a lot about the game. By training under Thierry, I got to hang out with a lot of professionals who would come to train under him. Being able to go to school online made it all possible.”
IMPRESSES COACHES
Lincou was impressed with his pupil’s resolve.
“Myles was always motivated and determined even for the fitness workouts, which are tough and challenging physically and mentally,” said Lincou. “He always listens and understands the purpose of every session.
“We worked a lot on foot speed and footwork. He has a great feel for the ball and reads the game well.”
Yes, it was a valuable learning time of growth in McIntyre’s squash progression, but again, it wasn’t without sacrifice, and not just the early morning departures. It was a major social sacrifice as well.
“I wasn’t very social last year at all,” said McIntyre. “I spent a lot of time with squash players and by myself. I went two or three weeks without hanging out with anyone. That was the hardest part.”
After a year, McIntyre was ready to head to prep school, rejoining Smith, much to the coach’s delight.
“I think our (prior) relationship had something to do with Myles coming here,” said Smith. “I knew he’d have an impact on our program and it’s been even greater than I thought it would be.
“He’s the hardest working player I’ve ever worked with. He has a professional training approach and it rubbed off. He’s only a sophomore but he was like a senior captain. He helped transform the team.”
GREAT FITNESS, BIG GOALS
As far as McIntyre’s style of play, Smith said that while he has all the shots and is clearly a complete player, he’s largely known as a grinder.
“He gets to all the balls and forces players to make mistakes.” said Smith. “Every time he goes to a late game situation, I like his chances. He’s so fit and determined and he doesn’t mind pressure.”
McIntyre admits that fitness and endurance are his strengths as a player but he’s “Always trying to improve on my attacking shots” and tweak his serving. Anything that will help him reach his long term goals is on the table.
“My goal is to be No. 1 in each age group (nationally) as I get older — I’ve done it so far,” said McIntyre. “I also want to play for the best college I can.”
The best schools for squash include Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, the University of Virginia, Trinity College and his current dream school, Princeton. His father grew up in the Princeton area and there are several family links there, one being that his father’s grandfather’s first cousin, the great Hobey Baker, went there.
Reaching No. 1 on a steady basis and getting to Princeton will likely take much more sacrifice, but that shouldn’t be a problem for McIntyre.
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Mighty Myles
As a young squash player, Myles McIntyre:
Achieved Junior Squash state rank of No. 1 in every age category he has competed in
Captured three regional championships: U11, U13 and U17
Won 5 US Squash “Gold” tournaments (open to boys from across the US.)
Been ranked No. 1 nationally in U15
Currently ranked No. 4 nationally in U17
With U.S. Team, competed in England at the British Open, and Brazil in the Pan Am Games where team won bronze medal. In August, will compete with Team USA in the Battle of the Border in Toronto.
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