September 23, 2010

Harvard's 2010 National Champions Honored at Fenway Park

Photo of Harvard's 2010 national champions courtesy of Harvard Athletic Communications.

BOSTON – After winning national championships last season, several current and former Harvard student-athletes were honored at Fenway Park during "Harvard Night" at the ballpark during a pre-game ceremony Wednesday evening.

Prior to the Boston Red Sox's game against the Baltimore Orioles, the Harvard women's squash team, which went undefeated in 2010, en route to the College Squash Association national championship, was honored along with CSA individual champions Colin West '10 and Laura Gemmell '13.  In addition, J.P. O'Connor '10, who won the NCAA wrestling title at 157 pounds, and Caroline Vloka '12, who captured the NCAA championship in fencing with the sabre, were celebrated in the ceremony.

Harvard University President Drew Gilpin Faust threw out the ceremonial first pitch, as several dignitaries and members of the Harvard community were on hand for the pre-game festivities.

The Harvard women's squash team captured the program's 12th national title last winter, downing Penn, 6-3, in the national final Feb. 28.  The Crimson posted a 12-0 record and earned the Barhite Award, presented to the team with the best dual-match record.

West won the CSA individual national championship in 2010, going 16-1 in his senior season. He also won the Pool Cup and was the recipient of the Skillman Award, in addition to being a four-time All-American.  Gemmell completed her rookie season with a perfect 16-0 record as she won the individual national title, as well as the Ramsay Cup.

J.P. O'Connor won the 157 pound title at the 2010 NCAA Championships. He graduated as a three-time All-American and the third national champion for Harvard. He went undefeated in his senior year en route to posting the first unbeaten mark in program history. O'Connor is currently training for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Caroline Vloka captured the sabre title at the 2010 NCAA Championships to become the Crimson's second female national champion in program history. She defeated Duke's Rebecca Ward, a 2008 Olympic medalist, in a rematch of the previous year's championship bout.