CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – With just over three months until its 2024-25 season opener, Harvard women's squash is proud to announce its incoming first-year class. The three members of the group are set to join the program and the Harvard College Class of 2028 when they make their way to Cambridge in September.
Caroline Fouts,
Ocean Ma and
Sarita Popat make up the highly touted class that will look to make an immediate impact on the court this Fall.
After graduating a talented group of seniors this Spring, the Crimson is excited to be welcoming in such an impressive and experienced group of young student-athletes.
"Our women's team graduated four players in the spring, including
Marina Stefanoni at the top of the ladder. The incoming class has big shoes to fill but is certainly up to the task," said
Hameed Ahmed, the Associate Head Coach for Harvard Squash. "Caroline [Fouts] has proven that she can take on anyone at the top level, having made the individual semifinal and team event final at the World Juniors this summer. Meanwhile, Ocean [Ma] led the Canadian team to the semifinals at the Worlds. Additionally, Sarita [Popat] has been training hard all year and is ready to fight for a spot in our top nine. We're very excited to welcome our three first-years to Harvard and our program."
Learn more about each of the three newest members of the Havard women's squash program below.
Caroline Fouts – Rye, N.Y. – Sacred Heart Greenwich
On the Court
- Currently Ranked No. 63 in the PSA World Squash Rankings
- Ranked the No. 1 Squash Junior at the U13, U15, U17 and U19 levels
- World Junior Championship Bronze Medalist in 2024
- Two-time British Junior Open Finalist
- Three-time U19 National Champion
- Individual Bronze Medalist; USA Team Gold Medalist at the Professional Pan American Championships
- 2021 All-NEPSAC Player of the Year Award
- Four-time High School All-American
Off the Court and In the Classroom
- Barat Scholar: Achieved highest honors for academic rigor and achievement (2020 - 2024)
- Sister Sheen Honors Society: Recognized for commitment to serving the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable (2023)
- Congressional Gold Medalist: Awarded gold medal by Congress for leadership, initiative and service (2022)
- President's Volunteer Service Award: Recognized for commitment to 250+ hours of public service (2020 - 2022)
Ocean Ma - Richmond, British Columbia, Canada - J.N. Burnett Secondary School
On the Court
- Three-time Canadian Junior National Champion at the U15, U17, and U19 levels
- No. 1 ranked Canadian junior player since 2019
- Represented Canada three times at the World Junior Squash Championship (2022, 2023, 2024)
- Led team Canada to Bronze medal at the 2024 World Junior Squash Championship team event playing at No.1 spot; finished 17th in the individual event
- Two-time Gold medalist at the 2023 Canada Winter Games team & individual event
- Seven-time National Junior Circuit event Champion
- 2019 Canadian Junior Open Champion
- 2023 BC Provincial Champion
Off the Court and In the Classroom
- Class of 2024 Co-Valedictorian
- Top Academic Student 2022
- Co-founder and President of the Sunshine Squash Club - promotes squash in Canada and fund raises for squash organizations/charity
Sarita Popat – Short Hills, N.J. – Millburn High School
On The Court
- U.S. High School Squash All-American in the 2022-23 season
- U.S. Squash Sportsmanship Award winner in 2020 and 2022
- 2019 US National Champion in the U13 Division
- Ranked in the national top-10 from U13, U15, U17 and U19
- Voted team captain at Millburn in 2023-24
Off the Court and In the Classroom
- Clarkson University Book Award Winner in recognition of her strong leadership qualities, positive impacts on her high school and local community, and proven record of academic excellence.
- 4-time U.S. Squash Scholar Athlete from 2021-2024
- High Honor Roll student at Millburn High School
