St. Andrew’s High senior Alexander Dartnell, a two-time national champion and the top-ranked U.S. junior player in squash, is preparing for the World Junior Championships in Cairo, Egypt. The sport was added to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where he hopes to compete. Photo provided
By Faran Fagen
Alexander Dartnell admits that many in the United States don’t know about the sport of squash. But thanks to his recent national championship, the St. Andrew’s High School senior is serving up volleys of fame at his school and around his home in eastern Delray Beach.
“Squash is very underrated,” said Dartnell, 18. “Many people in Florida haven’t even heard of it. It’s been proven that an hour of squash burns more calories than an hour of any other sport, and I believe many people would start playing because of this fact alone.
“The sport combines strength, cardio, mental fortitude and strategy, like no other sport out there.”
During his senior year, Dartnell has performed like no other squash player out there.
He claimed his second national title at the U.S. Junior Squash Championships on March 16 in Philadelphia.
A standout on St. Andrew’s squash team — which recently secured a third-place finish at the 2025 high school nationals — Dartnell dominated the boys under-19 division as the top seed in Philadelphia, winning every match.
This victory cemented his position as the No. 1-ranked U.S. junior player and built momentum as he prepares to compete at the World Junior Championships this summer in Cairo, Egypt.
“It felt extremely deserved and satisfying to see my hard work pay off,” said Dartnell. “Throughout the weekend, I was physically and emotionally disciplined, not dropping a game throughout the entire event.”
In squash, players alternate hitting a rubber ball against the front wall of a four-walled court, with the goal of making the opponent miss or hit the ball out of bounds. A valid serve must hit the front wall between the out line, and then land in the opposite quarter of the court.
Players can hit the ball before it bounces (a volley) or after it bounces, and the ball can hit other walls before or after hitting the front wall. A game is typically played to 11 points, with a two-point lead required to win.
Dartnell grew up in Connecticut, where squash is popular, and tagged along with friends who played. He previously played soccer and tennis, but quickly fell in love with squash and pursued it over other sports.
He trains at the Kinetic Indoor Racquet Club in Boynton Beach under Coach Wael El Hindi. Almost all of his events are played in other states and countries, which leaves his circle of friends at St. Andrew’s in Boca Raton watching his matches on livestream video.
The travel takes its toll, but that is worth the price to Dartnell.
“It’s difficult because of the number of events and activities I have in and out of school, especially in the second semester,” Dartnell said. “Nevertheless, I try my best to stay disciplined academically and attend as many school events as possible.”
Dartnell enjoys math and economics, and his hobbies include scuba diving, fishing and hanging out with friends.
At the beginning of his junior year, he committed to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In the fall, he will begin his next chapter studying finance and entrepreneurship. He’s drawn to investment banking — assuming professional squash is not an option.
Squash recently was added to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, and he views himself as a serious contender.
Should he make it to L.A., his parents will be there to continue their support.
“Alexander has been obsessed with any ball, large and small, since he started walking at 9 months old,” said his mom, Sabine Dartnell. “His innate focus and discipline combined with an extraordinary sense of spatial relations has helped him develop into this outstanding athlete. We could not be prouder.”
As for Alexander, he’s happy that more sports fans are finding out about him — and squash.
“It’s such a great combination of everything you want in a sport,” he said. “The most challenging aspect of squash is mental consistency. Squash requires a lot of cardio and maintaining mental composure; to follow your strategy when you’re tired can be incredibly challenging. It’s just an amazing workout.”
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