Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Tyler Odell

Each week, Marple Newtown Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. This week we highlight Tyler Odell, a senior at Episcopal Academy, who recently received the 2012 Sportsmanship Award from the Philadelphia Squash Racquets Association.

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Tyler Odell

Whiz Kid's Age: 18

Whiz Kid's School:

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: The Philadelphia Squash Racquets Association (PSRA) recently named the Episcopal Academy senior Tyler as their 2012 pick for the PSRA Sportsmanship Award.

The PSRA presents the award annually to one male and one female junior squash player who best represent and demonstrate the principles of fair play and sportsmanship both on and off the court during their junior squash career.

Tyler currently trains at The Merion Cricket Club and is the captain of The Episcopal Academy squash team that captured its fourth consecutive national high school championship along with MASA and InterAc titles.

Tyler has already committed to play squash and lacrosse at the University of Pennsylvania this fall.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Tyler started playing lacrosse about eight or nine years ago and also picked up the game of squash randomly about 10 years ago.

Tyler may have gotten his natural athletic abilities from his parents (dad played football for Williams College, mom an avid tennis player and golfer), "My dad played around with his friend but neither my parents really play" but admits, "I didn't really know anything about squash."

Additionally, the sport didn't come as naturally as one may think. "I didn't really enjoy playing squash when I first started. The first time I ever really played was when I signed up for the Merion Cricket Club's squash tournament. I got killed my first match and I told my dad that I never wanted to lose like that again."

His opponent the first time he played? Brendan McLaughlin, who became captain of the Episcopal Academy's squash team and is now good friends with Tyler.

A natural competitor though, Tyler was determined to get better and soon, he was climbing the ranks. And climb he did, winning tournaments and awards, Tyler began to practice and play squash every day with either doing solo drills or attending lessons for about two to three years since that first tournament.

Tyler, who enjoys playing both squash and lacrosse, sought out a school that would allow him to play both his favorite sports.

"I like the team aspect of lacrosse. I also like being with the team and rely on my teammates but i like the individual aspect of squash," explains Tyler. "It's all on you to perform and do well on the court."

Tyler, who was recruited to play for the University of Pennsylvania's squash and lacrosse teams his junior year, is excited to play for the Quakers this fall.

"My junior year I was researching for schools that would allow me to play both sports," says Tyler, who also plays as an attackman for lacrosse, on his decision to commit with UPenn. "And the coaches at Penn were very supportive of me playing both sports throughout all four years. I loved the team on both visits and the coaches are really nice. It's also not too far from home."

Some of the things he's looking hoping for while playing competitively on a collegiate level next year: to be able to play a little bit on man-up for lacrosse and to play top four on the squash team. And, of course, for any high school senior, to just experience college life. "Getting away from home will be a new experience which will be really exciting."

But Tyler shares his senior year will be bittersweet. He's excited for prom and graduation but leaving his friends and some of his great mentors like his coaches will be sad.

"I'll definitely miss my friends. I've had a lot of great coaches [Andy Hayes for lacrosse and Joe Russell for squash]–they've been really good to me," shares Tyler.

One motto that he's carried with him throughout the years while competing is a quote from American College Basketball Coach Bobby Knight: "Many men have the will to win but few men have the will to prepare to win."

Tyler says he will continue to follow that motto and take it with him as he competes on a collegiate level next year with the Quakers.

Editor's note: Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid. Send nominations to jennifer.kim@patch.com.