Runa Reta - Penn Senior photo © 2003 Debra Tessier

Runa Reta - Penn #1

Catching up with Runa Reta

The University of Pennsylvania saw their first Howe Cup title in 2000. With the departure of coach Demer Holleran and four All-Americans in the classes of 2000 and 2001, the Quakers have been faced with some rebuilding. This season marked their surge back into prominence as the Penn squad tore up the rankings to finish the season at #4. Leading the team through the storm, and recording a great deal of success herself, is Senior and Captian Runa Reta.

The Ottawa native has finished as a first team All-American each season since her freshman year. She is currently ranked #2 in the individual rankings behind Trinity’s Amina Helal, the 2002 champ. This season may be her most successful to date, as she has taken wins over every other player in the top six. She defeated Yale Freshman Michelle Quibell, Princeton Freshman Ruchika Kumar, Harvard Junior Louisa Hall, and Helal in dual matches. She also claimed a win over 2002 individual finalist, Lynn Leong from Trinity in the semifinals of the Constable Tournament.

Reta goes into the CSA Individual Championships as the second seed, with her best chance yet at capturing the title. Helal has won their last two meetings, at the Constable and the Howe Cup, in close 3-1 decisions. Reta thrives on the challenge and looks forward to her last college matches and the beginning of a professional squash career. However, if the International Relations major does win, she won’t know where to put the trophy.

SquashTalk: How did you end up at Penn from Ottawa?
Runa Reta: I was recruited my junior year of high school, which is the first time that I even realized that I had the opportunity to go to college in the US. Obviously, having the chance to attend an Ivy League school (and play squash at a competitive level in college) weighed heavily in my decision to come to the US.

Runa Reta versus Lynn Leong photo © 2003 Debra Tessier

ST: Can you outline some differences between your training at Penn and what you were, or would be, doing at home?
RR: When I’m at home, I can focus more on my own game because there aren’t 8 other girls to look out and make sacrifices for. I get more personal attention from my coach at home and without the hectic college schedule, I’m able to train quite a bit harder. For example, this past summer I was training up to 5 hours a day (on and off the court)- something that I can’t keep up while I’m at school.

ST: You had met success in Canadian tournaments and Junior Worlds prior to arriving in the US. Can you characterize the differences in competition?
RR: I feel as though Canadians and Americans have similar game styles, but there is a marked difference between the North American game and that of the Europeans, Australians, etc. As more and more international students attend US colleges however, there are fewer differences in the level and diversity of competition that I experienced playing internationally.

ST: What are your plans for next year?
RR: I’m definitely going pro once I graduate…unlike the impression I probably left everyone in my speech at the Howe Cup, I do have somewhat of a plan!

ST: What are your thoughts on the future of US college squash?
RR: The level of skill and ability that is brought to the game with each new class is staggering. It’s a great sign for squash, and I’m happy about that. In my opinion, the more exposure and success that squash finds in the United States, the better it will be for the sport in general.

Runa Reta stretches out photo © 2003 Debra Tessier

ST: How do you feel about the freshman in the top-10? Michelle, Amy, Ruchika… do you see a future CSA champ among them?
RR: All I can say is that I’m glad I’m graduating this year! For sure, all of these girls pose a threat and have the ability to win individuals. With so many of them being closely matched, it will make for some really exciting championships in the future.

ST: What are you expecting from this week’s CSA individual championships? Are you preparing differently than usual?
RR: I’ve been preparing like I would for any big event- getting enough sleep, drinking lots of fluids, etc. On court, I’ve been having shorter sessions, but higher quality squash…just trying to touch up on some areas of my game, hitting lots of balls, etc. Off the court, watching some squash on tape, etc. In general, I’m just trying to keep focused and keep squash in the front of my mind.

ST: I’m looking everywhere for help integrating trophies into dorm room décor, any tips?
RR: Haha, I’m the wrong person to ask about that because as it stands, two of my howe cup trophies are sitting in my locker or in Jim’s office [Jim Martel, UPenn coach] and all my other “knick-knacks” tend to get nabbed by my parents before I even get the chance to read the inscriptions! They put my stuff up around the house back home- apparently I don’t value them enough to be allowed to keep them myself!

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