skip navigation

New Wrestling & Squash Coaches Join The Haverford School’s Athletics Team

By PSD Staff , 08/19/16, 10:30AM EDT

Share

HAVERFORD, PA - Starting in the fall of 2016, The Haverford School community will be welcoming two new head coaches to athletics starting in fall 2016.

Gregory Hagel will be taking over for Bruce Kennett as head wrestling coach. During his more than two decades as head coach, Kennett guided the wrestling team to a 306-127 record, four Pennsylvania Independent School Tournament titles (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006), and six top-10 placings at Nationals. Hagel comes to The Haverford School from The St. Paul’s School in Maryland. In 2016 his team finished third at the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) tournament and had five Maryland Independent School State Finalists. Hagel has three former wrestlers competing in Division 1 programs and two others currently committed to Division 1 programs.

“I am excited to embark on this new journey at The Haverford School. With such a rich athletic and academic tradition, it is a true honor to join Haverford's community as a teacher and coach,” said Hagel. “Bruce Kennett has been a staple among successful high school wrestling coaches, and I am excited to continue his great work toward developing Haverford into a premier high school wrestling program.”

Hagel had successful high school and college wrestling careers. He was nationally ranked while at Blair Academy and at Northwestern University he was top 25 in his weight class for four years.

Hagel graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science in communications studies. In addition to coaching at The Haverford School, he will be working in the Middle School Learning Center and teaching in Middle School English and History.


Asad Khan, The Haverford School’s new director of squash programs.As Director of Squash at The Haverford School he will be overseeing all Squash programs and utilizing facilities for internal growth - photo courtesy of The Haverford School

“Greg is a young yet experienced wrestling coach,” said Athletic Director John Nostrant. “We are excited to have someone with his enthusiasm and expertise to run our program.”

The Haverford School Squash team will welcome Asad Riaz Khan to the Upper School as the new director of squash programs. Coach Khan will be moving up from the Middle School and taking over for Andrew Poolman who has lead the squash program to new heights over the past several years, both locally and nationally.

Leading the Middle School squash team to back-to-back national finals, coach Khan will now focus on maintaining the squash team’s local dominance and try to bring a national title home to 450 Lancaster Avenue. 


Greg Hagel, The Haverford School’s new head wrestling coach - photo courtesy of The Haverford School

“Asad brings a wealth of knowledge about the game,” said Athletic Director John Nostrant. “And the fact that he has worked at Haverford and understands the mission and culture of the School will make him a great fit.”

“It is an honor to be a part of Haverford’s highly skilled, experienced, and accomplished coaching staff,” said Khan. “I am looking forward to working with a group of exceptionally talented squash players. I am excited to help them push their limits and inspire to improve their unity, confidence, leadership, humility, and most importantly sportsmanship – to achieve success in squash and in life. I could not be more thankful for this opportunity."

Khan was the top ranked player in Pakistan as U12, U17, and U19. While attending Denison University he was their No. 1 for all four years. Locally, Coach Khan was the Philadelphia Squash Racquets Association (PSRA) A-league champion in both 2009 and 2010.

Coach Khan graduated from Denison University with a B.A. in media technology and arts and economics.