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The road to the top was never an easy one for St. Luke's boys varsity squash head coach Ned Marks. Overweight as a teenager, Marks failed to make the varsity squash team while attending Brunswick School. But the Greenwich native was not about to give up the sport he had loved since his father taught him at age 7.
Marks trained and played squash nearly every day while attending Denison College, shed "30 to 40 pounds" and became the top player on the team. Years of hard work paid off when Marks joined the Pro Squash Tour in 2009. He will get a chance to put his talents on display for the local crowd this week in the Westchester Open.
"It's been a very humbling journey for me. It's taken a while, but it's picking up now," Marks said. "I want people to see me as someone who worked really hard to get where they are. My motivation has always been to never give up."
Despite going pro, Marks dedicates much of his time to passing on his passion for the sport to the next generation of players. Marks coached the Greenwich Academy junior varsity team his first year out of college and made the move to St. Luke's last year. He also travels to local clubs to teach even younger kids the basics of squash.
Marks is now a world-ranked player but is most excited to have friends, family and his St. Luke's players come out to see him play in the Westchester Open.
"I'm trying to tell as many people as I can to come out and watch not only me, but everyone else who is really good," Marks said. "It's so great to have an event so close to home and to have people you know come watch and help the sport grow."
Marks will play his first match in the Westchester Open on Tuesday night at 6:40 at the Club at 800, 800 Westchester Ave. in Rye Brook, N.Y.
Are you planning on attending the PST Westchester Open? Have you seen Ned play? Start the discussion below!
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