Squash is a fast game. If you've ever watched the Yellowjackets play, then you know what I mean.

But for two-time All-American Andres Duany, the sport is not all physical.

“The biggest challenge of squash is to keep a positive attitude regardless of the opponent and the conditions,” the Lima, Peru native says. “It is important to prepare your mind to cut negative impulses and switch them for positive ones. When differences in physical levels are so close, like in college squash, many of the victories are won basically because of a superior mindset.”

An economics and business strategies major, Duany knows the importance of a focused mentality in the classroom, too. For his admirable mindset — one of optimism, discipline and determination — as both a student and athlete, Duany has earned the 2012 Lysle “Spike” Garnish Award.

If it weren't for his determination, then Duany would have never come from Peru to the States. While studying at the University of Lima, Duany discovered through some friends the possibility of going to school in the US. He was especially interested in UR because of the balance it presented between its challenging coursework and excellent squash program.

“It sounded like a perfect opportunity to improve,” Duany says. “So I took it.”

Since his rookie season, when he went 10-5 on the court and dropped just one game in the ten wins, Duany has been driving himself to improve.

And he has succeeded. 

Despite injuries his sophomore year, he snagged 13 wins in 18 matches and was named to the Liberty League All-Academic Team. As a junior, he earned Liberty League Player of the Year honors and was ranked number seven of 976 collegiate players in the nation. He reached the quarterfinals of the individual championships, helped the 'Jackets defeat No. 3 Cornell University twice and enabled UR to snag its fifth consecutive Liberty League crown. In between the two seasons, Duany notched runner-up of a South American tournament, falling only to a top-25 in the world.

The key to his outstanding performances: mental preparation. Before every matchup, Duany has a long warm-up, thoroughly stretching his muscles and strategizing his game. During each match, he blocks out pressure, focuses and keeps cool.

“Coach Martin Heath is always talking about being relaxed on the court and loosening up the body,” Duany says. “The wrist and the mind allow you to play at a fast place, without losing precision, and be efficient with your movement.”

Duany has transferred these lessons to kids in Peru the past few summers — he organized a squash camp in Piura, a small northern city, and taught lessons to youngsters. In his home country, he has also gained experience in the field of market research, teaming up with a colleague to start a business.

“I enjoy analyzing people's behavior affected by incentives and money,” Duany, a member of the Alexander Hamilton Institution, says. “It is very interesting to see how decision-making can be analyzed and sometimes predicted, which is essential in order to create effective corporate strategies and optimal decisions and policies.”

Yet Duany's post-graduation options are open — he is considering playing professional squash for a couple years, attending graduate school or working in a corporation.

His goals for his senior year are more concrete. He wants to finish among the top three players in the country, and he aims for the team to advance to the final round of the nation's championships.

Winning the Nationals has been an aspiration for Duany for years. He first tried squash at age 10, and since he committed to the sport as a teenager, he has kept the goal in the back of his mind.

“Squash became addictive,” Duany says. “Training has to be complete, and it involves on-court, off-court and gym training. Basically, off-court you want to build the strength, fitness and speed. As you get closer to competition, the workout becomes more squash-specific, and we train mostly doing drills and condition games on the court. During the season, the best training is to think about strategy and apply it in real-match situations. Squash is very complete since you need real fitness, speed, strategy, precision and determination. It has it all.”