Olivia Blatchford Clyne was honored at the FS Investments U.S. Open with the 2017 United States Olympic Committee Athlete of the Year Award nomination. Rich Wade, the Senior Director of National Teams and Certifications, introduced Blatchford Clyne to a rousing ovation on the ASB GlassCourt.
Blatchford Clyne, a twenty-five year-old Wilton, Connecticut-native, had a remarkable 2017. She jumped from world No. 27 in January to world No. 12 in December and won her first National Singles title to go with her four U.S. junior age-group titles.
Blatchford Clyne has been supported by the US Squash Elite Athlete Program since returning to the pro tour full-time in 2013 when she was ranked outside of the world’s top fifty.
Blatchford Clyne first represented senior Team USA at fifteen years old during the 2015 Women’s World Team Championship.
Since 1991, the USOC Athlete of the Year has been US Squash’s highest award for outstanding achievement in international competition. Previous winners include Mark Talbott, Demer Holleran, Louisa Hall, Ivy Pochoda, Michelle Quibell, Gilly Lane, Timmy Brownell, Amanda Sobhy and last year’s honoree Reeham Sedky.
