Team Culture, Family Define Dartmouth for the Aubes

Dartmouth squash student-athletes, senior Claire Aube and sophomore Mac Aube, have a lot more in common than being at the same school. They are also siblings.

For Claire and Mac, sibling rivalry isn't a driving factor in their success. In fact, being together at the same school, with the same major, playing the same sport has only brought them closer and made them more supportive of each other.

"When we're in season, we aren't necessarily competitive," said Claire. "If anything, we motivate each other to play better and we support each other. Whenever both the men's and women's team are competing together, I always try to look over and see how Mac's playing and cheer for him."

Mac shares a similar sentiment and is thankful to be able to play a sport he loves on the same team as his sister.

"It is really fun," he said. "We get to practice together and train together. When we're on court together, it's not so much competitive. It's just fun to get to play together. We've been doing it our whole lives."

Claire and Mac are from Rye, New York and have been playing squash since they were 10 years old. Their parents signed them up as a way to keep them busy. Aube Siblings

"Neither of our parents played growing up, but my dad started playing doubles with his friends in his free time," said Mac. "That's how we eventually got on the court."

Squash has always been an activity that has united the Aube family. Claire and Mac's siblings also play squash. While they don't play collegiately, the entire family is involved in the sport recreationally.

"We both have twins," said Claire. "I have a twin sister and Mac has a twin brother; both are fraternal. Every Thanksgiving, we always do a family doubles tournament against our twins."

Claire and Mac actually grew up going to college squash camps in New England and they came to the Dartmouth camp for several consecutive years. Both of their parents graduated from Dartmouth, although they didn't pick up the sport until later in life. Claire and Mac both recall falling in love with Dartmouth when they came in the summer as kids.

"The Dartmouth squash camp was my favorite by far," recalled Claire. "We had the most freedom to do whatever we wanted. Overall, it was the campus itself. Both Mac and I went into the recruiting process looking for a place that we would love even if we were to get injured and squash didn't work out."

Mac also loved the experience of coming to Dartmouth squash camps and took that into account when applying to schools. Both Claire and Mac knew they wanted to play squash in college because they enjoyed the competition it brought them while they were still competing in high school. The siblings really hoped to continue that passion in college.

"Mac definitely followed me… I'm just kidding," joked Claire. "We never talked about it beforehand really, but we have gotten a lot closer ever since we've both been at Dartmouth."

Mac loves Dartmouth both because he gets to play the same sport as Claire and because of the culture of competitiveness and unity that the squash team has cultivated.

"The Dartmouth squash teams have a really unique culture," stated Mac. "When I was going through the recruiting process, one of the huge benefits was that I would get to go to the same school as my sister and have her there. She has really helped me to get to know the school better and she's been a really good role model for me to follow."

Upon arrival on campus, both Claire and Mac were drawn to the attitudes of their teammates, and they were excited to contribute to the already strong team culture.

"Everyone shows up with an upbeat and positive attitude," said Mac. "It really makes a difference. When you look to your left and right and see your teammates, it motivates you because it shows you that you're not in it alone."

Not only do Claire and Mac feel supported by each other as siblings, but they also feel a family-like support system from their supportive teammates. Through all the ups and downs of being a college athlete, Claire and Mac agree that being a part of a group of hard-working teammates is what has defined their Dartmouth experiences.

"I know that my teammates are behind me and I'm behind them," said Claire. "We are one big unit, that is something that keeps me motivated. I want us to keep improving as a team and see progress from the start of the season until nationals. While there have been a couple of injuries on the women's side, we've pushed ourselves and come a long way since the first day of practice."

While both Claire and Mac appreciate the support and motivation they receive from their teammates, head coach Vikram Malhotra says it is the Aube siblings themselves who are a major factor in creating that very team unity.

"Their drive is their teammates and who they are as people," said Malhotra. "They are absolute team players; they will do anything and everything for their teammates. Both of them come in every single day trying not just to improve themselves, but also those around them. They inspire and motivate their teammates and they lead by example."

Reflecting on their time at Dartmouth so far, Claire and Mac are thankful for all they have learned and for the people they have become.

"If I could give my freshman self advice, it would be to relax a little more," stated Claire. "It's intimidating at first transitioning from being at home with your family to an entirely different world, but you learn a lot from making mistakes and from trying new things. I'm still working on stepping out of my comfort zone to try new things."

Mac and Claire agree that, while it might not always feel like it at the moment, time being a college student-athlete goes by quickly and it is important to cherish the friendships they have made and the information they learn every day.

"I would tell myself to take it easy and one step at a time," said Mac. "There are so many things being thrown at you at once. Don't rush into anything and trust the process."

After graduating, both Claire and Mac plan to keep playing squash, in some capacity, because they love the sport, and they are thankful for all the friendships and opportunities it has brought them. For now, the siblings are focused on savoring their time at Dartmouth and competing with their teammates.

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