May 6, 2004
IOWA CITY, IA – Junior college transfers Kyle Markham and Brett Taylor have each signed a National Letter of Intent to continue their education and compete for the University of Iowa men’s tennis team during the 2004-05 season. The announcement was made earlier today by Iowa Head Coach Steve Houghton.
Both Markham and Taylor come to Iowa after completing successful careers at Johnson County Community College (KS). The duo competed as JCCC’s No. 1 doubles team, posting a 20-3 record during the 2004 season. Their 20 wins are the most by any doubles team in school history and their .870 winning percentage ranks third all-time. In fall competition, the duo earned a national ranking of seventh in the ITA/NJCAA poll.
Markham competed for the University of West Virginia as a freshman, but transferred to JCCC after the school cut its men’s tennis program. At West Virginia, Markham posted a 23-14 singles and 25-11 doubles record. His 23 singles victories were a team best. At JCCC, he recorded a 19-4 singles record while splitting time between the No. 1 and No. 2 singles positions. His 19 singles victories tie for ninth in school history and is a sophomore record.
A native of Goddard, KS, Markham registered a 132-17 singles mark, setting the record for most career wins at Goddard High School. He was crowned the 2001 Kansas 5A singles champion and was named Kansas Tennis Player of the Year. He was an all-state selection in 2002 and finished runner-up in the state singles championship. Markham was also a first team all-state selection in basketball.
“Kyle is a great athlete and will be a great addition to our team,” said Houghton. “I expect him to play high in our lineup in both singles and doubles.”
Taylor set numerous JCCC records. Along with his record-setting 20 doubles wins at No. 1, he also holds records for wins at the No. 3 singles position in a season (20), career wins at No. 3 singles (36) and career doubles wins (39). In 2004, Taylor posted a 16-7 record at No. 3 singles and finished third in the region tournament. As a freshman, he won the Region IV title at No. 2 doubles and won the consolation bracket at No. 3 singles at the NJCAA national tournament.
The Salina, KS, native was a Kansas 5A state qualifier all four years while competing for Salina Central High School. He won the doubles state championship as a sophomore and senior.
“Brett is a very highly skilled doubles player,” said Houghton. “I also expect him to be a force in our singles lineup.”
Markham and Taylor join J.P. Ritchie as members of the 2004-05 Hawkeye recruiting class. The duo also join current freshmen Ryan Reid (Leawood) and Scott Elwell (Lawrence) as Hawkeyes from the state of Kansas.