Sept. 18, 2012
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THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa men’s tennis team opens the fall season, Sept. 21-23, at both the Purdue Invitational and the Drake Invitational, respectively. The Hawkeyes will send student-athletes to both tournaments.
LAST YEAR AT PURDUE INVITE
Last year, Christopher Speer and Joey White rolled through the Flight C doubles title with an impressive victory against Toledo’s Terrance Weigand and Garret Cona at the Schwartz Tennis Center. Speer and White won convincingly with an 8-1 advantage. The duo went 2-0 earlier in the tournament to reach the finals match.
LAST YEAR AT DRAKE INVITE
Last year, Iowa had three players finish undefeated in singles at the Drake Invitational and concluded the tournament with a 10-1 mark in singles play. Garret Dunn, Christopher Speer and Matt Hagan each went 3-0 in singles playing for the Black and Gold.
HAWKEYES IN THE CLASSROOM
Four returnee’s on the Iowa men’s tennis squad earned the Spring Academic All-Big Ten Honor last semester. Garret Dunn, Michael Swank, Chase Tomlins, and Joey White were all recepients. To be eligible for an Academic All-Big Ten selection, student-athletes must be letterwinners in at least their second academic year at their institution and carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
DUNN NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT TEAM
This May, Garret Dunn was named to the 2012 Capital One Academic All-District team. The award recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. Dunn, now a senior from Tempe, Ariz., earned a 4.0 grade point average while majoring in finance and accounting. “Garret has developed into an excellent Big Ten singles and doubles player,” said head coach Steve Houghton. “His academic achievements are off the charts. We’re very, very proud of him.”
VETERANS BACK IN ACTION
Iowa will have an experienced squad returning to action this fall season with nine returnees, including six upper classmen. Senior Garret Dunn, the only senior of the bunch, figures to lead the way for the Hawkeyes this upcoming season.
HAWKEYE NEWCOMERS
Iowa will have two newcomers to the team this year. Freshman Dominic Patrick, a five-star recruit ranked No. 1 in the Southwest Region and No. 58 nationally will join the Hawkeyes this upcoming season. Additionally, junior transfer from Wichita State, Juan Estenssoro and junior transfer from Florida State, Brian Alden.
HEAD COACH Steve Houghton
Steve Houghton, the dean of Big Ten tennis coaches, is in his 32nd year as head coach of the Hawkeyes. He has compiled a career record of 332-363 (.478), recording the most wins of any coach in Iowa men’s tennis history.
QUOTING HEAD COACH Steve Houghton
“We are excited to start off the fall season with these two events. Both the Drake and Purdue Invitational will be a great opportunity to get a lot of guys, both new and old, a lot of playing time.”