October 16, 2007

BRYAN WINS SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD, FINISHES SECOND AT WILSON/ITA NATIONALS

Gustavus senior Andy Bryan played outstanding tennis in the Division III championship match, but it was not sufficient to beat top seed John Watts from Washington University.  Andy took the first set 6-4, but Watts came back to win the next two sets 6-2 and 6-3.  Every point and all games were closely contested in a match that stretched for two hours and forty-five minutes at the Copeland-Cox Tennis Center in Mobile, Alabama.  It is the largest tennis facility in the world, featuring sixty championship courts. 

The final contrasted with shorter and easier matches in the two earlier rounds.  Bryan beat Oliver Gaines from Trinity University 6-0, 6-2 in the quarterfinals and Dan Greenberg from Williams College 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals.  By reaching the final Andy matched the accomplishments of two former Gusties.  Todd Bowlby in 1996 and Loren Collins in 2005 both finished second in singles.

In doubles Andy and Charlie Paukert won their quarterfinal match over Alex Buxbaum and Tom Kinrade from Haverford College 6-2, 6-3.  In the semifinals the Gusties started strongly, winning the first set 6-3 over the #2 seeds Michael Goodwin and Oliver Lopp from Emory University.   However, Bryan/Paukert lost their momentum, dropping the second set 6-1 and the super breaker 10-3.  In the match for third place against top seeds Charlie Cutler and Chris Hoeland from Washington University, the Gusties again lost in a super breaker 6-2, 3-6 (10-7).  The fourth place finish matched the 2006 finish of Paukert and Mike Burdakin.

Andy Bryan's outstanding sportsmanship throughout the tournament impressed the coaches.  After his final match they awarded him the James O' Hara Sargent Sportsmanship Award, which goes to the player who best displays outstanding sportsmanship and exemplifies the spirit of college tennis during the tournament.  Andy's character was evident in both his wins and close defeats.  His gracious attitude when he lost swayed the voting in his favor.  Andy joins former Gustie Kevin Whipple, who won the same tournament award in 2002.  Kevin is now an assistant coach for the Gusties and the current recipient of the Northern Tennis Association Adult Sportsmanship Award.