Sixth-year head coach Roger Follmer guided the men's team to a school-record 18-3 overall mark and a No. 14 ranking in the final poll last spring. The Bears, who are ranked third in the Central Region, made their seventh-consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and placed second at the UAA Championship.
Freshman John Watts is ranked No. 1 in the Central Region and third nationally after capturing the Central Region championship and placing third at the National Small College Championship. Watts enters the spring with a 10-2 overall record in singles.
Sophomore Charlie Cutler is ranked eighth in the Central Region after advancing to the semifinals of the ITA Fall Championship. Sophomore Chris Hoeland checked in at No. 13 in singles, while freshman Danny Levy is ranked No. 18.
Sophomores Trevis Bowman and Nirmal Choradia are ranked fourth in the Central Region after advancing to the finals of the ITA Championship. Bowman and Choradia wrapped up the fall season with a 7-1 overall record. Cutler and Hoeland are ranked 16th in the Central Region after posting a 3-1 record in the fall.
"I feel like our program is gaining momentum and respect within our region," said Follmer. "But our focus, as we have talked about from our first practice this fall, is to become a better team each time we practice and compete. Ideally we would like to play our best tennis in late April and hopefully May, regardless of what the rankings indicate at any point of the 2006-07 season."
Washington University opens the spring season Sat., Feb. 3, against Division I University of Dayton. The match will begin at 10 a.m. at Creve Coeur Racquet Club in Creve Coeur, Mo.
By Washington University St. Louise
Posted December 6th, 2006 by COBA
