April 17, 2008
Contact: Mike Christie, Assistant Commissioner

USA South Men's Tennis Awards Announced

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for men's tennis. A total of 23 student-athletes have been named to the teams. Christopher Newport University's John Mook has been named the Player of the Year and his coach, Rush Cole, the Coach of the Year while N.C. Wesleyan's Antti Saari is the Rookie of the Year. Also, for the first time, the USA South recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team, consisting of one member from each competing school. All honors are determined by votes from the men's tennis coach at each institution. 

Mook, a senior from Potomac Falls, Virginia, playing at the number-one singles position during league play, was undefeated against USA South opposition, posting a 6-0 record. Playing at various positions throughout the season, Mook earned a 15-2 overall singles mark. In number-one doubles, Mook, along with teammate Eddie Glidewell, posted a 17-2 overall record and a 6-0 mark during USA South play. For his efforts this season, Mook earns first team all-conference honors for the fourth consecutive spring. Finally, Mook earned USA South Player of the Week honors three times this season.

A freshman from Lahti, Finland, Saari compiled an 11-2 overall record with a 4-2 mark in USA South action while at the number-one singles position for the Bishops. In doubles action, Saari teamed with Brandon Coleman to earn a 9-4 overall record and a 3-3 conference mark at the number-one position. For his efforts this season, Saari earns first team all-conference honors. Finally, Saari earned USA South Rookie of the Week honors three times this season.

Cole, in his 12th year at the helm of the Captains, receives his fourth-career USA South Men's Tennis Coach of the Year honor. Cole helped guide Christopher Newport to a 17-3 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in conference play which earned the Captains their third consecutive regular season league title. The championship is the program's 12th all-time.

Player of the Year
John Mook - Chris. Newport

Rookie of the Year
Antti Saari - N.C. Wesleyan

Coach of the Year
Rush Cole - Chris. Newport

The 2008 USA South Men's Tennis All-Conference Teams follow:

First Team Chris Fletcher - Methodist Eddie Glidewell - Chris. Newport John Mook - Chris. Newport Erick Ocampo - Averett Antti Saari - N.C. Wesleyan David Sutton - Greensboro	Second Team Brandon Brown - Ferrum Marcelo Diaz - Averett Dylan Knox - Methodist Dusty Nelson - Chris. Newport Xavier Ruiz - Averett Lorenzo Sison - Chris. Newport
Honorable Mention Jarrod Bogard - Methodist Ricky Connor - Chris. Newport Mike Harrison - N.C. Wesleyan Cody Jarrell - Shenandoah Kevin Repper - Chris. Newport Matt Smith - N.C. Wesleyan	All-Sportsmanship Team Jeff Imgrund - Averett Eddie Glidewell - Chris. Newport Matt Mellone - Ferrum Zach Bruff - Greensboro Chris Fletcher - Methodist Kalpesh Patel - N.C. Wesleyan Travis Dohm - Shenandoah