TEMPE, Ariz. (May 11) – The 2019 ITA National Junior College Coaches Athletic Association (NJCAA) men’s regional and national award winners were announced Saturday during a banquet prior to Sunday’s opening of the NJCAA National Championships in Tucson, Ariz.
Irvine Valley College head coach Ross Duncan was named the Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year after leading the Lasers to a 12-2 record, Orange Empire Conference title and a semifinals appearance in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) state championships. Patrick Ngeuyen of Collin College was tabbed ITA Assistant Coach of the Year.
Iowa Central Community College sophomore Colten Way was selected the winner of the Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award. Way completed an inspiring sophomore campaign after overcoming a serious skateboarding accident to offer inspiration to his teammates. In addition to his contributions on the court, Way also has volunteered serving Thanksgiving meals to seniors, helping clean up parks, working at the Almost Home animal shelter.
Other national winners included:
ITA Rookie of the Year
Frederik Oevard (Eastern Florida State College)
ITA Player to Watch
Toru Horie (ASA Miami)
ITA Most Improved Sophomore
Luke Simkiss (Tyler Junior College)
ITA Sophomore Player of the Year
Marcus Walters (Tyler Junior College)
ITA Community Service Award
Iowa Central Community College
ITA REGIONAL AWARD WINNERS
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year
Ross Duncan; Irvine Valley College (Region I) *
Dash Connell; Tyler Junior College (Region II)
Manuel Raga; Cowley College (Region III)
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year
Cody Duong; Collin College (Region II)
Patrick Nguyen; Collin College (Region II) *
TJ Carter; Hinds Community College (Region III)
Brandon Stokes; Eastern Florida State College (Region IV)
Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award
Jacob Saunders; Santa Rosa Junior College (Region I)
Colten Way; Iowa Central Community College (Region III) *
Sebastian Arce Aldana; Wallace State (Region IV)
ITA Rookie of the Year
Nick Khamphilath; Foothill College (Region I)
Mauricio Grijalva; Laredo Community College (Region II)
Sander Jans; Seward County Community College (Region III)
Frederik Oevard; Eastern Florida State College (Region IV) *
ITA Player to Watch
Younes Kodiji; American River College (Region I)
Lourenco Gasperini; Tyler Junior College (Region II)
Francisco Vargas; Seward County Community College (Region III)
Toru Horie; ASA Miami (Region IV) *
ITA Most Improved Sophomore
Miles Clark; Riverside City College (Region I)
Luke Simkiss; Tyler Junior College (Region II) *
Noel Monsalve; Jones College (Region III)
Nils Michael; Eastern Florida State College (Region IV)
ITA Sophomore Player of the Year
Leszek Mirecki; Irvine Valley College (Region I)
Marcus Walters; Tyler Junior College (Region II) *
Nicolas Rousset; Seward County Community College (Region III)
Frederic Fibleuil; ABAC (Region IV)
ITA Community Service Award
San Diego City College (Region I)
Iowa Central Community College (Region III) *
* Denotes national award recipient.
The NJCAA Championships are scheduled for May 13-17 at the Reffkin Tennis Center in Tucson, Ariz. College of the Desert defeated Foothill College, 5-1, on April 24 to capture the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) state championship.
About the Intercollegiate Tennis Association
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is committed to serving college tennis and returning the leaders of tomorrow. As the governing body of college tennis, the ITA oversees men’s and women’s varsity tennis at NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior/Community College divisions. The ITA administers a comprehensive awards and rankings program for men’s and women’s varsity players, coaches and teams in all divisions, providing recognition for their accomplishments on and off the court. For more information on the ITA, visit the ITA website at www.itatennis.com, like the ITA on Facebook or follow @ITA_Tennis on Twitter and Instagram.
