Nov. 13, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The Northwestern men's tennis team will close out its fall season when it sends all nine members to the 2003 Big Ten Singles Championship Nov. 15-17 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
"This is always an exciting weekend, because everyone of our players going in has an opportunity to win the title of Big Ten champion," said head coach Paul Torricelli. "I am really glad we have maintained the tradition of this tournament and with it moving to November, it has given us a great way to end our fall season."
In first round action on Saturday, No. 3 seed Tommy Hanus (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) is scheduled to compete against Wisconsin's Ward Bortz, and No. 9-16 seed Chuck Perrin (Atlanta, Ga./The Walker School) has to contend with Wisconsin's Jordan Raemisch.
"Tommy and Chuck had solid performances at the ITA Regionals last month, and I see them doing the same here," said Torricelli. "Either of them could be a factor and they are both eager to prove themselves."
Also in the main draw of 64 will be Adam Schaechterle (Oconomowoc, Wis./Kettle Moraine), who faces Michigan State's Eric Simonton; Christian Tempke (Wentorf, Germany/Gymnasium Lohbrugge), taking on Ohio State's Ben Kirksey; Matthew Christian (Troy, Mich./Brother Rice), paired against Ohio State's sixth-seeded Dennis Mertens; and Jamie Friedland (Glen Cove, N.Y./St. Stephen's), who will try to take down Michigan State's No. 2 seed Andy Formanczyk.
The three remaining Wildcats will compete in the 7-9 draw. Willy Lock (Lima, Peru/Markham College) will face Michigan's Josef Fischer; Justin Hoeveler (Ross, Calif./The Branson School) has a bout with Purdue's Scott Warner; and Ahmed Wahla (Lahore, Pakistan/Lahore American School) has a first-round bye.
Second-round competition will immediately follow the conclusion of the first round Saturday. The Round of 16 and quarterfinals will then be held Sunday, while the semifinals and finals will take place Monday.