This is Kirchheimer's first career Big Ten Athlete of the Week honor.This is Kirchheimer's first career Big Ten Athlete of the Week honor.

Kirchheimer Named Big Ten Athlete of the Week

Jan. 20, 2015

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Strong Kirchheimer's successful opening weekend earned him this week's Big Ten Athlete of the Week award, the first of the 2015 spring season. This is the sophomore's first such conference accolade of his career.

Ranked No. 108, Kirchheimer went undefeated in both singles and doubles this past weekend. On Friday against No. 28 NC State, he beat 39th-ranked Nick Horton 7-5, 6-4 playing at No. 3. 

On Sunday at No. 19 Vanderbilt, he and Fedor Baev blew past their doubles opponents to win 6-1 at No. 2.

Kirchheimer then turned in an extraordinary performance in singles at No. 3. After dropping the second set, he rallied back to defeat Kris Yee 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (2) and force the 3-3 tiebreaker. The 'Cats ultimately pulled through to win the match 4-3.

Northwestern rose from No. 34 to No. 28 this week in the ITA team rankings. The 'Cats travel to the ITA Kick-Off Weekend in Norman Okla. this weekend, and will take on No. 58 Arkansas on Saturday at 10 a.m. Their Sunday match will be against No. 2 Oklahoma or No. 56 New Mexico.

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