Bearcat Men's Tennis Team has Four ITA Scholar-Athletes

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SKILLMAN, N.J. -- Four members of the Willamette University mens tennis team have been named ITA Scholar-Athletes for the 2008-09 season, as selected by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Willamette's selections were included in the total of 267 men's tennis players from NCAA Division III who were honored for their academic success by the ITA.

ITA Scholar-Athlete recognition went to WU players Jordan Helvie (So., Boise, ID/Bishop Kelly HS), Zachary Hutchinson (So., Casper, WY/Kelly Walsh HS), Micah Mack (Jr., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) and Daniel McClellan (Jr., Lakewood, WA/Lakes HS). Helvie is majoring in Politics at Willamette, while Hutchinson is majoring in Biology. Mack's major is Chemistry (Biochemistry track) and McClellan's major is Japanese Studies.

Mack received Scholar-Athlete honors for the third consecutive season. Helvie earned Scholar-Athlete status for the second year in a row.

In order to receive the ITA Scholar-Athlete award, student-athletes were required to achieve at least a 3.5 grade point average (4.0 scale) during the 2008-09 academic year. They also had to be letterwinners on their respective teams and had to attend their current colleges or universities for at least one full academic year by the end of the season.

Head Coach Toby Krauel was in his first season at WU in 2008-09. He led the Bearcats to a 10-9 overall record and to a #14 ranking in the West Region of NCAA Division III. Willamette achieved a 9-7 record in the Northwest Conference during the regular season to tie for fourth place. The Bearcats also took fourth place in the NWC Tournament.