TEMPE, Ariz. – The 2019 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) NCAA Division III men’s regional award winners were announced on Tuesday and two Gusties were recognized. Chase Johnson (Sr., Golden Valley, Minn.) was selected as the Central Region Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award winner, while Patrick Whaling (Sr., Manakin Sabot, Va.) was named both the Central Region Senior Player of the Year and Most Improved Senior.
The ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level. This award, which dates back to 1982, goes to NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO men’s and women’s players who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular, and tennis achievements.
Johnson, the No. 24-ranked Division III singles player, posted a 22-5 record in singles, primarily playing at the No. 2 slot where went 17-3. Johnson finished his singles career on an eight-match winning streak and over four years went 78-26. As an All-American and the No. 3-ranked doubles tandem in the nation with Whaling as his partner, Johnson is 29-6 this season and has posted a career mark of 86-22.
Whaling, the No. 23-ranked singles player in the nation, enters the NCAA Individual Championships with a 16-9 overall record. Whaling made the move to the Gusties’ No. 1 spot this season and has gone 12-7 at the top of the lineup. In doubles play, Whaling, an All-American after taking third at the ITA Oracle Cup last fall, is 29-6 this season and has a career record of 82-23.