The Gustavus Adolphus College men’s tennis team will participate in the NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Championships Tuesday-Sunday, May 19-24 at the Biszantz Family Tennis Center in Claremont, Calif. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps is the host institution. Gustavus will face Washington University in St. Louis in a quarterfinal match at 12 pm (CDT), Tuesday, May 19. Individual competition in singles and doubles will follow team competition May 22-24.
The quarterfinal field for the NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Championships is composed of eight of the top nine teams in the most recent ITA Division III men’s tennis rankings. The field is led by top-ranked and defending champion Washington University (Mo.). Also included in the field is No. 2 Emory, No. 5 Middlebury, No. 6 Amherst, No. 7 Kenyon, No. 8 Williams, and No. 9 Gustavus Adolphus.
The individual championships consist of 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams. The selection of teams and individuals for the championships is based on won-lost record, strength of schedule and eligibility and availability of student-athletes. Men’s individual selections were announced May 7. John Kauss (Sr., St. Paul, Minn.) was selected for the 32-person singles draw while teaming with Mike Burdakin (Sr., Bettendorf, Iowa) to fill one of the 16 spots in the doubles draw. Kauss (31-6) is the top-ranked Division III singles player in country and is undefeated against Division III competitors at 24-0. The duo have also paired up to post a 27-6 record in doubles, ranking first in the Central Region and second nationally.
Team Tournament Schedule (all times listed are CDT)
Tuesday, May 19
12:00 p.m. Quarterfinal Match #1 – #1 Washington University vs. #9 Gustavus Adolphus
12:00 p.m. Quarterfinal Match #2 – #5 Middlebury vs. #6 Amherst
4:00 p.m. Quarterfinal Match #3 – #2 Emory vs. #7 Kenyon
4:00 p.m. Quarterfinal Match #4 – #4 UC-Santa Cruz vs. #8 Williams
Wednesday, May 20
3:00 p.m. Semifinal Match #1 – Winner of match 1 vs. Winner of match 2
3:00 p.m. Semifinal Match #2 – Winner of match 3 vs. Winner of match 4
Thursday, May 21
2:00 p.m. Third-Place Match
3:00 p.m. National Championship Match