BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its men’s tennis postseason awards on Tuesday and the Gusties landed three of five major awards, highlighted by Daniel Fouchier (Sr., Nootdorp, Netherlands) winning the 2023 MIAC Arthur Ashe Award. The award annually recognizes a senior men’s tennis student-athlete who exhibits outstanding sportsmanship and exemplary athletic, academic, and humanitarian accomplishments.
Fouchier compiled a singles record of 11-13 and a doubles record of 20-6 this season. The senior standout has won more than 100 combined singles and doubles matches in his Gustavus career; however, his impact has been felt beyond the court as well.
“Daniel Fouchier is the consummate leader, a fierce, positive, sportsmanlike, and mature competitor, a model student, and a young man dedicated to living a life of service,” Gustavus Head Coach Tommy Valentini said. “He plays and lives in the spirit of Arthur Ashe by focusing on what is within his control and serving others at every turn.”
Fouchier has maintained a 3.86 grade point average and been selected to the Gustavus Dean’s List for three consecutive years while majoring in International Management and minoring in Computer Science. He has also been a key contributor to the team’s participation in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraising efforts for cancer research, and volunteers to put on tennis tournaments and mentor junior tennis players in his home country of the Netherlands. Fouchier is the Gusties’ seventh MIAC Arthur Ashe Award recipient since 1999.
“It’s a great honor and privilege to have earned this award,” said Fouchier. “The Gustavus program and the philosophy has brought me a lot on and off the court and I’m thankful to be a part of it. This award is right in line with our philosophy and so it is an honor and tribute to our whole team and coaching staff.”
Fouchier also received Doubles Team of the Year honors with partner Nick Aney (Sr., Rochester) after going undefeated in conference matches in 2022-23. The tandem played at the top doubles spot for the MIAC champions and wrapped up the regular season as the No. 1-ranked doubles team in NCAA Region VII. The two put together a season record of 12-3, including five victories over nationally-ranked opponents.
Gustie Head Coach Tommy Valentini was named the Steve Wilkinson Head Coach of the Year, as voted upon by his peers. In his 14th season, Valentini guided the Gusties to a perfect season in conference play and the team’s 34th consecutive regular-season championship. This is the third MIAC Coach of the Year honor for Valentini, who also won the award in 2012, 2014, and most recently in 2016.
Four Gusties were named All-Conference, led by Jack Bergmeyer (Sr., Lincoln, Neb.) and Oscar Wilkström (Sr., Hunnebostrand, Sweden), who were selected to both the All-Conference Singles and All-Conference Doubles teams. Aney and Fouchier also picked up All-Conference Doubles honors, while Alex Budde (Sr., Menomonee Falls, Wis.) was named Honorable Mention Doubles.
Three Gusties earned a spot on the 2023 MIAC All-Playoff Team, as Budde, Fouchier, and Sourabh Terakanambi (Sr., Apple Valley) each collected honors for their performance in the Gusties’ two playoff matches against Saint John’s and Carleton.
Carleton’s Tarm Rojanasoonthon was named MIAC Men’s Tennis Singles Player of the Year, while Bogdan Vizoli of St. Olaf earned Rookie of the Year honors.