Pratt Community College's Men's Tennis Team is the NJCAA Division 1 National Champion! The team competed in Plano, TX from Monday, May 11 until Thursday, May 14. The team officially clinched it's title when sophomore, Kenneth Rabinad Vila, and Freshman, Sam Dinneen clinched the Flight 1 Doubles title. This is the first team National title for the program in 65 years (1961).
In the 9 flights at the tournament, Pratt took home individual National Championships at 3 flights, finished as Runner-up in 3 flights, had 2 Semi-Finalists, and won the Consolation draw in the final flight. The team's overall record at the tournament was 19-6. Head Coach, Jeret Johnson, was presented with the Max Grubbs Coach of the Tournament award.
The team's national champions include Kenta Kawada, who was able to defend his title at #4 singles, Tiaan Clark Nelson, who won his title at #5 singles, and the doubles pairing mentioned in the first paragraph. Kawada is the first repeat National Champion in the history of PCC tennis. Nelson joins a select group as only the 4th player to win a singles National Championship at Pratt. Kenneth and Sam's doubles National Championship is the first in the program's history as well. Kenta dn Edward Westfall were the only two players in the tournament to make both a singles and a doubles final.
At the ITA Awards Banquet on May 10, Coach Johnson was also honored with the Regional and National Coach of the Year awards. Assistant Coach, Eli Truhe, won Regional Assistant Coach of the Year.
Along with their National Championships, 9 Beavers were honored with NJCAA All-American status. Kenta Kawada (Singles), Tiaan Clark Nelson (Singles), Sam Dinneen (Doubles), and Kenneth Rabinad Vila (Doubles) were awarded 1st team All-American. Edward Westfall (Singles and Doubles), Thiofhi Tshivhase (Doubles), Kenta Kawada (Doubles), and Daniel Blinov (Doubles) were awarded 2nd team All-American.
When asked about the tournament, Westfall said, "It's great to see all of the team's hard work pay off. It felt great to compete with a group of guys that I know and trust. We have been through a lot together this year and I am excited to see what we are able to do next season."
About the team, Coach Johnson said, "These guys are some of the fiercest competitors that I have ever seen. It has been an honor to coach them this year. The sophomores have been invaluable to the program's development. They brought strong leadership and great energy to both practice and matches day in and day out. The Freshmen have stepped up a lot this year and are equally deserving of praise. They will do an amazing job leading this team next year. I have a lot of respect for them. The program is in good hands."
The team's results from the tournament are as follows:
Flight 1 Singles: Daniel Blinov- Semi Finalist
Flight 2 Singles: Kenneth Rabinad Vila- Consolation Champion
Flight 3 Singles: Sam Dinneen- Semi Finalist
Flight 4 Singles: Kenta Kawada- National Champion, 1st team All-American
Flight 5 Singles: Tiaan Clark Nelson- National Champion, 1st team All-American
Flight 6 Singles: Edward Westfall- National Runner-up, 2nd team All-American
Flight 1 Doubles: Sam Dinneen and Kenneth Rabinad Vila- National Champions, 1st team All-American
Flight 2 Doubles: Thiofhi Tshivhase and Kenta Kawada- National Runner-up, 2nd team All-American
Flight 3 Doubles: Daniel Blinov and Edward Westfall- National Runner-up, 2nd team All-American