Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Tennis Set for Wilson/ITA Central Region Championship
October 17, 2006 | Cowboy Tennis
The Oklahoma State's men's tennis team is set to compete at the 2006 Wilson/ITA Central Region Championship in Tulsa, Okla. at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center Oct. 19-24.
The tournament features the top individuals and doubles teams from the Central Region. Cowboy All-American Daniel Byrnes, ranked 11th, is the top seed in the tournament and will look to repeat as the region's champion. No. 61 Ivan Puchkarov might give Byrnes some competition as he is seeded third at this year's tournament. Also, seeded is Artie Burmistrau (8-16). Olexsander Kotsiuk, Nathan Byrnes and Jason Wright will also participate in the championship but will be unseeded.
The Cowboys will also have the top seeded doubles tandem as Daniel and Nathan Byrnes get the top spot. The brothers are ranked eighth by the ITA in the preseason rankings.
The Cowboys made Central Region history last season when Daniel Byrnes beat Thomas Bohunicky in the championship final. It was the first time in the region's history that two teammates met for the title.
Last Time Out
The Cowboys are coming off the prestigious 2006 Polo Ralph Lauren All-American Tennis Championships in Tulsa. The championships featured most of the top-ranked individuals and doubles teams in college tennis.
The star for the Cowboys was Puchkarov. The junior entered the tournament in the qualifying rounds and won three matches convincingly to join the main draw. The Ukraine native did not stop once he got to the main draw as he beat two higher ranked opponents before losing to Tulsa's Arnau Brugues in the round of 16. Brugues went on to win the tournament title.
Returning Cowboys
The Cowboys return six players off last year's top-20 squad, including Byrnes, a 2006 ITA All-American. The senior had one of the most successful individual seasons in Cowboy tennis history as he was an All-American, All-Big 12 selection and was seeded in the Individual NCAA Tournament, all while fighting severe back pains. Byrnes also paired with his brother, Nathan, to form the Cowboys' top doubles tandem. The duo was an All-Big 12 selection a season ago. Nathan also returns to the squad and will look to build on a solid freshman campaign.
The Cowboys also return 2006 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, Puchkarov. Puchkarov, a junior this season, was also the Central Region Rookie of the year, Big 12 champion at No. 3 singles and a unanimous All-Big 12 selection during his first year in Stillwater.
Burmistrau, an Academic All-Big 12 selection last season, went 17-3 a year ago and will return for his senior season. Also back are Olexsander Kotsiuk, who went 12-8 as a freshman, and Jason Wright, a walk-on junior from Broken Arrow, Okla.
Head Coach James Wadley
James Wadley is entering in his 35th year leading the Oklahoma State program. His 35 years of service is the second longest tenure in Oklahoma State athletic history, trailing only the legendary Henry Iba.
Wadley has amassed 593 career wins along with 12 conference titles. He has also been named conference coach of the year 12 times.
In his previous 34 years at Oklahoma State, Wadley has had only three losing seasons.
Assistant Coach Yevgen Bondarchuk
Assistant coach Yevgen Bondarchuk has made quite an impact on the Oklahoma State program entering just his third season on staff. The Oklahoma State alumnus is vital to OSU's international recruiting and landed the Big 12 newcomer of the Year, Ivan Puchkarov. Bondarchuk was recognized as the Central Region's Assistant Coach of the Year for his work last season. Bondarchuk played for two years under Coach Wadley and was ranked as high as 55th at one point by the ITA.
Cowboys in the preseason ITA Rankings
Byrnes, an ITA All-American last season, enters the fall ranked at No. 11 in the singles rankings. The senior was an All-Big 12 selection last season and finished with a 13-8 record at No. 1 singles.
Byrnes teams with his younger brother Nathan, a sophomore, to form OSU's top doubles tandem. The duo, which was an All-Big 12 selection a year ago, is ranked 8th by the ITA in the doubles rankings.
Puchkarov was also ranked by the ITA at No. 61. The junior was an All-Big 12 selection, Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Central Region Rookie of the Year during his first season in Stillwater.
The tournament features the top individuals and doubles teams from the Central Region. Cowboy All-American Daniel Byrnes, ranked 11th, is the top seed in the tournament and will look to repeat as the region's champion. No. 61 Ivan Puchkarov might give Byrnes some competition as he is seeded third at this year's tournament. Also, seeded is Artie Burmistrau (8-16). Olexsander Kotsiuk, Nathan Byrnes and Jason Wright will also participate in the championship but will be unseeded.
The Cowboys will also have the top seeded doubles tandem as Daniel and Nathan Byrnes get the top spot. The brothers are ranked eighth by the ITA in the preseason rankings.
The Cowboys made Central Region history last season when Daniel Byrnes beat Thomas Bohunicky in the championship final. It was the first time in the region's history that two teammates met for the title.
Last Time Out
The Cowboys are coming off the prestigious 2006 Polo Ralph Lauren All-American Tennis Championships in Tulsa. The championships featured most of the top-ranked individuals and doubles teams in college tennis.
The star for the Cowboys was Puchkarov. The junior entered the tournament in the qualifying rounds and won three matches convincingly to join the main draw. The Ukraine native did not stop once he got to the main draw as he beat two higher ranked opponents before losing to Tulsa's Arnau Brugues in the round of 16. Brugues went on to win the tournament title.
Returning Cowboys
The Cowboys return six players off last year's top-20 squad, including Byrnes, a 2006 ITA All-American. The senior had one of the most successful individual seasons in Cowboy tennis history as he was an All-American, All-Big 12 selection and was seeded in the Individual NCAA Tournament, all while fighting severe back pains. Byrnes also paired with his brother, Nathan, to form the Cowboys' top doubles tandem. The duo was an All-Big 12 selection a season ago. Nathan also returns to the squad and will look to build on a solid freshman campaign.
The Cowboys also return 2006 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, Puchkarov. Puchkarov, a junior this season, was also the Central Region Rookie of the year, Big 12 champion at No. 3 singles and a unanimous All-Big 12 selection during his first year in Stillwater.
Burmistrau, an Academic All-Big 12 selection last season, went 17-3 a year ago and will return for his senior season. Also back are Olexsander Kotsiuk, who went 12-8 as a freshman, and Jason Wright, a walk-on junior from Broken Arrow, Okla.
Head Coach James Wadley
James Wadley is entering in his 35th year leading the Oklahoma State program. His 35 years of service is the second longest tenure in Oklahoma State athletic history, trailing only the legendary Henry Iba.
Wadley has amassed 593 career wins along with 12 conference titles. He has also been named conference coach of the year 12 times.
In his previous 34 years at Oklahoma State, Wadley has had only three losing seasons.
Assistant Coach Yevgen Bondarchuk
Assistant coach Yevgen Bondarchuk has made quite an impact on the Oklahoma State program entering just his third season on staff. The Oklahoma State alumnus is vital to OSU's international recruiting and landed the Big 12 newcomer of the Year, Ivan Puchkarov. Bondarchuk was recognized as the Central Region's Assistant Coach of the Year for his work last season. Bondarchuk played for two years under Coach Wadley and was ranked as high as 55th at one point by the ITA.
Cowboys in the preseason ITA Rankings
Byrnes, an ITA All-American last season, enters the fall ranked at No. 11 in the singles rankings. The senior was an All-Big 12 selection last season and finished with a 13-8 record at No. 1 singles.
Byrnes teams with his younger brother Nathan, a sophomore, to form OSU's top doubles tandem. The duo, which was an All-Big 12 selection a year ago, is ranked 8th by the ITA in the doubles rankings.
Puchkarov was also ranked by the ITA at No. 61. The junior was an All-Big 12 selection, Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Central Region Rookie of the Year during his first season in Stillwater.
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