Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Tennis Receives Pair of Regional Awards
May 15, 2006 | Cowboy Tennis
Ivan Puchkarov was named the 2006 Central Region's Rookie of the Year. Puchkarov came to the Cowboys from Simfevopol, Ukraine, and had an immediate impact on the program this season. The sophomore went 18-3 and had a 15-match win streak for the Cowboy's in the latter portion of the season. He also went undefeated in Big 12 play.
Aside from the Central Region's Rookie of the Year award, Puchkarov has also won several other awards in his inaugural season in Stillwater. He was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, was a unanimous All-Big 12 selection, was the Big 12 Champion at No. 3 singles and also earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors.
The other Cowboy to be honored by the Central Region was assistant coach Yevgen Bondarchuk. Bondarchuk was named the region's Assistant Coach of the Year for his work for the program.
Bondarchuk, a former Cowboy player, is in his second year with the program and was vital to Oklahoma State's recruiting this season. He was responsible for bringing Puchkarov to the program, as well as Olexsander Kotsiuk, who went 11-8 in his freshman campaign.
Head coach James Wadley was named the Coach of the Year in the Central Region last season so he was not eligible for the award in 2006.
