Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Tennis Haul in Conference Honors
May 01, 2007 | Cowboy Tennis
“It is good to see our guys rewarded for their hard work,” head coach James Wadley said. “It is especially nice to see Daniel (Byrnes) come back from a stress fracture in his back to make it in doubles.”
Wadley, who is in his 35th season at OSU, was named the Big 12's Co-Coach of the Year along with Baylor's Mike Knoll. It is the first time in his career he has been named Big 12 Coach of the Year and ninth time he has earned conference coach of the year honors in his career. Earlier this season, he won his 600th career match and he guided the Cowboys to their highest rankling in school history (No. 7).
Freshman Oleksandr Nedovyesov continues to stockpile awards in his first season. The three-time conference player of the week was named the Big 12's Freshman and Newcomer of the Year. He is the program's second-consecutive newcomer of the year as teammate Ivan Puchkarov took home those honors last season. He is also the program's second Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Byrnes was named the league's top freshman in 2004.
“To have the year he has had as a freshman at No. 1 singles just shows an amazing amount of effort on his part,” Wadley said.
Nedovyesov, who is currently ranked No. 25, was also a unanimous All-Big 12 selection in singles and doubles. He was joined in doubles by Byrnes, who is now a three-time All-Big 12 selection.
Also earning All-Big 12 honors, was junior Ivan Puchkarov. Currently ranked No. 30, Puchkarov is now a two-time unanimous All-Big 12 selection.
Earlier today, the Cowboys found out they would be hosting an NCAA Regional for the third-straight year.
“The program has gotten to the point where we expect to host every season,” Byrnes said. “I really feel confident with this team and I feel like we can make a run this season.”
