STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford opens its fall season next week with an appearance at the Porsche Napa Valley Tennis Classic.
The following week features a split squad with some members at the Aggie Fall Invitational and others competing in the Saint Francis ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Among the singles participants at the Saint Francis ITA All-American Championships: senior Nolan Paige (pre-qualifying), sophomore David Wilczynski (pre-qualifying), sophomore David Hsu (qualifying), senior Maciek Romanowicz (qualifying), freshman Michael Genender (qualifying), freshman Sameer Kumar (qualifying) and sophomore Tom Fawcett (main draw). In doubles, Paige and Wilczynski have earned a berth in the qualifying draw while Fawcett and Romanowicz appear in the main draw.
The Cardinal is also well represented in the national singles rankings, highlighted by Fawcett climbing to No. 20. Joining him is Hsu at No. 96. On the doubles side, Fawcett and Romanowicz check in at No. 33.
Meanwhile, Kumar was honored as the recipient of this year’s USTA National Junior Scholar Athlete Award. This is the fourth year the USTA has honored national junior winners of a scholar-athletes. To qualify, students must have an unweighted GPA of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale and demonstrate that tennis is the sport for education, advancement and character development. A written essay, as well as leadership and sportsmanship, were also considered.
A native of Carmel, Indiana, Kumar recently competed at the US Open Junior Championships. A National Merit Finalist who scored a perfect 800 on his SAT in math, Kumar won the National Winter Championships, Easter Bowl in the Boys’ 16s and was also a semifinalist at USTA National Championships in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and the Metropolia Orange Bowl.
“Sameer gives back on a daily basis to our younger players, mentoring them and helping out with drills and giving them insight into the ups and downs of playing tennis at the highest level,” said coach Bryan Smith.
