April 23, 2009
Providence, R.I. – Irish men’s tennis players Brett Helgeson (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley West) and Casey Watt (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) have been named to the 2009 All-BIG EAST men’s tennis team, it was announced by the BIG EAST Conference on Thursday afternoon.
In year’s past, the BIG EAST honored an All-Tournament team, but the format was switched to an All-BIG EAST team for the 2009 season. The league’s coaches voted for the three major awards, namely the Player of the Year, the Rookie of the Year and the Coach of the year, as well as for the All-BIG EAST Team. When the votes were tallied, Helgeson and Watt were two of 12 All-BIG EAST selections, with Helgeson earning the additional honor of being one of five unanimous selections.
Helgeson, currently 30th in the ITA singles rankings, led the Irish from the No. 1 singles position for the second consecutive season. He carries a 12-10 singles record on the year. In addition, he plays first doubles with sophomore Tyler Davis (Nashville, Tenn./Father Ryan). The duo is currently 31st in the ITA rankings and has posted a 14-10 record on the year. Helgeson was also a two-time BIG EAST Player of the Week this season.
Watt is in the midst of an impressive rookie campaign with the Irish. He leads the squad in wins, having posted an 18-5 singles record thus far. He began the season at fourth singles, where he went 10-3. He then moved up to third singles, but continued to pile up wins, posting an 8-2 record in the No. 3 spot. He was named the BIG EAST Player of the Week on March 25. He is one of three freshmen on the 2009 All-BIG EAST team.
Helgeson, Watt and the Irish will learn when and where their season continues once the NCAA Men’s Championship field is announced on Tuesday, April 28. The field will be revealed at approximately 5:20 (EST) on ESPNews. Further information regarding the men’s championship draw will be posted on und.com once it becomes available.
BIG EAST Men's Tennis Player of the YearAusten Childs, Louisville, So.
BIG EAST Men's Tennis Freshman of the YearWael Kilani, USF, Fr.
BIG EAST Men's Tennis Coach of the YearDon Barr, USF
All-BIG EAST Men's Tennis Team*Jose Moncada, DePaul, Sr.*Austen Childs, Louisville, So.Simon Childs, Louisville, So.Viktor Maksimcuk, Louisville, So.Trent Hagan, Marquette, Sr.Dusan Medan, Marquette, Jr.*Brett Helgeson, Notre Dame, Sr. Casey Watt, Notre Dame, Fr. Milo Hauk, St. John's, Fr.*Lucas Jovita, USF, So.*Wael Kilani, USF, Fr.Mahmoud Hamed, USF, Sr.
* - Unanimous Selection
— ND —