Gophers men’s tennis player Tom Chicoine continued his hot streak Wednesday, defeating San Diego State’s Alex Waske 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, in the first round of the NCAA singles Championships in Athens, Ga.
Chicoine became the first Minnesota player to advance to the second round of the singles tourney since All-American Rick Naumoff in 1993. The Gophers had one player qualify in 1994, 1995 and 1996, but all three were bumped in the first round.
Play continues through Sunday.
Golf team 29th
The Gophers men’s golf team is 8-over par and in 29th place after one round of competition at the 30-team NCAA Men’s Golf Championships in Albuquerque, N.M.
Scores from the five Minnesota competitors were as follows: Martin LeMesurier, 71; James McLean, 71; Bill Thompson, 73; Adam Dooley, 79; and Rob Kerr, 80.
Oklahoma State (-10) leads the competition. The top 15 teams after today’s second round make the cut to the final two rounds.
McElmury, Hegener honored
Senior soccer player Jennifer McElmury won the Big Ten Medal of Honor while swimmer Gretchen Hegener won the 1998 Senior Athlete of the Year award presented Wednesday night at the Berg Awards Banquet.
McElmury became the first soccer player to win the medal of honor, which considers academic, athletic and community involvement. She wrapped up her career by being named a first-team All-American this year.
Hegener became the third athlete in Gophers women’s athletics history to win an NCAA individual title when she won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1997.
Quinlan named baseball MVP
Junior Robb Quinlan took home the Dick “Chief” Siebert MVP Award at the 15th Annual Dugout Club Awards Banquet on Wednesday.
Quinlan hit .408 for Minnesota this season and set school records in hits (97), runs scored (87), homers (24) and total bases (188).
Other award winners were as follows:
ù Paul Molitor Batting Champion Award — Robb Quinlan
ù Dave Winfield Pitcher of the Year Award — Ben Birk
ù Paul Fortin Scholarship/Athlete Award — Mike Arlt
ù Golden Gopher Dugout Club Player of the Year — Mark Groebner
ù George Thomas Most Improved Player Award — Dan McGrath
