Watts Named ITA Senior Player of the Year

St. Louis, Mo., June 1, 2010 – Senior John Watts of the Washington University in St. Louis men’s tennis team was named the 2010 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division III National Senior Player of the Year, as announced by the association. Watts, who was named the Central Region Senior of the Year earlier this month, is the program's first national Senior of the Year.

Watts captured the 2010 NCAA Division III Singles National Championship on May 30, with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Chris Goodwin of Emory University. He is the first national champion in Washington University men's tennis history.

"What a career John Watts has had as a student-athlete and as a member of the Washington University men’s tennis program," said men’s tennis coach Roger Follmer. "It is quite impressive to witness John mature the past four years, as he has consistently put the time and effort in improving all aspects of his game."

Watts qualified for the NCAA Tournament four times, and made the finals in 2007 and 2010. He concludes his career as the most decorated student-athlete in Washington University men’s tennis history, posting a career record of 238-43. Watts owns a school-record mark of 133-21 in singles and 105-22 in doubles.

Watts helped Washington University secure an at-large berth into the 2010 NCAA Division III Championship where the Bears advanced to the semifinals for the third-straight year. Washington U. concluded the season with a 20-6 overall record, and placed second in the University Athletic Association (UAA).