Austen Childs Selected ITA Midwest Region Rookie of the Year
May 14, 2008 | Men's Tennis
May 14, 2008
University of Louisville freshman Austen Childs earned the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Midwest Region Rookie of the Year Award. He is now one of eight nominees for the National Rookie of the Year which will be announced on May 20.
"This is a very prestigious award and I feel Austen is very deserving," said U of L head coach Rex Ecarma. "His results speak for themselves. He is an extremely humble young man and a good competitor. He reminds me of a past U of L Tennis Great, Damar Johnson. Austen's game is really blossoming as we try to develop his all-court skills. Coach John Boetsch and I truly enjoy coaching him and the sky is the limit for his potential."
Austen Childs, a Mt. Maunganui, New Zealand native, has compiled a 25-13 overall record and is 15-8 as the Cardinals' top-seeded player. Childs has appeared as high as No. 36 in the ITA singles rankings and is currently No. 43. He was also selected as the University of Louisville's Male Freshman Athlete of the Year.
Austen Childs teamed with fellow freshman Simon Childs (Hillington, England) and posted a 10-4 mark as the Cards' No. 1 doubles team. The duo stands in at No. 47 in the ITA doubles rankings. On Feb. 26, they debuted at No. 23, becoming the first freshman team in Louisville history to earn a top 25 ranking.
Austen Childs was selected to compete in the NCAA singles championship and will also Simon Childs in the NCAA doubles championship. This marks the third consecutive year that U of L has had a doubles team in the NCAA doubles competition and the second time in three years, the Cards have competed in the singles championship.
The singles and doubles competition will be conducted May 21-26 at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following the conclusion of the team championship (May 16-20). The University of Tulsa will serve as host.
The Cardinals finished the 2008 season with a 17-7 overall record and a fourth place finish in the BIG EAST.
