MCC tennis players receive ITA awards

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has announced that Meridian Community College sophomore tennis player, Blake Sherman (Laurel), was the regional recipient of the Community and Junior Colleges 2008 Arthur Ashe, Jr Collegiate Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship.

As the regional award winner, Sherman is now eligible for the National Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Sportsmanship & Leadership.

Each regional winner received a special awards certificate from the ITA and was mentioned on the ITA website. The National Arthur Ashe Jr. Award winner (for Sportsmanship & Leadership) will be honored by the USTA and the ITA at a special awards luncheon held in the USTA President’s Dining Room during the 2008 US Open on Arthur Ashe Kids Day. Courtesy of the USTA & the ITA, the national winner will be flown to New York City for a weekend of festivities including a Friday evening “Team Dinner”, the ITA Collegiate Team Awards Luncheon on Saturday and the chance to watch the Center Court Show during Arthur Ashe Kids Day from the Presidents Box (or another special luxury suite). Sunday events are also set with the NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay Contest winners. Each national winner will also receive a framed certificate.

Nicholas Zabrodiac, also a sophomore tennis player for MCC, was named the ITA Region III Junior College Player of the Year.

Zabrodiac, who posted a 30-6 career record at MCC, led the Eagles to the 2008 MACJC State/Region 23 Championship and an overall record of 15-6.