April 23, 2018
(Left Photo) ECCC freshman Bethany Wellerman displays the awards she received as the MACJC State and NJCAA Region 23 Champion. (Right Photo) Wellerman in action in the No. 5 Singles Semifinals at the 2018 MACJC State/NJCAA Region 23 Tournaments in Meridian. (EC Photos)
East Central Community College’s Bethany Wellerman won the 2018 Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges/National Junior College Athletic Association Region 23 Tournament titles at No. 5 Singles during play Saturday, April 21.
Wellerman, a freshman who prepped at Newton County Academy, beat No. 2 Seed Meridian’s Katherine Mitchell 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 in the finals. She advanced to the finals with a 6-7, 6-4, 6-1 win over No. 4 Seed Jones County Junior College’s August Parker.
Wellerman entered the tournament as the No. 1 Seed at No. 5 Singles. She finished the spring season with a perfect 13-0 record against state competition.
East Central sophomore Julia Johnston of Florence advanced to the finals at No. 6 Singles before falling to No. 1 Seed Meridian’s Kelsea Baksh 7-6, 6-2. Johnston, the No. 3 Seed, defeated Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Madison Franklin 6-0, 6-0 in the quarterfinals and Jones County Junior College’s Brooke Cran 6-1, 6-3 in the semifinals.
Johnston and doubles partner freshman Sara Mazzella of Newton County Academy advanced to the semifinals at No. 3 Doubles.
“Bethany completed an undefeated season in the state by wearing down her opponents and just refusing to lose,” said ECCC Head Coach Jay Pacelli. “She was great during pressure points in the matches and got the better of quality players from Jones County and Meridian.
“Julia should also receive a great deal of credit playing through injury all season and being a finalist at No. 6 Singles. She is a great young woman and every bit our team captain. Congratulations to her and our state champion Bethany Wellerman!”
The tournament was played at the Northeast Park Tennis Complex in Meridian and hosted by Meridian Community College.
