September 26, 2016
East Central Community College men’s and women’s tennis players won 18 singles and doubles matches at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Championships, with freshman Tom Langelaar winning a singles title.
The regionals were held Sept. 21-24 at host Meridian Community College.
Langelaar of Veldhoven, Netherlands, won the men’s singles back draw by winning five straight matches. He defeated sophomore Chris Crapps of Hinds Community College 8-6 in the finals.
Other ECCC highlights included freshman Joseph Jabour, a product of Warren Central High School, defeating Callan Shinall of Meridian Community College in the first round, 6-0, 6-3, before losing to No. 1 seeded Noah Rowell of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, 6-3, 6-0. Langelaar/Jabour made the main draw quarterfinals in doubles before losing to eventual champions Jason Pimenta and Breno Goncalves of Meridian Community College. Sophomore Samantha McCrimon, a product of Winston Academy, reached the semifinals of the back draw before losing to Jordyn Hull of Meridian, 8-0. Sophomore Chaney Mills of Newton County High School and freshman Julia Johnston of Florence High School reached the semifinals of the back draw before losing a close match to Jasmine Sartin and Kaci Calhoune of Gulf Coast, 8-5.
“We had a tough first round of the main draws, however the team stayed positive and we won many women’s and men’s back draw matches,” said second-year ECCC Head Coach Jay Pacelli. “Both teams have a lot of promise for the spring, but it is going to take countless hours on the court to meet our team goals. We are looking forward to having a special season with our new tennis center in 2017.”
The East Central tennis teams will both scrimmage Meridian on Friday, Sept. 30. The men’s teams will square off at 9 a.m. at Newton County High School, while the women will meet at 2 p.m. at Meridian Community College.
