Men’s Tennis: Bryan Koniecko Claims Singles Title

Men’s Tennis: Buckeye Bryan Koniecko Claims 2008 Wilson/ITA Midwest Regional Singles Title
For third-consecutive year, a Buckeye takes singles regional championship title
Author: Alex Morando Ohio State Athletic Communications

COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 9 Bryan Koniecko, member of the Ohio State men’s tennis team, won the singles title Monday at the 2008 Wilson/ITA Midwest Regional Championships at The Ohio State University Varsity Tennis Center. Koniecko defeated defending singles champion and teammate, No. 8 Justin Kronauge 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 in the final. Koniecko lost to Kronauge 7-6, 6-3 at the 2007 singles regional championship in the semifinal match. The win by Koniecko marks the third-consecutive year a Buckeye has taken the regional singles tournament crown.

Three Buckeyes, 2008 ITA All-Americans Koniecko, Kronauge and Steven Moneke, all won four-consecutive matches in the tournament to advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, Koniecko defeated classmate and No. 11 Moneke in three sets 3-6, 7-6, 6-4. After dropping the first set, Koniecko battled back in a second-set tiebreaker 7-6 (12-10) to force a third set. Koniecko, 2008 Big Ten Athlete of the Year, took the third set 6-4, eliminating Moneke, the 2006 ITA Midwest regional singles champion. The two Buckeyes have now faced each other twice in their collegiate careers with Koniecko winning both matches.

In the second semifinals match, Kronauge defeated No. 72 Marek Michalicka of Wisconsin in three sets 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.

With their appearance in the singles final, Kronauge and Koniecko both received automatic selections for the singles tournament at the ITA National Indoors, which take place Nov.6-9 at the Boar's Head Sports Club in Charlottesville, Va. The ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Tennis Championships are the second of three national tournaments for singles and doubles during the collegiate tennis season.

Up next for Ohio State is the 2008 Big Ten Singles Tournament, Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison, Wis.


2008 Wilson/ITA Midwest Regional Championships

Hosted by The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
Oct. 16-20, 2008

Singles Main Draw
Semifinals
No. 2 Bryan Koniecko (Ohio State) def. No. 3 Steven Moneke (Ohio State) – 3-6, 7-6, 6-4
No. 1 Justin Kronauge (Ohio State) def. No. 8 Marek Michalicka (Wisconsin) – 2-6, 6-2, 6-4

Finals
No. 2 Bryan Koniecko (Ohio State) def. No. 1 Justin Kronauge (Ohio State) – 7-6, 2-6, 6-3

Author: Alex Morando Ohio State Athletic Communications