October 23, 2000

FURMAN FRESHMAN ROGERS TAKES CHATTANOOGA TENNIS SINGLES TITLE

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.- Furman's Andrew Rogers, a freshman from Chattanooga, Tenn., emerged victorious in his hometown on Sunday, defeating the homestanding Mocs' Fabian Bechara 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 at the Chattanooga Men's Fall Classic. Rogers defeated Chattanooga's Tom Lokken in the semifinals en route to his victory over the top-seeded Bechara.

Another Furman freshman, Patrick Fillnow, beat Belmont's Willy Sandoval in the A Flight singles opening round 7-6, 7-6 and Samford's Dave Misner by way of default. Fillnow was defeated in the semifinals by the eventual flight champion, Morehead State's Benjamin Schmid.

Rogers and Fillnow, who also teamed up for A Flight doubles competition, lost to UT Martin's Peter Allnut and Tom Wride 9-8, but rebounded to overpower two Samford teams, Chuch Haddox and John McCrummen 8-2, and Raphael Bohli and Andres Leal 8-3, on the way to a consolation bracket championship.