April 18, 2002

CHARLESTON, S.C.-- Various members of the 71st ranked Furman men's tennis team (13-12, 10-0 SoCon) were recognized on Thursday by the Southern Conference for their efforts in 2002.

Furman head coach Paul Scarpa was named Coach of the Year for guiding the Paladins to an undefeated regular season in conference play. Scarpa, one of only four collegiate head tennis coaches with 700 wins under his belt (713-435), has been named the Coach of the Year on six other occasions.

Furman No. 1 singles player John Chesworth, who is currently ranked 50th in the country, landed his first Southern Conference Men's Player of the Year honor. Chesworth, a junior from Burnley, England, is 16-7 on the year and 8-0 in league play.

James Cameron, a junior from Harare, Zimbabwe, was dubbed a member of the All-Conference Singles First Team alongside Chesworth. Cameron registered a 14-9 record in 2002 and went 8-0 in conference play.

Chesworth and Cameron, the 40th ranked doubles tandem in the nation, were also named to the All-Conference Doubles First Team.

While Patrick Fillnow was recognized as a member of the All-Conference Singles Second Team for his performances at the No. 5 slot, Peter Netzler and Andrew Rogers were named to the All-Conference Doubles Second Team for their efforts at the No. 2 position.

Furman will begin its quest for a second straight Southern Conference Tournament championship when the defending champion and No. 1 seeded Paladins square off against Appalachian State at 9:30 a.m on Friday. The match will be played at the City of Charleston Farmfield Courts.

Southern Conference Men's Coach of the Year

Paul Scarpa

John Chesworth

Men's All-Conference First Team (Singles)

John Chesworth
James Cameron

Men's All-Conference First Team (Doubles)

John Chesworth and James Cameron

Men's All-Conference Second Team (Singles)

Patrick Fillnow

Men's All-Conference Second Team (Doubles)

Peter Netzler and Andrew Rogers