Wang One of Three Top Seeds to Reach NCAA Quarters
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps’ Lawrence
Wang (Sr. – Orange, CA), advanced to the
quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Singles Championships with
two victories on Friday. Wang – seeded second in the field of
32 – defeated Stephen Sullivan of Bowdoin 7-5, 6-2 in the
first round, and John Pelton of Hope College 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 in the
round of 16. The wins improve Wang’s record to 27-7 on the
season. He will face fifth seeded Michael Goodwin – recipient
of the ITA Senior Player of the Year award – in the
quarterfinals. Wang has split two matches with Goodwin on the
season, losing at the ITA National Team Indoors in February, and
then defeating Goodwin at CMS in a March dual match.
Top-seeded and #1 ranked John Kauss of Gustavus Adolphus College
also advanced to the quarterfinals. Kauss won in straight sets in
the first round against Max Frey of Trinity Texas, but needed three
sets to overcome Randy Loden of Mary Washington in the round of 16.
Third seeded John Watts of Washington University in St. Louis had
an easier time in reaching the quarters, losing a total of four
games in two matches. Watts and Wang could meet in a re-match of
the Ojai Valley Division III final – which Wang won in
straight sets – should both players win their quarterfinal
matches on Saturday morning.
In the doubles draw, only two of the top four seeds survived the
first round on Friday. Top-seeded Kauss and Mike Burdakin of
Gustavus Adolphus were straight set winners, while 4th seeded Zack
Lerner and Moritz Koenig of Amherst earned a three-set win to
advance to the quarters.
Play resumes on Saturday with the singles quarterfinals at 9:00
AM, followed by the singles semifinals not before 12 Noon. The
doubles quarterfinals are set to begin not before 2:00 PM.
Friday May 22
Singles and Doubles Results