Five Sooners Pick Up ITA Regional Honors

NORMAN – Five Sooners from the Oklahoma men's tennis team earned Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Central Region awards as announced by the organization on Wednesday.

These awards recognize excellence by coaches and players on the court and in their communities throughout the 2023-24season.

Ben Dunbar was named Assistant Coach of the Year in his second season with the Sooners, helping guide the team to a 21-5 mark and a top-15 ranking after the season.

Fifth-year senior Baptiste Anselmo earned the Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship award. The France native finished the season rakned No. 69 nationally in doubles and No. 5 in the regional doubles ranking, competing with partner Alex Martinez. Anselmo was a conference champion at the No. 1 doubles line.

After being named the No. 1 player in the ITA Central Region, Martinez was tabbed the ITA Senior Player of the Year. Martinez finished his senior campaign 16-2 and ranked a career-high No. 7 in the national rankings. He won two Big 12 position championships, claiming the top spot at No. 1 doubles and No. 1 singles. Martinez was selected the Big 12 Player of the Week on four occasions.

Martinez's other honors include a spot on the Big 12 All-Conference First Team and an All-American nod after he earned a top-16 seed in the NCAA DI Men's Singles Championship.

Senior Nathan Han earned the Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship award, claiming his second career ITA sportsmanship award after receiving the 2023 Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award. In addition to his postseason accolades, he earned the Athletics Council Service and Athletics Director's Leadership awards and was an Outstanding Scholar-Athlete of the Year honoree.

Freshman Kholo Montsi was named the ITA Rookie of the Year, compiling a 14-4 record and completing the season ranked No. 79 nationally and No. 7 in the central region. Montsi was selected to the Big 12 All-Conference Second Team and earned a Big 12 position championship at the No. 2 singles line.

The ITA National Award winners will be announced on Thursday, June 13.