March 15, 2011
University Park, Pa. - Senior Eddie Bourchier (Hobart, Australia) has been named Big Ten Athlete of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday.
Bourchier posted four victories in combined singles and doubles action in a pair of 6-1 victories over Navy and Villanova last weekend. This is the senior's second selection as Big Ten Athlete of the Week, his first selection coming April 27, 2010 after posting three wins over ranked opponents.
The Australian native picked up a pair of doubles victories this past weekend to move him within four wins of the all-time record of 78 doubles wins, set by Michael James in 2008.
The senior teamed up with freshman Russell Bader (Austin, Texas) to earn the clinching doubles victory against Navy, topping Owen Bullard and Nick Birger, 8-5 and giving the Nittany Lions their first point of the match. Bourchier and Bader teamed up again to defeat Villanova's Trenton Alenik and Thomas O' Brien, 8-3, in the second match of the doubleheader.
Additionally, Bourchier earned two singles victories against the Midshipmen and Wildcats to bring his 2010-11 singles record to 14-10. Bourchier methodically defeated Marcus Rebersak in second singles to earn Penn State its fourth singles victory of the afternoon (6-4, 7-5) against Navy. He then gave the Nittany Lions a 3-0 lead over Villanova with a 7-5, 6-3 first singles victory over David Shaheen.
Bourchier and Penn State will now turn their attention to a doubleheader Sunday, March 20 against Youngstown State at 10 a.m. and Dayton at 3 p.m. The matches will be played at the Sarni Tennis Center weather permitting. Admission to both matches is free.