Three Mustang tennis players earned awards for their success on and off the tennis courts on Thursday, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference announced. Junior Wilton Atkins (Wanganui, New Zealand, Wanganui Collegiate School, University of North Alabama) was a unanimous selection for RMAC All-Academic First Team. Sophomore Luke Salazar (Albuquerque, NM, Valley High School) also earned a spot on the same team. Senior Emmanuel Hecher (Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Colegio Pitagoras) was placed on Second Team.

Atkins, who finished up his eligibility this season, finished 13-10 this season in singles and 14-9 in doubles. Atkins had most of his success at the singles No. 3 spot (10-5) and with partner Timoci Fa (10-4). Atkins will graduate with a degree in movement science and a 3.48 overall GPA.

Salazar and his doubles partner Flavio Rueda (Mazatlan, Mexico/Universidad Autonoma de Durango) dominated at No. 3 doubles, finishing a spectacular 18-5 on the season. In singles, Salazar came close to .500, posting a 12-11 record. Salazar will graduate on Friday with a Bachelor of Science and a 3.78 GPA in just two short years.

Hecher was 13-8 in singles and 9-15 in doubles. He finished the season in position No. 6 and an 11-6 record. A business management major, Hecher has a 3.35 GPA. 

To qualify for Academic All-RMAC, student-athletes must have a GPA of 3.20 or better, be a starter or key reserve, and completed two consecutive semesters or three quarters at their current institution. Their GPA is cumulative, what they had earned prior to tennis season beginning. RMAC Sports Information Directors at schools that sponsor the sport of tennis selected the teams. These SIDs took into account the student-athlete's work in the classroom, as well as on the tennis court.

Click here for the complete RMAC press release.