Neal Towlson and his Wingate University Men’s Tennis teammates rallied from a 2-1 doubles deficit for a South Atlantic Conference victory. Wingate clinch at least a share of the 2012 SAC regular season title with a 7-2 triumph over Newberry College at the WU Tennis Complex.
Wingate is 14-5 overall and 8-0 in the SAC as the Bulldogs win their second consecutive league title. Newberry are 12-11 overall and 3-5 in the SAC. The
Fittingly, Wingate senior Drew Owen gave the hosts the lead for good in his final SAC home match. Owen rallied for a 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-2 victory over Newberry sophomore Vinicius Botelho at the number two singles flight to give Wingate a 3-2 edge. Owen is 4-2 in three-set matches this year.
Wingate senior Flavio Rathsam also won a three-setter Wednesday, taking a 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-4 triumph over Newberry sophomore Michael Saunders on court number one. Rathsam, Owen and classmate Matt Lichtenstein were honored in a pre-match Senior Day ceremony.
Wingate freshman Diego Martinez started the rally with a win in the number three singles match. Martinez and sophomore Ryan Forbes won two matches each, as they started the afternoon with an 8-3 victory at the number three doubles flight.
In singles, Forbes defeated Newberry freshman Carlos Nicolopulos 6-3, 7-5 at the number five position. Wingate freshman Towlson also earned a singles victory, topping Newberry junior Cal Loveridge 6-4, 6-3 in the number four singles match.
