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CHRIS FREEMAN |
| SPORT: |
Men's Tennis |
EVENT (If Applicable): |
Singles |
| YEAR (S): |
2011 |
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Chris Freeman became the second Embry-Riddle men's tennis player to win an ITA/NAIA National Championship in singles. After winning the 2011 ITA/Florida Regional crown, becoming the eighth Embry-Riddle man to do so, Freeman earned the No. 1 seed in the eight-player ITA/NAIA National Championship field.
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Freeman had a tough opening round but, in the end, he held off Xavier's (La.) Loic Didavi 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to advance to Friday's semifinal round where he dispatched Lindsey Wilson's Fernando Bogajo in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3, to advance to the title match. Freeman took the court against Bruno Tiberti in the championship and claimed an early advantage, taking the first set 6-4. A determined Tiberti fought back to win the second set 6-2 to force a decisive third stanza. The third set belonged to Freeman and, with his 6-4 defeat of TIberti in the final frame, the Costa Mesa, Calif. native captured the fourth national singles crown in program history.
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Freeman advanced to the championship match of the ITA Small College "Super Bowl" in 2011, falling to Rollins' Lucas Jovita.
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Freeman earned both NAIA and ITA All-America honors in 2011, helping the Eagles to the semifinals of the 2012 NAIA National Championships. A year later, Freeman hoisted another championship trophy, this time as part of the 2013 NAIA National Championship team.
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Freeman's Career Highlights
- ITA/NAIA National Singles Champion (2011)
- Two-time ITA All-American (2011, 12, 13)
- Three-time NAIA first team All-American (2011, 12, 13)
- Recipient of the NAIA's Ward-Ballinger Award (2011)
- Two-time Sun Conference Player of the Year (2011, 12)
- Three-time first team All-Sun Conference (2011, 12, 13)
- Two-time CoSIDA Academic All-America first team honoree (2012, 13)
- Two-time NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete (2012, 13)
- Two-time Academic All-Conference (2012, 13)
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