AZUSA, Calif. -- Fresh off reaching the NAIA Championship match, Azusa Pacific was rewarded with several All-American selections to cap off another successful 2006 campaign.
The Cougars advanced to the title match for the fourth consecutive season and, for their work on the court, 4 players were honored as NAIA All-Americans.
Senior Boris Bakalov achieved what few college athletes before him have accomplished as he was named to the first team for the third time in his highly decorated career.
He becomes the third player in Azusa Pacific program history to be a 3-time honoree.
On the flipside of the veteran, freshman Patrick Kur capped off his initial season with a first team All-American award. Bakalov and Kur were slated as the top 2 singles players in the Azusa Pacific line-up. Both responded with terrific seasons leading the Cougars to the GSAC championship.
Also figuring prominently into the mix were 2 more teammates that were recognized with second team All-American selections. David Goodman and Tom Jelsma were placed on the second team for their work. Goodman was a standout at No. 3 singles throughout the season with Jelsma polished off his outstanding career at Azusa Pacific with a good year at No. 4 singles. Jelsma also teamed with Bakalov at No. 1 doubles and, together, they won the Men’s Independent College Team Tournament championship at the 106th Ojai Valley Tournament.
It was the second honor for Goodman and the second for Jelsma.
“We had an outstanding season and I’m very proud of how hard these guys worked,” said head coach Mark Bohren, who has now coached 25 NAIA All-American players.
Additionally, Bakalov, Goodman and Justin Green were named 2006 Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athletes for their work in the classroom.
Azusa Pacific lost to Auburn-Montgomery in the championship match and finished the season at 26-2.
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