The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men's Tennis signs three Texans to National Letters of Intent
11.16.2005 | Men's Tennis
AUSTIN, Texas -- Three of the state of Texas' top 10 junior tennis players have signed National Letters of Intent to join the University of Texas men's tennis program, UT head coach Michael Center announced Wednesday. Rook Schellenberg (Dallas, Texas/Highland Park), Jon Wiegand (San Antonio, Texas/St. Mary's Hall) and Josh Zavala (Amarillo, Texas/Tascosa) will join the Longhorns program in the fall of 2006.
"We feel like we had a tremendous early signing period," said Center, now in his sixth season at Texas. "We signed three of the top players in the state who will represent the University of Texas on the court and in the classroom at the highest level."
Currently ranked No. 42 in the nation by TennisRecruiting.net, Schellenberg has been ranked as high as No. 7 in the U.S. Boys' 16 division and No. 21 in the U.S. Boys' 18 division. Schellenberg currently is ranked No. 4 in Texas and has been ranked as high as No. 1 in the state.
"Rook is one of the best athletes in the junior tennis ranks," Center said. "He will thrive in a competitive environment, and I expect him to be a great player for us here at Texas."
A 2005 doubles quarterfinalist at the USTA Spring National Championships, Wiegand currently is the nation's 71st-ranked player (Boys' 18 division) and the sixth-ranked player in Texas.
"Jon is an all-court player whose game is developing at a rapid rate," Center said. "He is a great doubles player and a great student." Wiegand will become a second-generation Longhorn when he arrives in Austin next season. His father, Paul, played tennis at Texas in 1975.
The reigning Texas Class 5A boys' singles champion, Zavala currently is ranked No. 26 nationally (Boys' 18 division) and is the top-ranked player in the state. He recently captured the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Labor Day Super Championship, eliminating two top-50 opponents on his way to the title.
"Josh is an up-and-coming player with a terrific all-court game," Center said. "His game will progress dramatically as he physically matures. He will be an outstanding player for us at Texas."