After playing a crucial role in leading UCSD men’s tennis to its best season in Division II, including its first appearance in the NCAA National Championships, six players have competed in their last match for UCSD. Sameer Chopra, Jeff Wilson, Nick Morton, Amir Nejad, Sean Higginbotham and Emil Novak are graduating in June, each leaving their marks on the men’s tennis program.
Chopra ends his career at UCSD having played at the top singles and doubles lineup for most of his career. His final singles ranking of No. 14 and doubles ranking of No. 2 earned him an NCAA All-American selection in singles and doubles — a first for any Triton tennis player in Division II.
“Chopra’s growth over the five years at school was extraordinary,” head coach Eric Steidlmayer said. “In his last year, he brought leadership on court, a true love for the game, as well as a very high caliber of play.”
Chopra graduates with a degree in psychology and plans on attending medical school. Chopra ends his collegiate tennis career with a 40-36 singles record and a 61-35 doubles record.
Wilson, Chopra’s doubles partner, also placed himself in the record books with an NCAA All-American selection in doubles and by breaking UCSD’s record for career wins in doubles with 68 wins.
Wilson will receive his degree in management science and will attend law school at University of San Francisco in the fall.
“[Wilson] had wins at No. 1 through No. 4 in singles this year and was definitely willing to play hard wherever he ended up,” Steidlmayer said. “His flexibility and desire to see his team do well was great for the whole squad.”
In his four years at UCSD, Wilson holds a 66-35 singles record and a 68-35 doubles record.
Morton was a doubles specialist for the Tritons, finishing his career with a 38-11 doubles record and a 7-5 singles record. He and his doubles partner, sophomore Brent Molden, stepped up for UCSD this season and played consistently, pulling off crucial victories at No. 3 doubles.
“Morton finishes his year with style, earning a doubles win versus West Florida, the eventual national champion,” Steidlmayer said. “His win at the national championships gave us a chance to win the whole match. He really played well, and brought his game up to the level it needed to be in order to garner the victory.”
Morton will graduate with a degree in biochemistry and plans to attend dental school.
After playing for his first two years, Nejad took a year off as a junior to concentrate on his studies, setting his sights for medical school. He returned to the squad for his senior year and consistently contributed in doubles and in singles.
“Nejad also came through in the clutch for UCSD this spring,” Steidlmayer said. “Amir played the match of his career at nationals when he and [Bryan Swatt] defeated the No. 23-ranked team in the country to give UCSD the edge.”
Nejad graduates with a degree in political science and has already received acceptance letters from medical schools. He will attend medical school in the fall.
Novak finished his management science degree in three years and will also graduate in June. While at UCSD, he has been one of the most reliable singles players, setting the school record for career singles wins in a season with 20 in 2002. He also set a new record as the all-time winning percentage leader in singles. In his three years at UCSD, Novak has a 57-18 singles record and an 8-6 doubles record.
“He was [a] rock for three years, bringing a fighting spirit and solid groundstrokes to every match,” Steidlmayer said of Novak.
Novak plans on finding a full-time job after he graduates.
Higginbotham, like Nejad, took a year off in 2003 to concentrate on his schoolwork. Graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, Higginbotham has provided leadership for the team and exemplified the virtue of hard work and teamwork in his four years. His exemplary character won him the respect of his coaches and teammates as well.
“Higginbotham came back to UCSD tennis as a fifth year senior,” Steidlmayer said. “He has been one of the main reasons Triton tennis is where it is today. Earning the leadership award from his teammates speaks for what Sean has meant to our team this year. He has played in the starting lineup when needed and has always pushed himself and his teammates to better themselves.”
Higginbotham will enroll in Officer Training School for the U.S. Navy and hopes to work in its nuclear power department.
Whether it was playing in the clutch, setting records or providing leadership on and off the court, each of the six departing seniors has etched an indelible mark in UCSD men’s tennis history.
