ROCK HILL, S.C. - Anderson University senior men's and women's tennis players Juan Carracedo and Rebecca Bruning have been selected as the 2017 South Atlantic Conference Tennis Scholar-Athletes of the Year, an award which recognizes excellence in athletics, academics, service and leadership.
Carracedo's and Bruning's selection marks the first time in program history that a member of the Anderson tennis team has earned the accolade and first since former Anderson men's basketball standouts Chandler Hash and Nick Trull claimed the honor. Trull was a back-to back recipient in both 2011 and 2012 while Hash followed suit for back-to-back honors in 2013 and 2014.
The SAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards are presented to one male and one female student-athlete in each of the conference's 18 championship sports. The awards are voted on by the league's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee.
Carracedo currently carries a 3.71 GPA majoring in business. He is a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honorary Society and the AU Dean's List.
"Juan has a contagious smile and attitude that has helped him lead the men's program to four-straight Conference tournaments as well as getting the team back in the regional and national rankings," said Anderson head tennis coach Joey Eskridge. "Everyone that works with him on campus loves him and that goes the same for everyone involved in the tennis program at AU. Juan will never be forgotten for his time here at AU and we wish him the best in the next chapter of his life."
On the court, Carracedo earned All-SAC honorable mention in singles play. The native of Buenos Aires, Argentina has been an emotional leader for the Black and Gold during his entire career. At the No. 3 singles slot, Carracedo posted a 2017 record of (14-6, 8-3 SAC) while holding an impressive (45-29, 30-13 SAC) career record as a Trojan. In doubles action, Carracedo posted a 2017 overall record of (15-8, 7-4 SAC) while recording a career record of (38-26, 22-19 SAC) for the Black and Gold.
Away from tennis, Carracedo served with Capstone Community Church's Food Pantry and volunteered to serve during AU basketball home events. Carracedo also was a calculus tutor at Anderson University.
Bruning is the first student-athlete from Anderson University to receive the SAC Women's Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Bruning holds a perfect 4.0 GPA in Biochemistry.
"Rebecca is the best example of a student-athlete that our women's tennis program has ever had," said Eskridge. "She has been ranked in singles and doubles for the past three years as well as being named an academic All-American. Rebecca has been our captain the last three years and led the 2017 program to the most wins in a regular season that the women's team has had at the NCAA level."
Bruning's additional academic accolades include selections to the Anderson University Dean's List, AU Physics Award, AU Chemistry Award, AU Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society.
An All-SAC First Team selection in both singles and doubles play, Bruning ranked as high as the No. 19th singles player and the No. 7 doubles team in the Southeast Regional rankings. The Athens, Ga. native ranks number one for most combined career wins in Anderson University program history with 124 posting a remarkable 41-4 combined record for the 2017 season.
Bruning has served with numerous service organizations, including Anderson Free Clinic, Rotaract Club of Anderson University, Gamm Beta Phi of Anderson University and Capstone Baptist Church Food Pantry. The senior Biochemistry major also served on the Student Advisory Athletic Committee.
