Chicago's Chua, Wisconsin-Whitewater's Humphreys receive James O'Hara Sargent Sportsmanship Awards Presented by Rolex Watch, USA

SUMTER, SC (October 12) - Nicolas Chua of the University of Chicago and Megan Humphreys of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater were named the winners of the 2014 James O'Hara Sargent Sportsmanship Awards, presented by Rolex Watch, USA, at the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships.

The James O'Hara Sargent Sportsmanship Award honors players who display outstanding sportsmanship and exemplify the spirit of college tennis during the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships hosted by the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, SC. To be eligible for this award, the players must reach the finals in their divisional draw.

The award is given in memory of Jim Sargent, former Media Manager for Rolex Watch, USA, who was the victim of a fatal car accident in 2000. Jim was a great friend of college tennis, an ITA All-American who competed with outstanding success and sportsmanship at Lynchburg College, and afterwards continued as a special partner to the ITA in his role with Rolex.

Nicolas Chua of Chicago with head coach Jay Tee

Both winners were presented with their awards on Saturday by Cory Brooks, ITA Director of Events and Championships.

Chua won the Division III men's singles title as an unseeded player. He beat the No. 1 and 3 seeds en route to the title and played two tough sets against defending Super Bowl champion Deni Zmak of Embry-Riddle in the Super Bowl semifinal. His calm demeanor on court was noticeable to many as early as day one.

"A lot of kids yell when they're younger," Chua said. "I figured out it doesn't really work well for me. I just stay focused and keep thinking in my head about what I have to do. All that matters is what happens during the point, not screaming between points."

Though he's just a freshman, Chua understands what it takes for him to win at a high level.

"I used to get really disappointed on court," he said. "I never really yelled much, but I figured out that being disappointed doesn't help you win. I'm here to win, so I might as well maximize my chances."

Megan Humphreys of UW-Whitewater

Humphreys, the female winner and also a Division III athlete, is just a sophomore but has finished fifth and second in, respectively, in her two USTA/ITA National Small College Championships appearances.

"Whether you're winning or losing, you shouldn't be able to tell by your body language," Humphreys said. "You get frustrated out there, but keeping a good head on your shoulders is important. Congratulating your opponent on nice shots is necessary. I'm not out there to make enemies, we're just playing a fun game."

Humphreys was happy with her runner-up finish, and will look to improve yet again next year.

"It feels pretty great," she said. "That was one of my goals, doing better than I did last year. To think I made it to the national championship is a huge accomplishment. I walked off the court with my head held high because I know gave it my all and played my best. She deserved it; she came out and won it. I didn't give her any free points. I feel really happy to have had this opportunity."

About the Palmetto Tennis Center

The Palmetto Tennis Center is located inside Palmetto Park in Sumter, South Carolina, and is home to 24 state-of-the-art tennis courts, with lighting available for night play. Three on-site tennis pros and a progressive training program teach players from beginner to advanced levels spanning from players aged five and older. Other amenities include ball machines, stringing service, and a pro shop. Admission for regular play is free of charge. Visit the Palmetto Tennis Center website and follow tournament updates on their Facebook page.

About the ITA

As the governing body of collegiate tennis, the ITA promotes both the athletic and academic achievements of the collegiate tennis community. The ITA, which is comprised of nearly 1,700 men's and women's varsity coaches representing over 1,200 institutions, administers numerous regional and national championships and the ITA College Tennis Rankings for over 20,000 college varsity student-athletes at NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior College levels. The ITA also has a comprehensive awards program for players and coaches to honor excellence in academics, leadership and sportsmanship. The official ITA web site is www.itatennis.com.