Auburn Wheelchair Tennis Team finishes third at nationals

Published: April 27, 2022

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The Auburn Wheelchair Tennis Team recently secured a third-place finish at the USTA National Collegiate Wheelchair Championships in Orlando.

The Tigers’ four-member squad features student-athletes Sarah Kate Sligh, Gabe Puthoff, Jack Pierre and Fisher Rizk and is coached by Nathan Waters and Hannah Houde. Auburn took third place behind the University of Alabama and San Diego State University at the tournament, which was conducted by the United States Tennis Association, or USTA, April 13-16 at the USTA National Campus.

Collegiate wheelchair tennis is organized by the USTA and supported by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, or ITA, the governing body of college tennis, bridging the gap between junior play and the professional tour. Its three-fold purpose is to grow the sport, encourage individuals with disabilities to pursue a college education and give students with physical disabilities an equal opportunity to compete in intercollegiate sport as a representative of their institution.

Auburn’s Wheelchair Tennis Team has gained momentum in the last year and is another top-notch example of the university’s expansion of its adapted sports programs. For more information about Auburn Adapted Athletics, click here.

Auburn's wheelchair tennis team

Auburn's Wheelchair Tennis Team recently finished third in the nation. Players are, front row, left to right, freshman Sarah Kate Sligh (pre-chemical engineering), sophomore Gabe Puthoff (education), sophomore Jack Pierre (marketing) and senior Fisher Rizk (chemical engineering). Coaches Nathan Waters and Hannah Houde are pictured in the back row. (USTA photo)