NEWARK, N.J. --- NJIT Men's Tennis head coach
Ira Miller has announced the addition of eight men's tennis student-athletes to the Highlander program, beginning in 2019-20.
Enrolling at NJIT are Aidar Aidossov, Tin Dizdarevic, Luka Dragoljic, Ammar Fekry, Daniel Sabogal, Josh Smith, Samuel Townes, and Adrian Tudor.
"This past year there have been an exceptional amount of student athletes who have excelled on the court and in the classroom who wanted to come to NJIT, and this year's class represents the best of them. The men's tennis coaching staff welcomes them all to Newark," Miller said of the recruiting class.
AIDAR AIDOSSOV | Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Prior to NJIT: Played for coach Yannick Faque at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy International School in Biot, France...Runner-up at the TC Vespins U18 French tournament.
Intended Major: Business
TIN DIZDAREVIC | Rijeka, Croatia
Prior to NJIT: Attended Birotehnika School in Zagreb, Croatia...Ranked in the top 10 in Croatia for U16 and U18...Made the semi-finals in singles and the finals in doubles of a Grade 4 ITF tournament in Slovenia...Made the singles semi-finals twice in the Croatian National Championships and also made 5 doubles finals in national championships.
Intended Major: Computer Engineering
LUKA DRAGOLJIC | Fiumicino, Italy
Prior to NJIT: Attended Saint Stephen's School in Rome, Italy...ITF Junior singles quarterfinalist...ITF Junior doubles finalist and semifinalist...also played organized basketball.
Intended Major: Information Technology
AMMAR FEKRY | Cairo, Egypt
Prior to NJIT: Attended Modern Language School of Egypt 2000 for coach Karim Zaher...2015-16 team MVP
Intended Major: Business
DANIEL SABOGAL | Chia, Colombia
Prior to NJIT: Coached by Sat Galán at Gimnasio La Montaña in Bogotá, Colombia...played for Academia Z&S and coach Alexander Sosa....Represented state in Colombian National U18 competition...ranked #25 in U16 Colombian national rankings...also participated in running competitions, winning Gimnasio La Montaña 2400 meters Scholar Senior endurance races in 2017 and 2018.
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering
JOSH SMITH | Wellington, New Zealand
Prior to NJIT: Attended Wellington College School...played for Thordon Premier Men's and coach Dave Knight...Premier 1 Interclub Rookie of the Year, Wellington College Tennis National
Silver Medal...NCEA Excellence Academic Endorsement...also competed in soccer
Intended Major: Engineering
SAMUEL TOWNES | East London, South Africa
Prior to NJIT: Attended Merrifield College School in East London...coached privately by coach Charles Wheeler and by coach Grant Grotjohn at the Old Selbornian Tennis Club...also competed in hockey.
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering
ADRIAN TUDOR | Ottawa, Canada
Prior to NJIT: Attended Earl of March Secondary School in Ottawa...sixteen OTA
titles and 13-time OTA finalist appearances...two-time junior city champion (2016, 2017)...doubles Provincial semi-finalist...also competed in soccer/futsal...three-time OFC and OSU league champion (2016, 2018, 2019)
Intended Major: Biology
COACH MILLER ON THE RECRUITS
Aidar, Luka, Daniel: "Aidar, Luka, and Daniel are all hard workers with solid tournament backgrounds and a high level of academic achievement. They'll fit right in with the NIIT men's tennis team."
Tin: "Tin's extensive tournament background and high UTR will be a great addition to the team."
Ammar: "Ammar has proven himself to be a player who excels in competitive, high-level situations. He is looking forward to joining his fellow countryman,
Abdullah Fouad, who just finished his sophomore year and has been one of the top players on the team."
Josh: "At 6-4, Josh's booming serve and big forehand should have quite the impact on our home indoor courts."
Sam: "Sam is a real fighter on the court and is quite eager to grind it out on behalf of the Highlanders."
Adrian: "Adrian's enthusiasm during the recruiting process was the first sign of how much he will bring to the team."
