Northwestern University Athletics
Men's Tennis Signs Talented Trio
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
November 20, 1998
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Head men's tennis coach Paul Torricelli announced today the signing of the following three high school seniors to National Letters of Intent to play at Northwestern beginning in the fall of 1999:
"We are particularly excited about what we consider an outstanding recruiting class. Josh, Jackie and Russell are terrific prospects who will be the nucleus of our team for years to come. They were highly recruited by a number of schools, and the consensus is that they will each make an impact."
Axler currently owns a No. 43 ranking in the United States Tennis Association's (USTA) Boys 18's. He is ranked No. 2 in the Eastern Tennis Association and was a state champion for Walt Whitman High School as a junior. He chose Northwestern over Harvard and Michigan. "Josh is one of the East's top players with a big forehand and tenacious style of play," Torricelli explained. "He is also a natural leader and will thrive in the college environment. He will be outstanding for us from day one."
A local product from nearby Wilmette, Bennett returns for his senior year as New Trier High School's number one singles player. He holds a No. 102 ranking in the USTA Boys 18's and won the Illinois State High School doubles championship as a sophomore. Bennett chose Northwestern over Dartmouth, Cornell, Penn and Notre Dame. "Russell should finish among the top 10 players in the Midwest Section," Torricelli predicted. "He has come on strongly this year, making his first appearance on a national level. Russell has great potential and possesses a college-level work ethic. He will be a tremendous asset to our program."
Jenkins is Torricelli's first recruit from the south. He is ranked No. 63 in the USTA Boys 18's and was the winner of the 1997 Georgia Tennis Association's Sportsmanship Award. Jenkins picked Northwestern over Michigan, Georgia Tech and Boise State.
"Jackie is a terrific athlete with all the tools for a big game," said Torricelli. "His serve and forehand are especially tough. He will make an immediate impact in both singles and doubles."
