Clancy Shields Named Wilson/ITA Mountain Region Coach of the Year
Clancy Shields (photo from Athletics website)
Utah State [University] head men’s tennis coach Clancy Shields has been named the Wilson/ITA Mountain Region Coach of the Year. The announcement was made Monday, April 9 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). The award is the second postseason accolade that Shields has garnered this season, having already been named the Mountain West Coach of the Year. The honors are duly warranted as Shields led the Aggies to their first-ever Mountain West title in any sport, and also guided sophomore Jaime Barajas to Mountain West Player of the Year honors under his tutelage.
En route to the MW conference title, the first for any Utah State sport since joining the league prior to the 2013-14 season, the Aggies climbed as high as No. 56 nationally and tallied a school-record 21 wins. The ranking was the highest for USU in school history and the win total included six over nationally-ranked opponents, including a 4-3 victory over BYU, the second consecutive victory over the Cougars in as many years.
The Aggies were nearly unbeatable in Logan, compiling a 10-1 mark at home and a perfect 4-0 record against Mountain West opponents.
The season also brought postseason honors to individuals under Shields’ guidance with Barajas earning MW Player of the Year honors. Junior Jack Swindells also earned all-Mountain West honors and was one of six Aggies to post 20 or more victories in singles during the year, including a team-best 24 by Barajas.
Fans can follow USU’s men’s tennis team on Twittter, on Facebook at UtahStateMensTennis or on Instagram. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics or on Instagram.
Additional Aggie sports news is available at the Athletics website.
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