2 Hoosiers find success at Big Ten Singles tourney

The Big Ten Singles Championships concluded Monday in East Lansing, Mich. with IU teammates senior Rahman Smiley and freshman Tommy Bagnato each reaching the quarterfinals.\nThe 12th-seeded Smiley's path to the quarterfinals consisted of defeating senior Peter Mandic of Iowa 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(9) in the first round before losing in the main second round to freshman Paul Warkentin of Ohio State 7-5, 6-3. He received a bye to the second round of consolations and defeated 16th-seeded freshman Chris Martin of Illinois 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. He then downed junior Goran Topalo of Michigan St. 6-3, 6-3 before losing a hard fought battle to junior Stuart Waters of Iowa 7-6 (6), 6-4 to end his tournament.\nBagnato's trip to the quarterfinals consisted of losing to sophomore Josh Axler of Northwestern 6-4, 6-2. He rebounded by winning his first round consolation match against junior Matt Frakes of Penn St. 6-1, 1-6, 6-0. He then pulled off a win in the third round, upsetting 14th-seeded freshman Alex Kasarov of Wisconsin 6-3, 5-7, 7-5. He then defeated Wisconsin senior Jason Gonzaga 5-7, 7-5, 6-3. Bagnato was then set to face Smiley in the quarterfinals. After a meeting of coaches, there was a decision to switch opponents with another quarterfinal so the two teammates would not have to face each other. Bagnato's tournament run was then ended with a loss to junior Jamie Sahara of Northwestern 6-3, 6-1.\nJunior Zach Held reached the third round of the tournament before losing to freshman Andy Formanczyk of Michigan St. 6-2, 6-4. \nNo. 2 seed senior Milan Rakvica was the highest seed to be bounced from the first round, losing to Formanczyk 6-3, 6-3. He was hampered by back problems all day and was forced to withdraw from his first round match in the consolations.\nSenior Ari Widlansky and freshman Ryan Recht had similar experiences in the tournament. They both lost matches in the first round of the consolation bracket. Widlanski lost to Martin 6-4, 6-4, while Recht lost to junior Eric Robertson of Minnesota 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3.\nThe Hoosiers have completed their fall play and will return to action in 2002 when they host Toledo and Bowling Green Jan. 19.