Ferguson celebrates senior day, long career from home

PJ Tikalsky Staff Reporter

we’d like to in a couple of situations,” said Cowgirls coach Chris Young. “I think we’ve learned from that; I think we’ve adjusted and done some things with our lineup… now going into the Big 12 Tournament, we have an opportunity to still compete for a championship, and hopefully that’s something that the girls can do and perform well.”

What’s at stake

When it comes to the NCAA Tournament, the Cowgirls are a lock as they are at No. 18 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association team rankings. There’s another incentive that lies just barely out of their grasp, too — a combination of positive results at the Big 12 Tournament in Lawrence, Kansas, and matches across the country this weekend could push them into the top 16, making Stillwater eligible to host regional play in early May. Young is excited at the prospect of a homecourt advantage but doesn’t think it’s a given.

“It’s going to really depend on what happens in conference tournaments,” he said. “You know, the SEC conference has several schools that are right there ahead of us. Some of them play each other, so that’ll make for an interesting dynamic… getting a win against Texas Tech would strengthen our resume, then we’d have an opportunity to play Texas again.

“The Big 12 conference is tough… if we had four hosts out of the 16, that would be pretty special for our conference.”

Cowboy tennis teams season on the line in Lawrence:

The back half of the spring has not been kind to the men’s tennis team.

After amassing an 11-3 nonconference record heading into spring break, things were looking up in a significant way for coach Dustin Taylor’s second year with the program.

What followed was the Cowboys going 1-10 in their last 11 matches of the season and 0-5 in conference play for the second year in a row. There were some difficult opponents along the way: USC, Texas and TCU are all top-10 teams, and close losses to perennial contenders UCLA and Tulane showed the thin margins the Cowboys were operating on. Defeats against Tulsa, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Baylor, though, were more deflating. The Cowboys finished last in the Big 12 again and will have to face a 31st-ranked Texas Tech team that’s gaining momentum in the first round of the conference tournament.

What’s at stake: Their entire season. Last year, the Cowboys missed the NCAA Tournament with a 12-12 record and an 0-5 Big 12 record. This year, with the same records, a loss on Friday vs Texas Tech would place them under the .500 win percentage threshold needed to qualify for selection.

The Big 12, for men and women, is one of the tougher tennis conferences in the country, but this isn’t a situation Taylor is taking lightly. He’s hoping some time away from tennis focused on fitness will reinvigorate the squad in time for Friday morning’s match against the Red Raiders.

Progress is not linear. OSU has been invited to an inaugural NIT Tournament with eight teams not selected for the NCAAs, guaranteeing some sort of postseason tennis beyond this weekend. But if the Cowboys have ever needed to find their groove again, it’s this week, and they shouldn’t be counted entirely out either.

“The hunger, you know, it’s dwindled a little bit over the last few weeks,” Taylor said. “There’s no denying that. This whole team and staff consist of a bunch of winners, and I don’t think any of us have probably lost nine out of 10 at anything, let alone tennis, in life. It certainly takes its toll on you, it takes its toll on your mind, takes its toll on your hunger for sure… I think we’re getting some hunger back just by stepping away from the game for a bit and getting super fit.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Chase Ferguson, the lone graduate from the Cowboy tennis team this year, received a bittersweet send-off. His match was called off in the third set after Baylor clinched a match win. After losing the regular season finale at home, the mood on the courts was disenchanting for the Cowboys tennis team. However, regardless of the match result on the day, Ferguson said he will remember his time at OSU fondly.

“It means a lot to me, to be on the same team as my teammates,” said Ferguson, who also served as this year’s team captain. “I wouldn’t have wanted to do this last year with anyone else.” Hugs were exchanged with coaches and fans at the Greenwood Center rose to their feet in applause. Ferguson stood before the crowd, his teammates standing behind him, arms interlinked with each other. Surrounded by given and chosen family, the presence of his mother and aunt with him at the ceremony was a welcome moment for the fifth-year senior.

“I haven’t really had a chance to see my family for a long time now, just being in college,” Ferguson said. “This weekend was actually the first time my mom’s seen me play in person in about five years.”

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Ferguson spent the first part of his college career at South Florida.

Last year, Cowboys coach Dustin Taylor reruited him after Ferguson spoke with with Billy Heiser, a fellow tennis coach and mutual contact, about continuing his development. On the court, Ferguson garnered 15 wins in all competitions and wins over opponents from Central Florida and Tulane that may prove to be vital for OSU’s NCAA Tournament chances.

“Today was about Chase Ferguson,” Taylor said.

“He’ll play some pro tennis after this, and hopefully he makes a career out of it.”

Ferguson proves to be a key player on the top courts moving into the postseason, but off the court Ferguson is one of the team’s social catalysts. He’s also not too bad of a roommate, according to fellow teammate Alex Garcia.

“He’s like a joyful personality; it’s a lot of fun to be around him,” Garcia said. “I get along with him pretty well. I live with him. We watch TV together. He’s just one of these guys that I feel no pressure. I’m just happy because I’m playing with him.”

Whether it’s motivating his teammates on the court or reviewing the latest episode of TV from the couch, Ferguson’s tenure in Stillwater will be one long felt by himself, his teammates, and coaches for years to come.

“When I leave college, I’m going to think of these guys always as my close friends,” Ferguson said.