University of Minnesota Athletics
Young Named ITA Central Region Coach of the Year
5/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Young, who just finished his fifth season patrolling the baselines for Minnesota, led a talented Gopher squad to the NCAA tournament for the third straight season and to its best record since 2003 (team finished 21-6 that season).
Minnesota was 3-0 against regional competition this year and was 8-2 at home, 8-2 on the road and 3-2 at neutral sites. The Gophers were 14-6 against ranked competition and of their six setbacks, only one (a 4-3 loss to No. 38 Fresno State on May 13) came against a team not ranked in the top 30.
Young led the Gophers to a third place finish in the Big Ten regular season and guided Minnesota to the Big Ten tournament final. During the season, Minnesota snapped a 19-match losing streak to Illinois when the Gophers beat the Illini 4-3 on the road. It was Minnesota's first win against Illinois since 1996. The Gophers also reclaimed the Little Brown Jug by upsetting Michigan 5-2.
The Gophers began the year ranked No. 33 and rose to No. 16 in the rankings in the first week of March. Minnesota was ranked 19th when their season ended. Season-ending rankings will be announced in the near future.