By Dylan Butler
The Erik Scharf-era in St. John's tennis has come to an end. The Bronxville native, who played No. 1 singles for the Red Storm in each of his four years, fell in the second round of the NCAA singles championships to Washington sophomore Matt Hanlin, 6-3, 6-2 Friday at the University of Georgia.
Trailing 3-2 in the first set, Hanlin took the next three games to win the set, 6-3. In the second set, Scharf went down 3-1 and was unable to rally as Hanlin, who has defeated four players ranked in the top 15 this year, went on to take the second set, 6-2.
Scharf, who was the first player in St. John's history to qualify for the NCAA championships last year, defeated Romain Ambert of Mississippi State, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round last Thursday.
Scharf graduates from St. John's as the school's all-time winningest tennis player with a 120-22 record and he never dropped a match in Big East play. He was 60-6 in No. 1 singles for the Red Storm.
During the 2000-01 season, Scharf compiled a 32-5 record and earned the No. 100 national ranking during the week of April 25. Scharf, who went undefeated in dual match action this year, had several big wins in his senior season. He defeated Purdue's Jason Marshall, then ranked No. 17 nationally at the ITA All-American championship and he advanced to the semifinals as the No. 3 seed of the 128-player ITA Eastern Regional Championships.
Wiski ends successful junior campaign
Former Cardozo tennis star Agnes Wiski recently completed a successful junior year on the University of Tennessee women's tennis team. The Flushing resident finished the year with a 33-12 record, increasing her career mark to 68-55. She was 17-6 in singles and 12-11 in doubles in dual match action. The Lady Vols advanced to the Sweet 16 before falling to the University of Washington.
Wiski had a combined record of 25-7 during the fall, winning two of three flight championships she entered. She teamed with freshman Brooke Cordell during the fall for an 8-1 mark, including two flight championships and one round-robin tournament victory. She was ranked No. 92 nationally in the preseason ITA singles rankings.
During her high school career, Wiski won the PSAL individual crown three straight years and was a member of a Judges team that won the city title two straight years as well as the prestigious Mayor's Cup crown.
Mulhall succeeds off the bench
Little Neck native Cathy Mulhall, a former Cardozo standout, helped lead the Oneonta softball team to a 38-10 record and an appearance in the NCAA Division III Northeast Regional title game. In 12 games as a backup outfielder, the senior hit .353 with six RBIs, one home run and a .706 slugging percentage.
Camps, Camps, Camps
Led by Red Storm head coach Ed Blankmeyer, the St. John's coaching staff will host a summer baseball camp at The Ballpark at St. John's from July 9-13. The camp is open to kids ages 8-14 and costs $225. Checks can be made payable to Ed Blankmeyer.
Players will be grouped according to age and skill level, ranging from Little League (8-11) and Major League (12-14). Each player will be required to bring a glove, bat, t-shirt, sneakers, cleats, water bottle, sweatpants, batting gloves and hat. Catchers should being their equipment.
The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the camp will be held inside Alumni Hall. Campers are expected to bring their own lunch and drinks. Vending machines are located on campus as well. The camp features individual instruction, modified game competition, evaluation of skills, drill works for use at home. Each child will also receive a camp T-shirt. For more information, call the St. John's baseball office at (718) 990-6148.
Red Storm women's basketball coach Darcel Estep will hold a girls basketball camp from Aug. 6-10 at Alumni Hall. The camp, which costs $150, will operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 990-6002.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by e-mail at TimesLedgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 143.
