ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - NC Wesleyan University men's tennis senior athlete Jhonny Acosta was named as the 2021-22 Male Student-Athlete (Scholar Athlete) of the year, the NCWU athletics department announced this week. 

*This award honors an athlete's academics and athletic achievements and is separate from the Male Athlete of the Year award which will be announced next week. 

Acosta, a native of Ita, Paraguay, recently graduated with his Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and computer Information Systems in May of 2022. Acosta currently works at a summer camp in Virginia helping kids.

"Jhonny has demonstrated wonderful leadership as Captain of the Men's tennis Team," commented head coach Albie Brice. "He demonstrates a strong virtue of encouragement, while holding his teammates to the highest standard, both morally and competitively."

"Jhonny competed with excellence this entire year after losing his mother this past year. He was actually informed of her terminal condition the day of the 2021 Sweet Sixteen match against Johns Hopkins. He lost that match and was devastated that he had let his team and family down. This past September, the young man whom defeated him in that match, was his first opponent at the prestigious ITA Cup. Jhonny defeated him convincingly," continued Brice.

That win was made possible by his winning of the Fall ITA Regional, earning 2021-2022 All American status and he dedicated the win in his mother's memory. Acosta went 2-1 at the National Tournament in May falling in the Quarterfinal round to the eventual champion.

"Jhonny is always the first at practice and the last to leave," coach Brice commented. "His effort in practice and matches always reflects his best effort and his work serves and the measure for all the other players."

Acosta is an Honors Student and has been named to the President's Honor List and Academic All-Conference team with a career GPA of 3.7.

Jhonny has repeatedly volunteered his time, on Sunday afternoons, to help lead the tennis program with Abilities Tennis. The participants look forward to seeing him and he has made such a difference in their time with them.

Acosta helped lead his team to their 13th USA South Regular Season Championship and a final national ranking of 8th in the nation.

"Jhonny represents himself, family, NCWU Athletics and community with honor and integrity;" said Brice. "It has been such an honor to coach and mentor him these last four years."

Schedule of Award Announcements:

July 13: Male Student-Athlete of the Year

July 14: Female Student-Athlete of the Year

July 17: Female Athlete of the Year

July 20: Male Athlete of the Year