Munch-Soegaard Snares Another Posteason Honor
6/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
June 3, 2009
Story written by Lance Lahnert, Amarillo Globe-News
Frog Takes Dick Bynum Award, June 3, 2009
AMARILLO, Texas -- Although Nina Munch-Soegaard saw her spring tennis season at Texas Christian University delayed with a shoulder injury, she's the one usually leaving opponents hurt.
The junior and TCU No. 1 singles player has left her mark on the college scene by recently participating in the NCAA outdoor championships, earning All-American status by being ranked in the top 15 of the country, and last fall became the first Horned Frog women's singles player to advance to the semifinals at the National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships.
For her achievements, Munch-Soegaard was honored Tuesday afternoon with the Third Annual Dick Bynum Award going to the outstanding Amarillo-area female college athlete. The award was presented by the Downtown Lions Club at a regularly scheduled meeting.
The past two Bynum winners were Oklahoma and Amarillo High basketball player Leah Rush (2007 and West Texas A&M and Amarillo High basketball player Emily Brister (2008).
"This is a great honor because a lot of talent comes out (of the Texas Panhandle)," Munch-Soegaard said. "Just to be nominated is an honor. This was neat and I had a lot fun at the meeting."
Munch-Soegaard, who was home-schooled while growing up in Amarillo, made an instant impact on the college scene earning the Mountain West Conference freshman of the year honor in 2007 and the past two years she was All-MWC in singles.
Her career mark at TCU is 63-24 overall in singles and 49-24 in doubles.
Before her injury in February - which will require surgery next week - Munch-Soegaard advanced to a No. 6 ranking in college.
"I started playing tennis when I was 2 or 3 when my dad (Jan, Amarillo Tennis Center tennis pro) started teaching me," Munch-Soegaard said. "I just kind of stuck with it. I played a little basketball but tennis was always the sport I enjoyed and I might have opportunities to get far with."
Munch-Soegaard said TCU has been a perfect fit for her career.
"My goal this year was to make the NCAAs and All-American and I was able to do that," said Munch-Soegaard, who recently lost in the first round of the elite NCAA tourney following a long layoff from competition. "Next year I definitely want to do the same thing and if I'm not injured show what I can do at the NCAAs."
Players Mentioned
