Illinois and Ohio State Presented Men’s Tennis Weekly Awards

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its men’s tennis weekly awards for matches played January 15-20, 2026.

Player of the Week
Alex Okonkwo, Ohio State
Jr. – Maidenhead, England – Tulsa (NCAA)

• Compiled a 3-0 record as No. 6 Ohio State recorded 4-0 shutout wins over Toledo and Xavier on Sunday
• Won 24-of-25 games (.960) playing at No. 1 doubles and No. 2 singles
• Teamed with Alexander Bernard for a pair of wins at No. 1 doubles, improving his season record to 11-4  
• Captured his lone singles match with a 6-0, 6-0 decision against Xavier
• Ranked 48th nationally in singles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)
• Last Buckeye named Player of the Week: Jack Anthrop (Nov. 12, 2025)

Freshman of the Week
Sasha Colleu, Illinois
Fr. – Miami, Fla. – IMG Academy

• Went 2-0 for No. 24 Illinois in a 5-2 setback to No. 7 Mississippi State on Friday
• Posted a 6-3, 6-0 decision over 34th-ranked Bryan Hernandez Cortes at No. 5 singles, winning in straight sets for the fifth time this season
• Joined forces with Gabriel Debru for a 6-0 victory at No. 2 doubles
• Secures his first Big Ten weekly honor
• Last Illinois player named Freshman of the Week: Adam Jilly (Sept. 17, 2025)

2025-26 Big Ten Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Sept. 17       
P: Ozan Baris, Sr., MSU
F: Adam Jilly, Fr., ILL

Sept. 24       
P: Nikita Filin, So., OSU
F: —

Oct. 1          
P: Aidan Kim, Jr., OSU
F: Sam Olszakowski, ORE

Oct. 8          
P: Nicholas Steglehner, Sr., MICH
F: Arnav Bhandari, Fr., MICH

Oct. 15        
P: Sam Landau, Sr., IND
F: Jeri Lassila, Fr., NEB

Oct. 22        
P: Spencer Johnson, Jr., UCLA
F: Max Dahlin, R-Fr., MICH

Oct. 29        
P: —
F: —

Nov. 5         
P: David Saye, Sr., MSU
F: —

Nov. 12       
P: Jack Anthrop, Sr., OSU
F: Max Dahlin, R-Fr., MICH

Jan. 14         
P: Bjorn Swenson, Sr., MICH
F: Max Exsted, Fr., USC

Jan. 21         
P: Alex Okonkwo, Jr., OSU
F: Sasha Colleu, Fr., ILL