FLUSHING, N.Y.— John Jay men's tennis, coming off one of its most successful regular seasons in years, was rewarded nicely as three players and their head coach earned prestigious City University of New York Athletic Conference honors. Senior Erkut Cakmak was named CUNYAC / Hospital for Special Surgery Player of the Year, while Yevgeniy Remennik earned the Sportsmanship Award. Derrick Chung was named a first team All-Star, while head coach, Chris Weeks, was named the Coach of the Year.
 
After earning first team honors the past two years, Cakmak earned the top award this season. Playing all matches at No. 1 singles and doubles, Cakmak went a combined 28-4, including 12-3 in singles play and 15-1 in doubles play.  He went undefeated in non conference matches, while going a combined 10-4 in conference matches.
 
“I want to thank my family, friends, coach and my teammates that helped inspire me that helped to lead to this great honor,” said Cakmak. “As a senior, this award was my ultimate accomplishment in terms of athletics. Last, but not least, I would like to thank my school for giving me the opportunity to prove myself and represent John Jay.”
 
Playing for John Jay, sophomore Yevgeniy Remennik shows the essence of sportsmanship with his polite personality win, lose, or draw. He respects officials and opponents regardless of outcome.


“I am honored that people see me as a great team player,” said Remennik. “Being a part of the team represents who I am. I always support my teammates no matter what and always show grace whether win or lose.”
 
On the court, Remennik was not too shabby, going 11-3 in singles play (2-0 at No. 4, 9-3 at No. 5) and 9-6 in doubles, all in the No. 2 spot.
 
Chung, who played for the Bloodhounds during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, returned to college and the tennis court and picked up where he left off. He went 9-5 in singles play, including 1-0 at No.2 and 8-5 at No. 3. As a doubles player, Chung went 8-3. He was 3-1 at No. 1 and 5-2 at No. 3.
 
Weeks, who also coaches men's soccer and women's tennis, earns the Coach of the Year honor for the first time. Since inheriting the program in 2011, the men's tennis team has gone a combined 25-18 overall. This season, John Jay went 12-4, its best win percentage since 1996 (13-4).
 
“I am greatly honored, humbled, and a little surprised,” said Weeks. “It means a lot to me that my colleagues think this highly of me to vote for me as Coach of the Year. I have extremely honored to have been selected.”