Florida Tech’s Mariana Castaneiras Wins Title At Juan Varon Wildcat Invitational
By Florida Tech // November 2, 2015
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Facing Bethune-Cookman’s Hilary Hanton on her home court, Florida Tech sophomore Mariana Castaneiras defeated her opponent 6-2, 6-2 to win the Women’s Juancho Singles Draw as competition concluded Sunday at the Juan Varon Wildcat Invitational.
Castaneiras’ title is the second in as many years at the B-CU hosted event for the Panthers. Jessica Widmark defeated all comers in the Women’s D Singles Bracket during the 2014 fall season.
“The women had some great upsets of Division 1 opponents in singles and doubles,” said head coach Bill Macom.
“Mariana and Jess and Alahna and Erin took care of the Iowa State pairs in tiebreakers. Kayla and Lauren came back to beat a tough UCF duo as well. Mariana played some of her best singles of the fall. She did a great job beating Rolle from FAMU on Saturday by using her opponent’s pace to her advantage. They all made some solid adjustments to come through with their wins.”
Caroline Walter also finished the invitational with a win, defeating Hillsborough Community College’s Alexis Kelson 8-1.
As aluded to, Erin Egoroff and Alahna Reto advanced to the finals in their draw by defeating Iowa State’s Annabella Bonadonna and Alejandra Galvis 8-7. The pair fell 8-3 in the championship round of their draw to Barry’s Judith Bohnenkamp and Sonja Larsen.
Castaneiras and Widmark claimed third-place in their bracket, topping Embry-Riddle’s Giovanna Tomiotto and Meena Bennett 8-5.
For the Panther men, Ivan Shapovalov and Lee Schimdt teamed up to win the consolation finals in their draw, besting Jonathan Cheng and Alastair Knox 8-5.
“All of the men were able to raise their level of play with every match,” continued Macom.
“Our return game was the best it has been all fall. Wade and Majed played one of the best Florida Tech doubles matches that I have seen in many years. They did a great job applying their practices into their singles and doubles matches all weekend.”
With the conclusion of the invitational, FIT has completed its fall season.
The Panthers will return in the spring with the commencement of head-to-head duals competition.
