ITA Most Improved Senior Award
James Trotter from the Ohio State University has been named the 2023 ITA Most Improved Senior Award winner.
Helping lead Ohio State to an NCAA Runner-Up finish, Trotter throughout the season has served as one of the emotional leaders of the Ohio State team that finished 34-3 on the year.
With one of the most impressive singles records by any player from across the country, Trotter finished his senior season with a 29-1 record which was the most wins by a player this season for the Buckeyes. Trotter was the MVP of the Big Ten Tournament and had gone on a 29 match win streak to begin the year.
After being named Second Team All-Big Ten the past two seasons, Trotter found a new confidence in his game these past two seasons helping him achieve a First Team All-Big Ten selections in 2022 and 2023.
Trotter has been ranked in the Top 35 all season in singles and Top 25 in doubles, including seven weeks in the Top 10. He finished the season ranked No. 21 in singles and No. 6 in doubles.
In the 2023 NCAA Doubles Championship, Trotter and his partner Andrew Lutschaunig were crowned National Champions. They became just the second team in Ohio State men's tennis history to claim the NCAA Doubles Championship.
Trotter ended his final season with the Buckeyes as both a Singles and Doubles ITA All-American.
A Letter From Head Coach Ty Tucker
I want to congratulate James on being named the most improved senior in the country. He really had a remarkable career. James was our MVP for this season, and he deserves the attention he will receive from this prestigious award. The goal for any college athlete should be to play their best in their final season. James was a two-time All-American this season, was the NCAA Doubles Champion and only lost one singles match.
James Trotter will be missed. He brought so much laughter to our team and always remained even keel in the biggest of moments on the court. I know we will struggle to replace his leadership but watching him develop into one of the best tennis players in college tennis was so much fun. His serve was world class and seeing him be recognized with this national award makes me feel darn good.