July 16, 2009
ATLANTA – The Georgia Tech men’s tennis team concluded its 2009 recruiting class with the signing of Juan Spir and Magin Ortiga to national letters-of-intent, head coach Kenny Thorne announced Thursday.
“Overall I am very happy with the recruiting class, but as everyone knows, we don’t overemphasize past accomplishments in recruiting,” Thorne said. “Each player must step up at the college level and win, and that is our goal.”
A native of Medellin, Colombia, Spir comes to Tech after a standout career at the junior level in which he received a world-ranking as high as No. 48 in 2008. Standing at 6-4, he picked up 56 wins in singles play and 32 in doubles.
Spir gained plenty of experience at the international level after competing in three of the four World Junior Grand Slam events. He took the title at the ITF Grade 1 Tournament in Barranquilla. Spir attended Colegio Lujan in Medellin, receiving MVP honors all four years in high school. Born to an American mother, he has dual citizenship with the United States and Colombia.
“We are excited to have someone with Juan’s credentials representing us here at Georgia Tech,” Thorne added. “The advantage that Georgia Tech has over other schools is that it attracts very high quality student-athletes. Juan is definitely in that category. He is a top junior player in the world, and it has been a pleasure recruiting him. He understands the opportunity he has before him, and I know he will help this program meet the high goals set each year. We needed some size on this team, and he brings it.”
A former Colombian national team member, Ortiga recently graduated from Colegio Jorge Washington in Cartagena, Colombia. He was the top-ranked player in Colombia in the 12, 14 and 16 age groups, and finished in the top-10 at the South American Tennis Championships in 2004 (2nd) and 2006 (6th).
“Magin has been one of the top-three players in South America and the top player in Colombia,” Thorne said. “He is a great fighter and an accomplished player. He is even a better person from what we have learned in the recruiting process, so I am happy with the high level of character we are bringing on this team.”
The two incoming freshmen join Tennessee Tech transfer Dean O’Brien to give the 2009 recruiting class three members.
