Baron Named National Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award Winner by ITA
May 25, 2016 | Men's Tennis
The Osuna Award is annually presented to the collegiate player who displays sportsmanship, character, excellent academics, and has had outstanding tennis playing accomplishments as well.
Baron, a native of Nantes, France, is currently ranked second nationally in singles and 21st in doubles, and was named the NCAA Singles Championship's top seed on Wednesday. He is 22-4 overall this year in singles, helping lead MSU back to the NCAA Championship's round of 16 for the 10th time in 11 seasons.
The SEC's Player of the Year, he had a 14-match winning streak that spanned two months from February to April, with all 14 of those wins coming in straight sets at the No. 1 position. That skein included ITA National Player of the Month honors for March. He has now won 19 of his last 20 matches in singles.
Baron, who holds a 3.89 grade point average in international business, is an Academic all-American and three-time Academic all-SEC selection.
"I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of Marco for achieving this award," MSU head coach Andy Jackson said. "Certainly, everyone is familiar with what he has done on the court in terms of results. But sometimes his actions both on and off the court go unnoticed. He has exemplified precisely what being a good sport means during his career and has exhibited tremendous character as a person. He is very deserving of this outstanding honor."
Baron is also one of three finalists in the country for the Tennis Magazine/Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship & Leadership Award, which will be determined by the national tennis publication later this summer.
Along with teammates Romain Ambert and Chris McDonald, Baron will begin play in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships on Thursday.
