TEMPE, Ariz. – Cleveland State men's tennis freshman Lincoln Battle was honored by the ITA this week, as he was named the ITA Midwest Region Rookie of the Year. 

Earlier this spring, Battle was named the Horizon League Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the All-League First Team after finishing with a 19-10 singles record during his first collegiate season. 

Playing the majority of the spring season at the top of the singles lineup, Battle led the Vikings to their ninth Horizon League Tournament title, as Cleveland State picked up wins against Tennessee State and Belmont to capture the 2024 #HLTennis championship. The Vikings then capped off the season by earning a top-10 regional ranking in last week's ITA standings. 

In addition to his singles play, Battle also played at No. 3 doubles for the Vikings during the year, combining for a 20-5 record with Devin Boyer, including a perfect 8-0 mark in regular season Horizon League matches. The duo's 20 wins on the year ranks seventh on the CSU Single-Season Wins List.

Battle is the first Viking to earn ITA Regional honors since 2020 (Nico Mostardi), and is one of 13 players overall to earn Rookie of the Year honors in their respective regions.