FORT WORTH: In her final act for TCU,
Mercedes Aristegui earns two ITA end of season awards. She was selected for her outstanding leadership and sportsmanship winning the Arthur Ashe leadership award and the Cissie Leary Sportsmanship award.
Aristegui earned the ITA Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recognizes outstanding student-athletes in all five divisions (NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO) at the regional and national level. This prestigious award, which dates back to 1982, is presented to the men's and women's national student-athletes who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
Her job as a captain and leader earned her the Cissie Leary Sportsmanship award which honors a Division I women's student-athlete who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to her team, which has enhanced her team's performance and exemplified the spirit of college tennis. The award dates back to 1997 and is in memory of the late and widely admired Penn women's tennis coach Cissie Leary.
The senior captain from Spain was recognized by the ITA committee for her exceptional work off the court as well as on the court. Aristegui played a huge role for TCU this season, as the Horned Frogs capped off the 2023 season with the first-ever NIT Tennis Championship. Head Coach Lee Taylor Walker put his trust in Aristegui at the beginning of the season. Her selflessness and what she embodies as a person is what TCU Women's Tennis is truly about. "Mercedes represents our team as captain in a formal way, but she volunteers herself to serve as a guest speaker, mentor, and a person who stands up for others who aren't willing to speak up for themselves," he said. "Mercedes' far-reaching charisma is the epitome of TCU Tennis- spreading our values in a positive way through our sport."
TCU drastically improved this season from a year ago where the Frogs finished with a losing record. A big part of that turnaround is in due part to the senior captain. With eight athletes from seven countries, Aristegui led her team to a 16-9 record. Aristegui finished the season ranked No. 98 in the overall ITA rankings. She finished the season with an overall record on 15-4 in singles. The second most wins on the team.
Head coach Lee Taylor Walker has expressed his gratitude toward his captain.
"We do not have captains regularly. In my 16 years of being a head coach, I have only had two. Team Captain is an honor Mercedes has earned because of her consistency of effort, attitude, and overall excellence in the last five years. She leads boldly and pulls from past experiences and past teams to create different ways to inspire the team. Player led accountability is a difficult task to accomplish, but when Mercedes speaks, everyone in the room listens carefully."
Her leadership on the team projected TCU into championship contention making history this season. Her lasting legacy provided a foundation for the team even in her absence.
