SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference has announced its Men's Tennis All-Academic Team for the 2022-23 season. SMC's James Watt was named to this year's 12-member first team, that encompasses WCC student-athletes who excelled both on the court and in the classroom.
 
At the conclusion of each athletic season, the WCC selects an all-academic squad for each WCC-sponsored sport. To be considered, a student-athlete must maintain at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average, while also being a significant contributor to his team and in at least their second year at their school.
 
Watt attained a 3.59 GPA in his final year of eligibility, and the economics major was named to the WCC All First Team in 2023, as he was again the Gael at the one position for SMC, taking on every opponent's top player in singles. The six-foot-nine, fifth-year senior repeated as champion of the "A Flight Singles" at the prestigious UCSB Fall Classic in 2023 as well.
 
The New Zealand native got the clinching win at the one spot in the Gaels win over 15-9 (6-3) Santa Clara as he grinded out a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 win over SCU's Arthur Neuhaus.
 
Watt was All-WCC Honorable Mention last year as a singles player and with his doubles partner from 2022, Boris Reckow and an All-Academic Honorable Mention with a 3.47 GPA last year.
 
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