HAMILTON – Head Tennis Coach Bobby Pennington announced the incoming Class of 2028, featuring five newcomers looking to make an immediate impact on the men's and women's tennis programs next fall. 

The five rookies hail from three different states, including New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, with one student-athlete heading to Hamilton from the United Kingdom. Combined, the newcomers boast a combined six league championships and eight All-Conference selections.

"I think these student-athletes will contribute to winning right away," Pennington said. "We have two really quality women coming in and three really good men that will make a positive impact on our program." 

The five incoming student-athletes are listed below in alphabetical order. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Anya Kunar
5-6
Easton, Conn. | Joel Barlow High School | United States Tennis Association 

Before Colgate
Spent four years on the varsity tennis squad under Julia Frattaroli at Joel Barlow High School… Notched an undefeated record in first singles from 2020-2023, only losing one set during that time… Was a First Team South West Conference selection and Connecticut All-State team for the first three years of her career… Is the number one ranked high school women's player in Connecticut, and was ranked as high as 51 nationally. 

Personal
Born: Anya Mishara Kunar in Stamford, Conn. 
Family: Daughter of Nicola and Ariel… has one brother, Kaelen. 

Anya on choosing Colgate: "Colgate was the first school to really show interest in me, so from the start they have always been on the top of my list. I had built a great rapport with the assistant coaches, and when I went to visit the school for the first time in April of 2023, I fell in love with the campus. It really is such a beautiful school, and seeing everyone walk around and saying hi to everyone they passed really showed how close-knit the school community was."

Coach Pennington on Anya: "Anya is the type of player that can play very high in the lineup right away. She is a high four-star recruited by a lot of different schools. She has a very explosive game with a big forehand that can do just about anything. She certainly has the ability to lead the team from the top of the lineup." 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lochlan Seth
6-1
West Newton, Mass. | Newton North High School

Before Colgate
Played three years of varsity tennis under Philip Goldberg at Newton North… Only lost three matches across three seasons playing in the first and second slots… Led the Tigers to a second-place finish in the Bay State Conference and a spot in the state semifinals… Earned Massachusetts All-Star and All-Scholastic honors in 2022… Ranks in the USTA top 10 for New England and top 150 nationally. 

Personal
Born: Henry Lochlan Raj Seth in Boston, Mass. 
Family: Son of Jessica and Raj… has one brother, Pierce. 

Lochlan on choosing Colgate: "While going through the college recruiting process, I looked at dozens of schools, but none combined academics, athletics, and culture the same way Colgate did. The atmosphere around the school and the way everybody interacted was unique. I felt as though everybody at Colgate had a special connection and, above all else, were happy. After going on all my visits, Colgate was undoubtedly the best place for me, not just because of the academics, but because I saw myself happily becoming a part of a community that will last me for life."

Coach Pennington on Lochlan: "I saw Lochlan play at the National Hardcourts in Kalamazoo over the summer, and you don't make it there unless you're an amazing player. He was super impressive there because he has an explosive game but can also play in a variety of ways. He has the ranking and ability to come in and play number one as a first-year. That shows just how high his ceiling is and if he keeps training and working he can be one of those players that can be a multi-year number one."

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rebecca Hess
5-4
Cedar Grove, N.J. | Mount Saint Dominic Academy

Before Colgate
Played four seasons of varsity tennis under Brianna Turano at Mount Saint Dominic Academy… Finished her career with a 53-9 record… Ranks in the top-five for N.J. senior tennis players and just outside the top 250 nationally… Captained the Lady Lions her senior year, and played a part in the team's Colonial and Liberty Division Championship… A four-time First Team All-Liberty Division Selection… Was crowned Wayne Valley Tournament Champion in first singles her sophomore year and earned Second Team All-State honors her senior season. 

Personal
Born: Rebecca Theresa Hess in Paterson, N.J.
Family: Daughter of Pamela and Robert… has two sisters, Ashley and Brooke. 

Rebecca on choosing Colgate: "I was drawn to Colgate initially because of the great academics, small class sizes, and beautiful campus. After taking my official visit, I fell in love with the school and tennis team. It was such a welcoming environment where I felt right at home."

Coach Pennington on Rebecca: "I've seen Rebecca play the last couple summers and she's a very smart player. She plays a really crafty style and breaks opponents down by using variety in her game. I could see her winning a ton of matches for us because she doesn't beat herself and plays super smart. She comes from a really good tennis family too, with both of her sisters playing at Dartmouth. I'm really excited to get her and I think she will contribute right away." 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tim Viding
5-10
Rochester, England | Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School | Bromley Sports Club

Before Colgate
Played four years under head coach Thomas Martin Jarvis at Bromley Sports Club… Was a two-time national champion representing Kent in the U18 Division I County Cup… Ranked in the top 70 players in the United Kingdom under 18… Reached the Premier Division National Finals at the NTC IN 2022 and 2023… Also played badminton, where he qualified for the Kent Cup Finals, and Cross Country, where he also qualified for the Kent Cup Finals on four occasions. 

Personal
Born: Timothy Viding in Rochester, England.
Family: Son of Olga and Viktor… has one brother, Ronald. 

Tim on choosing Colgate: "I wanted to find the perfect fit between academics and tennis and Colgate seemed like the place for this. Being a Division I college with a strong liberal arts core resonated with me, and I can't wait to be on campus this fall."

Coach Pennington on Tim: "I think 71% of college tennis is now international, and we rarely get an international player. He is a brilliant kid and a very solid player. I think he's really appreciative of the opportunity and I could see him contributing right away." 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wesley Nichols
6-0
Redding, Conn. | Joel Barlow High School

Before Colgate
Played four years of varsity tennis under Edward Weiss at Joel Barlow High School… Finished his career with a 44-5 overall school record, including an undefeated record his junior year, and earned a spot in the Connecticut State Open Quarterfinals… Was the 2022 and 2023 South West Conference Champion in first singles… Earned a First Team All-State selection in 2023… Also captained the Falcons his senior year. 

Personal
Born: Wesley Donald Nichols in Norwalk, Conn.
Family: Son of Valeria and Wayne…has two brothers, Tyson and Myles. 

Wesley on choosing Colgate: "My official visit at Colgate University was instrumental in my decision to go here. Spending time with the coaching staff and players on the tennis team exemplified the community-like atmosphere that I was looking for. Colgate has a very strong academic program and I feel I will be able to grow as a student-athlete."

Coach Pennington on Wesley: "Wesley is a very strong player with an explosive game and great athleticism. He has a very high ceiling and I look for him to try and crack the lineup right away. He comes from an area in Connecticut where we get a lot of Colgate kids, so we're very familiar with him and his coaches and look forward to getting him on campus."