Crane Returns for Final Season
8/26/2020 1:52:00 PM | Men's Tennis
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – In the midst of his senior season and his most productive season with Indiana men's tennis, Bennett Crane was devastated with the news in March that the remainder of the season would be canceled.
After thinking through his options, Crane decided to return, enthusiastic to spend more time with his teammates and complete classes for physical therapy school.
"Being part of a team of guys who you really bond with is a great experience and the main reason I wanted to come back for one more year," Crane said. "This program and university have been a great experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything."
IU head coach Jeremy Wurtzman was excited to learn that Crane would be returning for another season.
"I told him how much he has meant to our program and we were happy to get another year to coach him and have him on the team," Wurtzman said. "Bennett was playing incredibly well last year when our season was cut and the experience plus the confidence that he gained will be very important for our team to achieve the success that we all want."
Crane's success started in the fall of 2019, when he reached the final of the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships and qualified for the ITA National Fall Championships.
He carried that success to the spring season as he reached a ranking of No. 49 in singles and teamed up with fellow senior Zac Brodney to earn a ranking of No. 42 in doubles. Crane earned recognition by the Big Ten with a First Team All-Big Ten selection.
Although he came in to IU as a highly ranked junior and one of the best doubles players in the country, he has improved throughout his time at Indiana.
"He has consistently won at every position that he played, but worked his way from #4 singles to #1 singles," Wurtzman said. "Bennett has put the work in on a daily basis to make sure he is prepared for every match that he plays and this mentality has helped him get to his current level as one of the best players in the country."
Crane's teammates are excited he will be coming back.
"Not only has he been a stud on the tennis court, he's also been a great friend and mentor to me and the rest of the younger guys," Patrick Fletchall said. "Bennett is the definition of what a great teammate looks like in the way he treats others and the leadership skills he possesses. I couldn't be more excited to welcome him back for one more year."
Junior Carson Haskins expressed similar sentiments.
"I think it's awesome that Bennett decided to stay, especially after his unbelievable season last year," Haskins said. "The reason I respect Bennett so much is because he works hard not only on the tennis court, but he sets high standards for himself in the weight room and classroom. He will continue to be a great role model for the underclassmen and will help us have great success on the court."
"Bennett leads by example by consistently coming to practice and striving to get the most out of it," Wurtzman said. "He is a quiet leader but his actions speak louder than his words. Assistant coach Mike Murray and I look forward to working with him to help our younger players have the same mentality."
After thinking through his options, Crane decided to return, enthusiastic to spend more time with his teammates and complete classes for physical therapy school.
"Being part of a team of guys who you really bond with is a great experience and the main reason I wanted to come back for one more year," Crane said. "This program and university have been a great experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything."
IU head coach Jeremy Wurtzman was excited to learn that Crane would be returning for another season.
"I told him how much he has meant to our program and we were happy to get another year to coach him and have him on the team," Wurtzman said. "Bennett was playing incredibly well last year when our season was cut and the experience plus the confidence that he gained will be very important for our team to achieve the success that we all want."
Crane's success started in the fall of 2019, when he reached the final of the ITA Ohio Valley Regional Championships and qualified for the ITA National Fall Championships.
He carried that success to the spring season as he reached a ranking of No. 49 in singles and teamed up with fellow senior Zac Brodney to earn a ranking of No. 42 in doubles. Crane earned recognition by the Big Ten with a First Team All-Big Ten selection.
Although he came in to IU as a highly ranked junior and one of the best doubles players in the country, he has improved throughout his time at Indiana.
"He has consistently won at every position that he played, but worked his way from #4 singles to #1 singles," Wurtzman said. "Bennett has put the work in on a daily basis to make sure he is prepared for every match that he plays and this mentality has helped him get to his current level as one of the best players in the country."
Crane's teammates are excited he will be coming back.
"Not only has he been a stud on the tennis court, he's also been a great friend and mentor to me and the rest of the younger guys," Patrick Fletchall said. "Bennett is the definition of what a great teammate looks like in the way he treats others and the leadership skills he possesses. I couldn't be more excited to welcome him back for one more year."
Junior Carson Haskins expressed similar sentiments.
"I think it's awesome that Bennett decided to stay, especially after his unbelievable season last year," Haskins said. "The reason I respect Bennett so much is because he works hard not only on the tennis court, but he sets high standards for himself in the weight room and classroom. He will continue to be a great role model for the underclassmen and will help us have great success on the court."
"Bennett leads by example by consistently coming to practice and striving to get the most out of it," Wurtzman said. "He is a quiet leader but his actions speak louder than his words. Assistant coach Mike Murray and I look forward to working with him to help our younger players have the same mentality."
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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