The University of Mississippi Athletics
Seniors Leave Behind A Legacy
3/29/2007 | Men's Tennis
By Elizabeth Zaremba
Ole Miss Athletics Media Relations
Outstanding student-athlete, excellent work ethic, exciting player to watch, competitor, clutch and determined. Those are words and phrases that adequately describe the seniors on this year’s Ole Miss men’s tennis team.
With three SEC West titles, two overall SEC Championships, and appearances in the NCAA Final Four and “Sweet Sixteen,” the rsums of Fredrik Aarum and Eric Claesson are impressive. Their collegiate careers may be coming to an end, but the legacy the two will leave behind will be remembered for a long time.
With their accomplishments in secondary school, Aarum and Claesson had several options on where to continue their careers. For both, the decision to come to Ole Miss was an easy one.
“There have been a lot of Swedes here, and there’s a rich tradition,” said Claesson, a native of
Aarum also credited the former players as his reason for coming to
“I was recruited by several places, but after talking to former players, I decided on here,” Aarum said.
Both made an immediate impact for the Rebels, who won the 2004 SEC Championship and the team’s third of five consecutive Western Division titles. Aarum went 24-10 in singles, including 8-1 in the SEC. Claesson cemented his label as a clutch player when he clinched the win against
Claesson has been ranked as high as seventh in the nation in doubles, and earned All-America and All-SEC honors in 2006.
Aarum went 9-2 in dual matches as a sophomore in 2005 and teamed with Erling Tveit at the NCAA Championships to clinch the doubles point against
“It’s been tough,” Aarum said, “I’ve been out for so long, and it’s not easy to come back at full speed.”
This year the two have helped lead Ole Miss to a 16-2 overall record, 5-1 in the SEC and sole possession of first place in the Western Division heading into Friday’s showdown with No. 13 LSU.
The two have also proven themselves off the court, earning several academic honors. They helped the Rebels earn the ITA All-Academic Team Award in 2005 as well as claim the Chancellor’s Cup (Ole Miss men’s team with the highest GPA) every year of their careers. Both are members of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, and Aarum has been named an ITA Scholar-Athlete twice.
The balance of academics and athletics can be tough on athletes, but Aarum says all it takes is hard work and planning.
It’s always possible. You have to be able to schedule your time and your activities,” he said.
Even though they are usually busy on the courts or in the classroom, there is time for other activities. Claesson revealed his other love, bandy. Played in his home country, bandy is a popular sport that is similar to hockey.
Claesson said he started playing bandy at a young age and played until he came to the States.
“It’s the best sport in the world,” Claesson said, “It’s kind of the same (as hockey), but it’s with a ball. The field is about as big as a soccer field.”
Whether on the court or taking part in other activities, the seniors have many memories from their time at Ole Miss. For Claesson, his come-from-behind victory over in-state rival
The home matches with all of the fans would have to be the greatest memory for me,” Aarum said.
With their never-ending hard work and dedication, Aarum and Claesson are sure to succeed in all future endeavors.
“I will graduate in December of 2007,” Aarum said. “Hopefully I will go to graduate school in either the
Continuing with school is also an option for Claesson who changed his major from business to psychology.
“I am not sure exactly what I am going to do, but I know I definitely want to work with people. I have had a great time here, but I plan to return to
With five regular-season matches remaining plus the SEC and NCAA Tournaments, head coach Billy Chadwick knows he will lose two pivotal players at the end of the season.
“We have won numerous titles, and it has been because of the contributions of these players,” Chadwick said. “They are the heart and soul of the team.”
