MACON, GA. – Furman junior Walker Allen and freshman Landon Ecarma won the Flight C doubles championship to lead the Paladin men's tennis team this weekend at the Mercer Gridiron Classic from Mercer's John Drew Smith Tennis Center.

Allen and Ecarma teamed up for four victories in the main flight, defeating Chattanooga's Sebastian Johnson and Tristan Ryerson, 6-3, before holding off Victor Mayer and Eduardo Valentin of Presbyterian, 7-6(5). In the semifinals, the duo topped North Georgia's Tyler Cunningham and Juan Cruz Blanco, 6-2, to advance to the championship match. Allen and Ecarma would claim the title against Ben Brandl and Joao Luis Silva of North Georgia.

The Paladins recorded a total of 10 victories throughout the weekend with Allen and Ecarma responsible for all four doubles triumphs to go with six singles victories. The final day of competition was halted early due to inclement weather.

Ecarma collected two singles wins playing at Flight C1. A native of Louisville, Ky., he began the weekend with a 6-3, 6-4 victory versus Duarte Mestre of Middle Georgia State, and added a straight set win over Mayer the following day, 6-1, 7-6(4).

On Saturday, Furman compiled four singles victories including one from Ecarma. In Flight A1, Allen defeated Simon Malis of Flager, while Nicolas Dispas won in straight sets over Flagler's Aly El Rafie, 6-4, 7-5. Sam Fancutt added a 6-1, 6-1 win against Tim Bonner of Middle Georgia State.

Fancutt posted another win Sunday afternoon against Johnson.

The Paladins are off next weekend before traveling to Cary, N.C., October 16-20, to compete at the ITA Carolina Regional Championship.

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