Junior year (2014-15): Horst earned his second-consecutive All-Southern Conference citation, earning a spot on the second team at flight four singles after recording an 8-10 overall record and an unblemished 6-0 mark at the position. He was undefeated in singles from March 20 versus Mercer through the end of the season with victories over Mercer, Chattanooga, Samford, The Citadel, UNCG, and Wofford to close out the regular season. Horst notched a 6-1, 6-2 victory versus Wofford in the second round of the Southern Conference tournament after holding a significant lead over Chattanooga in an unfinished match to open the tournament. In doubles play he teamed with Matt Browne, and the Paladin duo posted a 9-14 overall record and 3-4 SoCon mark, playing primarily in the top-flighted doubles position. Browne and Horst recorded a 6-1 victory at flight two versus 66th-ranked Louisiana on opening day, and the Paladin duo defeated Chattanooga, 8-7, in the opening round of the SoCon tournament then beat Wofford, 8-3, in the second round.
Sophomore year (2013-14): Horst was named second team All-Southern Conference at flight six singles after posting an 11-3 overall singles and 5-1 league mark, including a 10-2 record at flight six. He won nine of ten singles matches from February 1 through April 3 then closed out the season with wins over Wofford and UNC Greensboro. Horst defeated Michael Swank, 6-3, 6-7,6-3 at flight six singles, breaking a 3-3 tie to lead Furman to a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over 68th-ranked Iowa on March 18. He also recorded a 7-5, 2-6, 10-5 win at flight six over #42 Pepperdine. Horst combined with Matt Browne for a 6-3 flight three doubles win at #23 Clemson on January 17 then teamed with Alex Christ for four-straight doubles wins over league foes , UNC Greensboro, The Citadel, Chattanooga, and Appalachian State.
Freshman year (2012-13): Horst saw limited action for the Paladins, appearing in one singles match and one doubles match. He was named to the Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
Prep/Personal: A six-time all-region and all-state selection at the Hammond School, Ben Horst was chosen the S.C. Independent School Association (SCISA) Player of the Year as a sophomore after winning the SCISA individual tournament. The regional player of the year from 2009-2012, he completed his prep career with a 52-3 record at number one singles. Horst helped his team to region championships for five-consecutive years from 2008-2012. A member of the National Honor Society, he graduated with honors. Benjamin Allen Horst was born on June 29, 1994, in Columbia, S.C. to Julian Horst and Eric Horst. His father was a member of the men’s tennis team at Francis Marion. He plans to study biology/pre-medicine.
