Junior Year (2009-10): Duncan earned a spot on the All-Southern Conference first team for singles after posting a 9-12 overall record and 5-4 league mark at number one singles. He notched a 9-10 overall doubles record and a 6-2 conference record, playing in the number two doubles position early in the season, then moving into the top doubles spot through the last half of the season. Duncan recorded a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win over #55 Penn State at number one singles the opening weekend of the season, then had a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat over #64 Clemson in the top singles spot in February. He combined with Andrew Mellow for an 8-6 win over #18 Florida State at number two doubles early in the season. Duncan teamed with Chris Motes for five-straight wins at the end of the regular season in the Paladins’ number one doubles spot. Duncan was named to the All-Southern Conference Academic Team and the Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
Sophomore Year (2008-09): Duncan posted a 25-3 singles record, including a perfect 10-0 league mark, to earn a spot on the All-Southern Conference second team for singles. He put together a 17-match winning streak during the season and was named the Southern Conference Player of the Month for April after recording an 8-0 record for the month. Duncan was 2-0 in doubles play and was a member of the Academic All-Southern Conference Team.
Freshman Year (2007-08): Duncan made an immediate impact for the Paladins, posting a 15-7 singles record and an 8-1 mark in league play, primarily at the no. 6 position. His singles victories included wins over opponents from then-12th-ranked Alabama, then-26th-ranked Miami, and then-75th-ranked Elon.
Prep/Personal: Duncan trained at the Gary Grollman Tennis Academy in Atlanta and played under head coach Wade Boggs at the Westminster Schools. As a senior, he posted a 57-20 singles record in USTA competition. He reached the round of 16 at the USTA Winter Nationals and won the Southern Section in Memphis, Tenn. He was ranked as high as 65th nationally, 3rd in the Southern section, and 2nd in Georgia. Duncan led his prep squad to an undefeated season as a senior and four consecutive state championship titles. He was named the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Georgia Player of the Year as a junior and senior. Duncan was also named a College Board AP Scholar with Distinction and was on the Dean’s List at Furman.
Getting to know Sawyer Duncan
Favorite restaurant:
The Country Ham House
Favorite book: All the King’s Men
Favorite movie: The Odyssey
Favorite TV show: The Office
Craziest ambition: Be a professional squash player
Best non-athletic talent: Vocabulary
Something people don’t know about me: I have five wisdom teeth
The Reality Show I’d Go On: None, if I want reality, I’ll go outside
If I’m cooking, we’re having: country ham, mac & cheese, green beans, sweet tea and banana pudding
Most famous person I’ve met:
Pete Sampras
