Westmont Magazine Sports Illustrated Notices

When Westmont’s Ashley Fickel became the youngest men’s tennis player ever to make the NAIA’s first-team All-America, “Sports Illustrated” noticed by featuring him in its July 29, 1996, “Faces in the Crowd” section. The 16-year-old history major made the team after reaching the men’s doubles finals at the NAIA championships with partner Riva DaSilva last May.

Ashley began playing tennis at age six and has been setting records ever since. At age 12, he enrolled at Santa Barbara City College and became the youngest athlete to secure a spot on a community college tennis team. Last year, he reached the semi-finals in the National Junior Hardcourt Championships, became the youngest male ever to win the Santa Barbara City championship, and was promoted to Westmont’s number one men’s team slot. Ashley says he learned consistency as a Junior player and aggressiveness on the college court, with the help of Westmont coach Chris Elwood.

After he graduates next May, Ashley plans to attend law school.