Extraordinary Binghamton University freshman men’s tennis player Gilbert Wong continues to pile on awards to his already lengthy resume. Over the weekend, Wong was honored with the America East tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award. His accolades have drawn praise across the board, and this last award is the perfect ending to a nearly perfect regular season.

Wong’s first collegiate season has been nothing short of amazing, as he played to a 32-7 overall record, with an 18-3 record in duals. Wong has repeatedly proved that he is more than ready for the level of play that he will encounter at the collegiate level.

“I think my teammates are a huge part of my success and feel they have supported me all the way throughout the year,” Wong said. “Being hard-working is important as well, but the most important thing remains my teammates and their support all season long. Without them, I don’t think I would be playing so [well] right now.”

Wong is one of four freshmen that Binghamton head coach Adam Cohen brought in to replace the three seniors who graduated after the 2007-08 season. Last year, two top-30 players in the Northeast Region, No. 20 Faisal Mohamed and No. 28 Sebastian Dietz, saw their careers come to a close. With the inspiring play of the freshmen, Binghamton University was able to match last year’s accolades in securing a NCAA tournament berth over the weekend.

Success with international players has been a key to building the current team. Cohen and his staff have worked to make the school home to many international recruits, and Wong is one of many who have been cropped and picked from overseas to play for the Bearcats. Before heading to Binghamton, Wong was heralded for being one of Hong Kong’s top collegiate level prospects. He excelled during his time in Hong Kong, holding the country’s top ranking for players in 16s and 18s. Along with amassing a terrific singles career prior to coming to Binghamton that included securing as high as the 228th ranking, Wong started for Hong Kong’s national team in the 2007 Davis Cup.

“He comes to practice every day, works hard, and he has improved throughout the year,” Cohen said. “He is a great competitor and he is not an easy guy to beat because he competes hard. He makes a lot of balls, he is fast and it takes a lot to beat him.”

Along with outstanding play at singles, Wong has formed a special relationship with sophomore Sven Vloedgraven, and the two have combined to keep their opponents in check all season long at doubles.

“We are very good friends, and he is a very good doubles partner,” Wong said. “I know what he is going to do and what he is thinking. He is a really good player that I like to compete with. He is one of the guys who motivates me and will make me improve.”

Wong’s 32 wins tie him with Akshay Rao atop Binghamton’s all-time win list in a single season, and his 18 wins in duals place him fourth on the school’s list. Along with securing school records, he was able to collect team-best records for both the fall and spring seasons.

The team-oriented Wong remains keyed in on the upcoming tournament, and while his immediate goal is to find further success in the tournament, the ultimate goal for the Bearcats this year and next will be bringing the program to the next level.

“All year the whole team has been playing really good tennis and has been supporting one another,” Wong said. “[It] has showed me team spirit and that is really important for a college team. I hope we have a good NCAA tournament, but we have to take it one step at a time. We have to think we will win at least the first round.”