(Story courtesy of Babson Athletics)
 
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—Babson College senior Alexander Merson (Palisades Park, N.J.) was selected to compete in the Division III Singles Championship on Wednesday night. 

Merson becomes Babson's second men's player, and first since David Weisman '98 in 1998, to earn one of 32 spots in the NCAA Singles Championship. Weisman, who reached the second round of the 1997 draw, won four of his five matches to become the Beavers' first individual national champion in any sport in 1998. 

Sophomore Edward Wang (Burr Ridge, Ill.) was named as the first alternate for the singles draw and will have a chance to compete if any of the 32 players selected scratch. The bracket will be unveiled on May 22 with play set to run from May 23-26 at Champions Tennis Club in Chattanooga, Tenn. 

Merson, who was tabbed as the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Player of the Year last week, is 18-2 on the year and is currently ninth in the ITA singles rankings. He advanced to the semifinals of the ITA New England Championship back in early October and is 10-1 in dual matches this spring, which includes winning each of his last five decisions. 

No. 12 Babson (18-4) beat MIT to claim its second consecutive NEWMAC title back on April 26, and will face either 24th-ranked Skidmore or Bridgewater State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Brunswick, Maine. 
 
About the NEWMAC

The NEWMAC is an association of 13 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Saint Anselm College (beginning reclassification process with NCAA in 2027-28), Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 21 sports.