UCLA men’s tennis signs two recruits

The UCLA men’s tennis team locked in two local Southern Californian recruits, with Daniel Kosakowski from Downey and Clay Thompson from Santa Monica signing national letters of intent.

“I’m very excited ““ the guys on the team are too,” coach Billy Martin said. “They’re both top juniors, and they’ll definitely make a pretty big impact for our team starting their freshman year.”

According to the TennisRecruiting.net’s 2010 rankings, Kosakowski, a Warren High School senior, ranks No. 5 nationally and No. 2 in California. Thompson, a senior from Crossroads High School, ranks No. 10 in the nation and No. 4 in California.

“They’re kids from right here in our own backyard, they know UCLA,” Martin said. “I certainly know Clay really well throughout the years. Plus, I’ve watched him play since he was 10 years old. Daniel, I don’t know quite as well, but certainly have been able to watch him for the last year or so in local tournaments and stuff.”

Both tennis players had remarkable junior campaigns during the 2009 season.

Kosakowski reached the round of 16 in singles play in the International Tennis Federation Easter Bowl in Palm Springs and the United States Tennis Association Boys’ Under-18 National Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Kosakowski won the singles championship at the Southern California Junior Sectionals in July.

Thompson nabbed the singles title and competed in doubles play in the USTA Boys’ 18s National Open Championships in Honolulu, Hawaii, in February.

Like Kosakowski, Thompson also reached the round of 16 in singles play in the ITF Easter Bowl this year. In January, Thompson reached the semifinals in singles at the USTA Winter National Championships in Ariz.

Both Kosakowski and Thompson represented the Southern California Section in the finals at the 2009 USTA Boys’ 18s National Team Championships in Urbana, Ill.

“The team has gotten to know them, and I think that they’ll be really good team guys and fun guys to be around,” Martin said.