University of Florida Team Page

Kourtney Keegan, the top-ranked tennis player in the state of Georgia and the eighth-overall rated recruit in the country according to Tennis Recruiting Network, has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her athletic and academic career at the University of Florida, Gator head coach Roland Thornqvist announced.

The 5-foot-11 Keegan was selected as the 2012 USTA Georgia Junior Player of the Year following her outstanding season.

“We had our eyes on Kourtney for a while and from the moment I saw her I was impressed with her integrity when she competed along with the strength and talent she displays on the court,” UF head coach Roland Thornqvist said. “Not only does she possess Florida-Gator-type talent, she has the character to continue our championship tradition and the sportsmanship that we like to display on the court.

“Kourtney will be a leader in the locker room,” Thornqvist continued. “I think the world of her on an off the court. She’s smart, she likes to play and she’s a good character person.”

In her most recent competition, Keegan, a native of Roswell, Ga., reached the final of the Atlanta ITF on Nov. 4, 2012, where she won five matches before falling in a tough championship match.

Keegan captured the 2012 USTA G18 National Clay Court Championships consolation singles title held at the Racquet Club of Memphis, Tenn., in July, when she out-dueled her opponent for a 7-5, 3-6, 12-10 decision to earn the victory.

Keegan also was a singles finalist at the 2012 USTA National Open held in Norcross, Ga., in May, as well as the consolation singles finalist at the USTA BG18-16 National Winter Championships held in Scottsdale, Ariz., where she was forced to withdraw because of injury on Jan. 2, 2012.

She played in the Junior Fed Cup for the last four years in the 16 and 18U teams.

She was awarded the 2011-12 St. Sebastian Award by her peers for being the ‘person that exhibits excellent leadership, a positive attitude and outstanding performance.’ What makes the award even more notable is that it is usually presented to a senior, but Keegan was honored with it her junior year.

Keegan also was honored with the 2012 Jessica Turner Award Leadership Award, an award given to the “junior girl whose involvement in the spiritual life of the school, leadership in extracurricular activities and success in academics embody what the Turner family was developing in their daughter before her untimely passing.”

Keegan, who won a Gold Ball at the U16 Super-National Clay Championships in Virginia Beach for doubles and in singles as a 15-year-old at the Winter Nationals in Phoenix in the 16-and-under division, is a perfect 50-0 playing at Blessed Trinity and has led the team to three consecutive high school state titles.

A multi-sport athlete, Keegan played basketball for three years in high school, won the regional Punt, Pass & Kick competition and was the starting pitcher on her baseball team.

Florida Women’s Tennis Signee

Kourtney Keegan * 5-11 * Roswell, Ga. * Blessed Trinity

For all of the latest information on Florida women’s tennis:

Official Website: http://www.gatorzone.com/tennis/women/

Twitter: @GatorZoneTennis  and  @GatorZoneNews