Greater Wichita Sports Banquet names Nhavene Junior College Male Athlete of the Year

During the 25th annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet held on Thursday, June 29 at the Drury Inn in Wichita, KS, Cowley College freshman men's tennis player Bruno Nhavene was named the Junior College Male Athlete of the Year.

The event celebrates sports excellence in south-central Kansas.

Kansas State University men's basketball coach Jerome Tang was the featured speaker, and Major League Baseball great Buster Posey was on hand to announce the 2023 National Collegiate Catcher of the Year. 

Nhavene reached tremendous heights as a member of the national champion Cowley College men's tennis team after coming to Cowley from Mozambique.

Regarded as one of the nation's top singles and doubles players, he teamed with Boruch Skierkier to win the fall doubles title at the ITA Cup in Rome, GA.  

Nhavene then helped the Tigers to a No. 1 ranking and a record of 12-1 in the spring season. Individually, he went 27-1 in singles play and was the national champion at No. 3 singles. He also went 29-2 in doubles play and teamed with Takeshi Taco to win the national title at No. 1 doubles.

His stellar play helped the Tigers capture the NJCAA Division I Men's Tennis National Tournament title, Cowley's first tennis championship since 1991. 

"Bruno is a guy who doesn't really care for individual awards, his focus was 100% on winning the national championship with the team," Cowley College head tennis coach Manuel Raga said. "I am so proud of him, his hard work and dedication to the team throughout the year was inspiring to witness. I am happy to be his coach and can't wait to see what the future holds for him."