May 5, 1998 Release # S214         
Contact: Adam Levin          
Sports Information Director          
Phone #: (207) 786-6411
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NORTON AND TODOROV EARN STATE DOUBLES TITLE


  LEWISTON, Maine -- Bates College first-year tennis players Greg Norton of Mansfield, Mass., and Milko Todorov of Sofia, Bulgaria, won the doubles title at the State of Maine collegiate championships.

Norton and Todorov, the Bobcats' number one doubles team most of the season, cruised to their first round victory May 2 at Colby College, defeating Sean Dugan and Wilson Owens of Colby College, 8-1, in the first round. Their second round match May 3 was more of a challenge. After dropping the first set to Bowdoin College's Ben Gates and Chris Laurey, Norton and Todorov rallied to win, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Because of inclement weather, the finals were postponed until May 5. Since Todorov and Norton faced sophomore teammates Peter Dalrymple of Salt Lake City, Utah and Dave Carlson of Ramsey, N.J., the match was played on the Bates College campus. Norton and Todorov took the first set in a tiebreaker, 7-6, before winning the second set, 6-1.

Norton and Todorov compiled a 7-5 record this season as the Bobcats compiled a 4-7 dual meet record. At the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championships, Norton and Todorov reached the quarterfinals of the top-flight doubles before falling to the eventual champions from Williams, the top-ranked team in the region.

"It is very gratifying to see two first-year players winning this title," said head coach Paul Gastonguay '89. "Greg and Milko mesh well together. They are laying the foundation for a strong program."

Norton is a 1997 graduate of Mansfield High School. Todorov is a 1997 graduate of American College of Sofia.

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