SKILLMAN, N.J. ? Not ranked among the country’s top 125 Division I men’s tennis athletes in the most recent poll last month, Elon senior Damon Gooch soared to a program-best No. 61 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association singles rankings released Thursday afternoon. Gooch easily improved upon his previous Phoenix-best No. 72 ranking, attained last year.

The highest rated Southern Conference player, Gooch was joined in the rankings by three opponents he has defeated this season ? No. 15 Enrique Olivares of No. 36 East Tennessee State, No. 42 Taylor Fogleman of No. 22 North Carolina and No. 91 Christian Welte of No. 34 North Carolina State. SoCon rival No. 70 Furman’s No. 106 Robert Ladyman and No. 123 Philipp Fuelkell were also recognized.

One of the most decorated tennis players in Phoenix history, Gooch is a two-year captain, a two-time team MVP, a three-time First Team All-Southern Conference singles and doubles player, a five-time SoCon Player of the Week and a three-time SoCon Athlete of the Month. He advanced to the ITA Mideast Regional Championship semifinals in October, marking the best finish ever in the tournament by an Elon player.

Gooch has been a cornerstone for the Phoenix at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles throughout his career, earning SoCon Freshman of the Year accolades in 2006 and helping his team to a pair of SoCon regular-season titles to go with a SoCon tournament title and an NCAA tournament appearance. He has also appeared on the Academic All-Southern Conference and ITA Scholar-Athlete teams.

Gooch and sophomore partner Philip Nemec were rated No. 49 in the ITA national doubles rankings, also released Thursday. The North Carolina duo of Fogleman and Clay Donato, who lost to Gooch and Nemec last month, were listed at No. 11. The Phoenix (4-4) will return to the courts at 1 p.m. Saturday at Charlotte.