Freshmen. seniors carry natters. competitive squad cited by Elltott After falling to Hendrix College by one point in 1975's Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference tennis race, Harding triumphed over its 1975 competitors, taking the 1976 crown with 29 points. In the three-day tournament April 30-May 1, the Bisons outdistanced cohost Ouachita Baptist Un.iversity, the second place finisher, by six points. Harding won all of its first round matches on the second day of the tournament, but relaxed psychologically on the final day, according to Coach David Elliott. In spring action prior to the AIC contest, Harding compiled a 22-5 match record, sweeping over other league colleges and universities by wide margins, most notably Hendrix 72, Southern Arkansas University 8-1 and OBU 6-3. After trouncing Hendrix, the AIC defending champs, on its home courts, Elliott praised his team, 240- TENNIS saying, "This is the most competitive squad I've ever been with." Senior Bob Helton of Bossier City, La., compiled a 30-game winning streak over two years in singles play on the Bison tennis squad. Nicknamed "The Bullit," the antithesis of his nonchalant manner on the court, Helton began his string of victories in 1975 by totaling up 14 wins while playing in sixth position. Helton added the final 16 wins in 1976 play. In the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics District 17 tournament May 6-7 in Little Rock, Harding descended to third place, being outscored by OBU and College of the Ozarks. The team's belowaverage showing was attributed to the tournament being scheduled at the conclusion of final examinations week for the spring semester. OBU had 15 points, followed by Ozarks with 11, Harding with 10 and SAU with 9.
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