West Florence’s Browning named All-America

FLORENCE — Bobby Browning has won nearly every school and state award imaginable during his six-year career at West Florence.

You can add a national honor to that list as well.

Browning has been selected by the National High School Tennis All-American Foundation as a High School All-American.

Only 40 players are selected nationally each year, putting Browning in elite company.

“It’s definitely an amazing honor,” Browning said. “I was pretty shocked. It’s really cool to be able to represent your team and your school with a national award like this.”

Browning said this award ranks among the top of his accomplishments, but it’s not quite at the top.

“Winning two state championships is the biggest thing that I’ve done, and going to Furman in the fall will be great, too,” Browning said. “This is a big honor, of course, and it’s kind of like icing on the cake.”

West Florence coach Charles Nelson reflected on the career Browning had as a Knight.

“I found out he was going to be a good player before he ever got to seventh grade,” Nelson said. “He blossomed as a ninth-grader, and he’s been just an outstanding player the last six years.”

Browning is one of just three West Florence players to win 100 matches in his career (108). He’s made all-region four straight years and all-state three straight years, with a fourth nomination likely coming this weekend.

“It’s just a great end to his career,” Nelson said. “He’s very well-deserving and it’s a tremendously big honor for him as an individual.”

Browning has even more honors in the works. He’s the No. 1 seed for this year’s state tournament after winning it last year as a junior.

On May 30-31, he will play in the North/South Senior All-Star match.

“It’s weird thinking about how time has flown, and how short my career was looking back,” Browning said. “It’s going to be hard to leave high school behind, but I’m looking forward to the next phase of my career and my life.”