LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Head men's tennis coach Carlos Vargas added a pair of players in Nicolas Buitrago and Martin Simecek for next season.
 
The two will replace outgoing decorated Aggie Christofer Goncalves and Sergi Espias, who will be graduating this spring. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Buitrago is transferring in from Middle Tennessee while Simecek hails from Prerov, Czech Republic.
 
NICOLAS BUITRAGO
Junior | 6-1
Bogotá, Colombia | Middle Tennessee
 
2017-18 (MTSU): Finished the season 13-6 overall and 5-0 in dual action before transferring to New Mexico State…saw action at No. 4, No. 5 and No. 5 positions during dual action...went 11-8 overall in doubles with a 5-1 mark in dual play – all on court No. 3…Advanced to the Round of 64 at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional with a win over Carlos Tajes of Tennessee Tech, 6-2, 6-3…opened season with 6-2, 6-2 over Chattanooga's (1/15) Luke Plastaid…took down UTSA's (1/28) Igor Cantanhede 6-4, 6-1 in MTSU's defeat of the Roadrunners…clinched doubles point with teammate Max Rauch with 6-2 win against Rice (2/28).
 
2016-17 (MTSU): Played limited matches as a freshman for MTSU, going 2-5 in dual action and 1-0 in CUSA play…went 7-11 in doubles play with teammate Max Rauch between the No. 2 and No. 3 slots...picked up his first-career collegiate victory against Paul LaHue of Chattanooga (9/23)…recorded his first collegiate dual win against Jarib Beazer from Alabama A&M (1/28) 6-1, 6-1.
 
Prior to NM State: Attended Laurel Springs in Port St. Lucie, Fla….reached a national ranking of No. 18 in January of 2013 back in Colombia…played in several ITF Pro Tournaments in 2016 and reached the ITF Junior Copa Liga de Tenis de Boy finals.
 
Personal: Son of Julio Buitrago and Maria Machado…has a younger brother, Alejandro…majoring in finance.
 
MARTIN SIMECEK
Freshman | 6-3
Prerov, Czech Republic | Gymnázium Jakuba Škody
 
Prior to NM State: Played in several ITF Futures Tournaments in 2016 and 2017…advanced to the round of 16 at the Ex Pilsen Babolat Cup thanks to his 7-6 (5), 5-6, 6-4 win over Petr Stravroskiy…made it to the round of 16 at the ITF Veska Tournament behind a 6-0, 6-1 victory against Simon Stans…played in the quarterfinals at the TC Euroregion Nisa after taking down Floria Daffner 6-1, 6-0 and Lennart Samstag 6-2, 6-3 back in 2015…advanced to the quarterfinals in four separate tournaments in 2014.
 
Personal: Son of Karel Simecek and Tana Simeckova…has three older brothers, Karel, Petr and Jan…undecided on major.