This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is sophomore tennis player Brandon Gwinn. Last week, Gwinn teamed with Colin O’Hagerty to win their opening two matches in the Big 8 Conference Men’s Tennis Championships in Lindsey Linker Tennis Stadium at East Chapel Hill High School. Gwinn and O’Hagerty defeated a team from Chapel Hill 6-0, 6-0 in the quarterfinals to earn a spot in the 3A Mideast Regional Tournament, which will be held on Friday afternoon at Burlington Tennis Center. Gwinn and O’Hagerty won their opening match 6-0, 6-0. In the semifinals, Northwood defeated Gwinn & O’Hagerty 3-6, 6-2, 10-4 to advance to the finals. This season, Gwinn was a vital player on an Orange team that finished with a winning record for the fourth straight season under head coach Justin Webb. Against Northwood on April 19, Gwinn defeated Matteus Butler 6-0, 6-1 at #3 singles. Later in the day with the match on the line, Gwinn teamed with O’Hagerty to win at #1 doubles 8-3 to earn the victory for the Panthers. Last week, Gwinn won his #2 singles match against Southern Durham, then teamed with O’Hagerty again for a win in #1 doubles. Brandon also likes to show off his personality with a pumpkin design on his racket, which was specially made for him. Good luck to Gwinn & O’Hagerty in Friday’s Mideast Regional, as well as Orange singles player Justin Conover, who also qualified.