James “Bo” Seal, one of the nation’s top ranked junior tennis players has signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of Georgia, head coach Manuel Diaz announced Thursday.

Seal, a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., has climbed as high as No. 43 in the world in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior rankings. In the United States Tennis Association (USTA) junior rankings, Seal’s best has been No. 10 in the 18s age division and No. 1 in the 12s and 16s.

Seal’s top tournament showings include wining the 2008 ITF doubles title in Yucatan, Mexico and the 2007 and 2008 USTA National Clay doubles titles in the Boys 18s. Also, he captured doubles titles at the 2005 USTA National Hard Courts in the 14s and the 2006 USTA Winter Nationals in the 16s. In singles, he was a semifinalist at the ITF Mayor’s Cup in Osaka, Japan and was a finalist at the 2007 National Hard Courts and the 2006 Easter Bowl event in the 16s. Seal was a member of the 2007 United States Davis Cup Team for the 16s.

Seal spent the first two years of his prep career at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he was a two-time state singles champion. As a junior and senior, he has trained at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Ned Caswell, the head professional at Manker Patten Tennis Club in Chattanooga, coaches Seal locally.

“Bo is a great addition to our program and a very good singles and doubles player,” said Diaz. “Anytime we have a chance to get a talented Southern prospect, we’re excited to have them become a Bulldog. He is going to make us a better team.”

The Bulldogs posted a 25-4 record this past season, advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight with a final national ranking of No. 6.

- Georgia Sports Communications