Simply the Best
4/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
Big Sky Profile:
Montana State’s Federico Ueltschi
Sport: Tennis
School: Montana State
Year: Senior
Major: Business/Finance
Hometown: Mendoza, Argentina
Montana State’s Federico Ueltschi has claimed the Big Sky Conference Men’s MVP Award for three consecutive seasons. Ueltschi, who is Montana’s all-time leader in singles victories with a record of 115-34, will try to lead the Bobcats to a third consecutive Big Sky Conference Title this weekend in Pocatello, Idaho. He is the only MSU player in history to be ranked in the ITA singles poll. Ueltschi came to Bozeman from Mendoza, Argentina. Ueltschi spent a few minutes on the phone with Jon Kasper of the Big Sky Conference. Let’s get to know Federico Ueltschi.
Q: Montana State has won two straight Big Sky Conference Titles, but you guys were recently upset by Montana. How do you think that loss will prepare you for this weekend’s Big Sky Championship?
A: I think it was a good loss. We have to respect those guys. We beat them all the times we played before. They got better. It’s a great way to respect them. They are a tough team, a good team. That’s going to get us ready for conference.
Q: You’ve been named the Big Sky Conference MVP three consecutive years. What does that award mean to you?
A: It’s nice for me, my family, my country and my school. That’s a great accomplishment. The last two years have been great to me. It’s a good thing for the program.
Q: How did you end up at Montana State?
A: Because of coach (Mike Phillips). He’s a very good guy. I knew I could succeed here. He helped me out. I’ve had a great career, and a great time. I’ve become a better person. He’s a great guy.
Q: We did a little searching on the Internet and looked at some pictures of Mendoza. To be honest, it looked a little bit like Montana with big mountains, white water rafting, fishing, skiing. Does Bozeman remind you a little bit of home, and what are some things that really aren’t the same?
A: The landscape is similar. It’s not as cold down there. I’m freezing here. It’s kind of the same thing. You’ve got mountains, it’s beautiful. I think Bozeman is greener. Argentina is more like the desert. The weather is definitely different. I’m freezing here. The community involvement here is greater. The people here are more social, more outgoing, more easy-going. I love both places. I’m happy.
Q: We read Mendoza is famous for its wine vineyards. Does your family have any ties to the industry, and what makes the wine so good?
A: Yeah, my grandparents and great grandparents own one of the biggest wineries in Mendoza. My mom is actually here right now cooking for me, and she brought a couple bottles of wine. They take care of the grapes. It’s like a baby. They care more for the grapes than they do their own kids. It’s something that’s amazing. The weather if perfect. It’s high and dry, and it never rains. That’s a key factor in getting grapes to grow.
Q: Of all the matches at Montana State, is there one that you will always remember for a particular reason?
A: There really isn’t one in particular, but I was at a tournament with coach. We were in an All-American event at the beginning of the season. I was on an eight-match winning streak, beating guys from the top 100, top 50. I started to cramp up in the main draw. I was going into the third set and my body cramped up. That was enough for this Montana boy.
Q: Is it true the Bobcats like to listen to a variety of different music prior to practices and matches?
A: Marek Gebicki is a DJ from Poland. He’s got all kinds of techno. Those Europeans are crazy. I have my Argentina Rock and Roll, and then we have American Rap. We have Van Halen with Coach Phillips. It’s a big mix. I’ll listen to any of it. At the beginning the techno was too much. It was to underground, to tough.
Fun Facts:
Favorite Movie: Gladiator.
Favorite Class: Business Communications.
Favorite Book: Lord of the Rings
Favorite Bozeman Restaurant: Pickle Barrel. The cheese steak is awesome.
Favorite thing about Bozeman: The People.
Favorite Pro Tennis Player: Gustavo Kuerten.
Where do you see yourself in five years? On the couch eating Cheetos. No, working in Mendoza and being close to my family and friends.
Montana State’s Federico Ueltschi
Sport: Tennis
School: Montana State
Year: Senior
Major: Business/Finance
Hometown: Mendoza, Argentina
Montana State’s Federico Ueltschi has claimed the Big Sky Conference Men’s MVP Award for three consecutive seasons. Ueltschi, who is Montana’s all-time leader in singles victories with a record of 115-34, will try to lead the Bobcats to a third consecutive Big Sky Conference Title this weekend in Pocatello, Idaho. He is the only MSU player in history to be ranked in the ITA singles poll. Ueltschi came to Bozeman from Mendoza, Argentina. Ueltschi spent a few minutes on the phone with Jon Kasper of the Big Sky Conference. Let’s get to know Federico Ueltschi.
Q: Montana State has won two straight Big Sky Conference Titles, but you guys were recently upset by Montana. How do you think that loss will prepare you for this weekend’s Big Sky Championship?
A: I think it was a good loss. We have to respect those guys. We beat them all the times we played before. They got better. It’s a great way to respect them. They are a tough team, a good team. That’s going to get us ready for conference.
Q: You’ve been named the Big Sky Conference MVP three consecutive years. What does that award mean to you?
A: It’s nice for me, my family, my country and my school. That’s a great accomplishment. The last two years have been great to me. It’s a good thing for the program.
Q: How did you end up at Montana State?
A: Because of coach (Mike Phillips). He’s a very good guy. I knew I could succeed here. He helped me out. I’ve had a great career, and a great time. I’ve become a better person. He’s a great guy.
Q: We did a little searching on the Internet and looked at some pictures of Mendoza. To be honest, it looked a little bit like Montana with big mountains, white water rafting, fishing, skiing. Does Bozeman remind you a little bit of home, and what are some things that really aren’t the same?
A: The landscape is similar. It’s not as cold down there. I’m freezing here. It’s kind of the same thing. You’ve got mountains, it’s beautiful. I think Bozeman is greener. Argentina is more like the desert. The weather is definitely different. I’m freezing here. The community involvement here is greater. The people here are more social, more outgoing, more easy-going. I love both places. I’m happy.
Q: We read Mendoza is famous for its wine vineyards. Does your family have any ties to the industry, and what makes the wine so good?
A: Yeah, my grandparents and great grandparents own one of the biggest wineries in Mendoza. My mom is actually here right now cooking for me, and she brought a couple bottles of wine. They take care of the grapes. It’s like a baby. They care more for the grapes than they do their own kids. It’s something that’s amazing. The weather if perfect. It’s high and dry, and it never rains. That’s a key factor in getting grapes to grow.
Q: Of all the matches at Montana State, is there one that you will always remember for a particular reason?
A: There really isn’t one in particular, but I was at a tournament with coach. We were in an All-American event at the beginning of the season. I was on an eight-match winning streak, beating guys from the top 100, top 50. I started to cramp up in the main draw. I was going into the third set and my body cramped up. That was enough for this Montana boy.
Q: Is it true the Bobcats like to listen to a variety of different music prior to practices and matches?
A: Marek Gebicki is a DJ from Poland. He’s got all kinds of techno. Those Europeans are crazy. I have my Argentina Rock and Roll, and then we have American Rap. We have Van Halen with Coach Phillips. It’s a big mix. I’ll listen to any of it. At the beginning the techno was too much. It was to underground, to tough.
Fun Facts:
Favorite Movie: Gladiator.
Favorite Class: Business Communications.
Favorite Book: Lord of the Rings
Favorite Bozeman Restaurant: Pickle Barrel. The cheese steak is awesome.
Favorite thing about Bozeman: The People.
Favorite Pro Tennis Player: Gustavo Kuerten.
Where do you see yourself in five years? On the couch eating Cheetos. No, working in Mendoza and being close to my family and friends.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
