Sports
Local Tennis Star Gundeck Signs With Rollins
Charlie Gundeck will be following his family's foosteps to one of the south's top schools.
Long before the college application process took place for most high school students, Ridgewood resident Charlie Gundeck already knew where he would be attending.
The senior at Ridgewood High School–ranked among the top 20 junior tennis players in New Jersey–has signed a letter of intent to join the Men’s tennis team at Rollins University in the fall.
“My aunt and uncle went to Rollins and my sister, Katherine, is graduating from there this year, so I knew it was the place for me,” said Gundeck in an interview with Patch. “I didn’t even apply anywhere else. It’s a beautiful campus and the student population is relatively small, which is also nice.”
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From almost the time he could walk, Gundeck has been out on a tennis court. He was hitting balls before he even turned three, and was traveling around the state to compete in some of the biggest junior tournaments in the region by the age of 11.
These days, Gundeck spends several days a week practicing with his long-time coach, Rick Bograd, at Waldwick Covered Courts. In the summer months, Gundeck plays at Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club.
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“We’ve been working on a lot on fitness and stamina because playing in the heat in Florida is so different from the conditions around here,” said Gundeck. “I have a treadmill at home and I also lift weights three times per week.”
Gundeck has also been a strong asset to the Ridgewood High School tennis team, which has proven itself one of the strongest teams in the county. In addition to going undefeated in league play for the last three years, it also came in second place in the county championships last year.
The team lineup is so strong that Gundeck will likely play No. 2 singles again this year, despite having beaten several of the No. 1 players on various teams throughout the county in USTA tournaments.
“I honestly think that the team we have this year is the best we’ve had in my four years,” said Gundeck.” “We still have all of our top three players from last year, and our No. 1 player was ranked among the top 5 in the east coast for his age group at one point.”
Gundeck said he is considering pursuing an International Relations major at Rollins, but is certain he will get a degree in something business related.
