Federico Ueltschi (2017) - Hall of Fame - Montana State University Athletics

Federico Ueltschi

Induction:
2017

   For the Montana State Hall of Fame committee it was a no-brainer.
   A quick glance at Federico Ueltschi’s playing resume` was evidence of the best men’s tennis player to ever grace the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center courts.
    Ueltschi was a three-time Big Sky Conference Player of the Year; a four-time First-Team All-Big Sky Conference performer; a member of the three Big Sky Conference Championship Teams; a 2006 NCAA qualifier in singles; was ranked as high as No. 58 in the ITA; a nine-time Big Sky Conference Player of the Week; and the Montana State school-record holder for most career victories (185); victories in a season (35) and career doubles victories (71).
   “Federico started making an impact the day he arrived on campus his freshman year,” said then-MSU head coach Mike Phillips. “And he never stopped improving and breaking records his entire career.”
   Ueltschi set the tone for Montana State’s mid-2000’s tennis dynasty. As a freshman, the product of Mendoza, Argentina, garnered all-league accolades after posting a 25-10 overall record.
   The next fall, Ueltschi would put the Bobcat men’s tennis program on the national map.
   “After a stellar freshman year, Federico raised the level again in an epic run at the ITA All American Tournament,” Phillips stated. “Competing against the best players and teams in the country, he won seven matches in a row, only to lose to the future No. 1 player in the country.
   “He was up a break in the third when his whole body cramped, giving out after the tough week it took to get there,” Phillips continued. “That week put Montana State on the national scene and boosted the confidence of every coach and player on the team.”
   MSU would go undefeated in 2004 in Big Sky play as Ueltschi racked-up a 28-7 singles record and a 14-5 doubles mark teamed with Tej Chigateri.
   In 2005, Ueltschi registered the best individual record in MSU tennis history notching a 35-8 mark, en route to his second straight Big Sky MVP accolade. He was league MVP as a senior, as well, producing a 26-10 mark and becoming the only Bobcat in history to individually qualify for the NCAA Championships in singles.
   “Fede continued to work hard and improve every year,” Phillips said. “He was a great competitor and had outstanding sportsmanship.”
   The legacy Ueltschi left at Montana State has still been unmatched.
   “Federico represents the epitome of what any team or university would ask for in a Hall of Famer,” Phillips said. “He was an outstanding student in the College of Business. Fans and umpires alike loved him; his coaches and teammates loved him; and he left his heart on the court every single match.”