College Bound Athlete: Christian Kaverud

GHS senior Christian Kaverud will continue playing tennis at the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford 

Christian Kaverud has been the top singles player for the boys tennis team at Glastonbury High School for the past three springs.

Now in the final month of his senior season, Kaverud will soon be passing that mantle to another player as he sets off to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of St. Joseph (USJ) in West Hartford.

Kaverud called his next stop a “great opportunity” and added that he’s excited to stay local so his family can continue to watch him compete.  

For Kaverud, family and tennis have become synonymous. 

He grew up on the tennis courts, learning the ropes from his father Jayson Kaverud and his older sister Ava Kaverud, a 2018 GHS graduate that was part of the school’s last girls tennis state championship team.

“Ever since I could walk, I was around the tennis courts,” recalled Kaverud. “I would just try and play as much as I could and I slowly got into it more and more, and now I love it.”

Kaverud added, “[Tennis] has taught me so many life skills. You have to make thousands, if not millions of split second decisions in a match and you’re out there by yourself so you have to find ways to avoid obstacles and persevere.”

After losing his freshman season to the Covid-19 cancellation in 2020, Kaverud was thrust into the spotlight as a sophomore and more than held his own against the best players in the state as the team won 14 of 15 matches in 2021. 

As a junior, the Guardians again finished 14-1 in the regular season and advanced to the state semifinals. 
Kaverud and his team have continued to excel on the courts this spring, winning their first 11 matches. 

GHS assistant coach Rob Bernard stated that Kaverud has shined in the team’s lead role because of his commitment to improve and his dedication to the team.

“Christian cares deeply about tennis, and the game has been a huge part of his life for a long time.” stated Bernard. “Obviously when a player is that committed to a sport he loves, that will go a long way in his continuing success at the next level. We are looking forward to following his tennis journey as the years move forward. We will miss Christian next season.” 

Going to USJ wasn’t the original plan for Kaverud, who originally chose Southern New Hampshire University.

But several factors, including the opportunity to stay closer to home and make an impact on the team right away swayed that decision.

“I like being around my family as much as I can and my dad has been a huge part of coaching me, so I wanted him to see my matches too,” stated Kaverud.

Kaverud added that there was an instant vibe with the coach at USJ. He will be joining a relatively new and fast-rising Blue Jays program led by head coach and Connective native Craig Davidson.

Beyond playing tennis, Kaverud also has a passion for teaching the game.

He coaches and helps develop the skills for several local players and wants to eventually get into coaching. 

But for now, the seasoned senior has some unfinished business with his Guardians teammates.

In a recent sweep of Conard on May 10, the team won all seven matches as Kaverud defeated Carter Clayton (6-4, 6-3), joining Andrew Risinger, Niteesh Kalangi, and JD Landry as singles winners. The teams of Elliot Kim / Alex Scudder, Nick Bonaiuto / Kyle Wallace, and Michael Gustufson  / Eric Hine also won double matches.   

This Friday (May 19), the team will celebrate Senior Night where Kaverud, Kalangi, Kim, Hine, and Arthur Cao will recognized prior to a match with Simsbury at GHS, starting at 3:45 p.m.

Kaverud said he’s enjoyed serving as the team’s No. 1 singles players the last three years and looks forward to what challenges await at his next destination.  

“It will be cool to meet new people and have a little more independence,” said Kaverud, who will study business. “It will be nice to see how I do in the real world and in the next chapter of my life.”

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