Kauss is one of only six American competitors to compete in this prestigious overseas challenge and hopes to continue his dominance on the court

The International Univeristy Challenge of Tennis  is sponsored International University by the USTA and the ITA. Let’s clear up some of those acronyms: the USTA is the United States Tennis Association and the national governing body for tennis. It sponsors tennis activities from local community tennis to professional play. The USTA also runs the U.S. Open and many other professional tournaments throughout the U.S.
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association, or ITA, is a partner of USTA and promotes athletic and academic achievements through collegiate tennis.

Both organizations were  brought together to help put on one of the largest University events in the world. Three men and three women were chosen to represent the U.S. based on the following criteria:

“[1] The top male and female American finishers at the 2008 ITA All-American Championships, [2] the top male and female American finishers at the 2008 ITA Small College Championships and [3] the top male and female Americans ranked in the 2008 ITA Preseason Division I Rankings,” according to  usta.com.

In other words, out of all the colleges, in all the states that compete in tennis, on an intercollegiate level, only six highly talented athletes are chosen. One of Gustavus’ own John Kauss was one of them.

John Kauss is a senior management major from St. Paul, MN, and an alumnus of Harding High School. Not only is this Kauss’ first time competing in this prestigious international competition, it is also a first for the U.S.

An international competition would bring great enthusiasm to any athlete, and Kauss is no different.

“I am very excited to compete and represent the USA and Gustavus,” said Kauss. He left Gustavus Dec. 2 to fly to Poitiers, France, and will return next week to resume his normal schedule.

“I am going to miss almost a full week of classes,” said Kauss, “but my professors have been extremely understanding and considerate. My professors have helped me get ahead with studying and have expressed their excitement toward the competition.”

Kauss probably wouldn’t have gotten so far without the great coaching of Steve Wilkinson. Wilkinson coaches Gustavus Men’s tennis and leads them to the top of the conference almost every season. The Gusties ended this season with a 9-0 record, and with that record, the Gusties scored a  playoff berth and finished the  season with a record of 29-6. This is where the journey over international     waters began.

Kauss and the Gusties then moved on to play in the Wilson/ITA Men’s Division III Midwest Regional Championship tournament at Gustavus. Kauss advanced to the final singles round of the Midwest tournament with Junior teammate Mike Burdakin and played with him in the final doubles match as well. Kauss claimed the singles title and the doubles title with Burdakin, which advanced both of them to the ITA Small College Championship in October in Mobile, Alabama. The duo took second in the doubles, and Kauss took first in the singles without losing a single set the entire tournament. With this win, Kauss was presented with the opportunity to play in the International Challenge of Tennis.

“We know that John will bring honor to Gustavus, Division III and the United States by keeping his focus on the Three Crowns—full effort, positive attitude and good sportsmanship,” said Wilkinson

Athletic Director of Gustavus Al Molde acknowledged the greatness that came with this opportunity. “We are so proud of John for his outstanding accomplishment during the fall ITA tournament and wish him well as he takes his tennis game to the international level. John’s achievements in tennis add to the accomplishments of our elite level tennis program which, over the years, has been truly extraordinary,” said Molde.

Another note worth mentioning is one that cannot be ignored. Kauss is the only Division III player on the men’s team. Joining him are Nate Schnugg of the University of Georgia and Michael Venus of Louisiana State University. The men’s and women’s teams are filled with superstars of the tennis world who have won not only national collegiate  championships, but some have competed in professional tournaments as well. Although the teams are essentially split, they will be jointly coached by Michelle Dasso, head women’s tennis coach at the University of Illinois, and Paul Settles, head men’s coach of the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College.

The International University Challenge of Tennis will be held Dec. 4-7. The seven nations competing with the United States include Belgium, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Montenegro, Russia and Switzerland. The teams will compete in a best-of-seven format consisting of two men’s and two women’s singles matches, one men’s and one women’s doubles match and one mixed doubles match,” informs the USTA Web site.