Argentinian Lineage Brings Net Victories

For Georgia Gwinnett College men’s tennis player Valentino Caratini, deciding to use his fifth year of athletic eligibility for the 2022 season was not an easy one to make. The Argentinian joined the Grizz family in Spring of 2018 with a plan to graduate in the fall of 2021. 

But he wasn’t going to leave without another chance at winning another national title with his teammates this spring. 

Caratini currently holds the men’s tennis program record with 191 wins. A large majority of those wins (123) has come from his elite performance as a doubles player. He is three shy of the program’s all-time singles record, currently held by former teammate Mika Kosonen (77 wins). 

“I worked very hard growing up and have always wanted to achieve great things,” says Caratini, who came to GGC from Buenos Aires, Argentina. “That makes achieving the all-time wins record incredible and something I will always be proud and will never forget.” 

In the past four years, Caratini has been an essential part of the team that has captured national championships in 2021, 2019 and 2018. The three-time NAIA All-American has been a part of 102 of GGC men’s tennis’ remarkable 157 straight dual match victories, the longest streak in collegiate sports history. 

Caratini has posted a 59-2 singles record and a 78-7 doubles record during GGC’s spring dual match seasons.

The GGC men’s tennis program’s successful tradition has been led by Argentinian lineage. Fellow countrymen include former Grizzlies Federico Herrera Duran (2017-20) and Kevin Konfederak (2015-18), who held program career records from their times in Lawrenceville. They played an important role in Caratini’s development as both a student and athlete. 

“They helped me a lot to feel happy and comfortable, especially in the first semester,” says Caratini. “They helped me in studies and practice in many ways. They were an important part of my journey and I want to do the same for the other Argentinians who are on the team (including sophomore Alex Gurmendi), along with my other teammates. I feel the need to lead not only the younger guys but the whole team and help them continue the legacy that we’ve built together.”

Amid his final season on the GGC court, Caratini is starting to reflect more upon his collegiate career. This year’s team has won its first 10 dual matches this spring, beating No. 4 Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky) and No. 10 Xavier University (Louisiana) in last weekend’s Grizzly Invitational at the GGC Tennis Facility.