Wolcott's Chris Bendtsen

This article is from the Waterbury Republican

WOLCOTT -- His athletic resume features some startling feats: three-time All-State and Naugatuck Valley League selection, two-time All-New England pick and a national qualifier.

And that's just as a cross country runner

But what many may not know about Wolcott High senior Christopher Bendtsen is that his pursuits in cross country circles and on the track are just a sampling of what makes him well-rounded.

Currently ranked first out of class of 212 students with a 105.7 grade-point average, Bendtsen is also the vice president of the National Honor Society as well as secretary of the Science National Honor Society and a member of the French National Honor Society.

He's also a volunteer tutor. Clearly his academic standing has been as important to Bendtsen as his personal-best times and victories.

“My parents always told me that school comes first,” said Bendtsen, selected as the Republican-American's Top Male Scholar-Athlete for the 2009 fall season.

Proving that, Bendtsen visited five Ivy League schools before settling on Princeton University, where he will major in economics.

“Princeton will give me unlimited possibilities for my future,” said Bendtsen, 17. “It was a tough decision, but I feel I made the right one.”

Making an immediate impact on the Tigers' cross country team would be ideal, but Bendtsen is taking a realistic approach.

“I am 100 percent ready to go to Princeton and I know there will be a lot of smart people and talented runners and I will not stick out right away,” he said.

Still, Bendtsen is treating the opportunity no different from when he entered high school.

“I like the challenge of trying to overcome it,” said Bendtsen. “I won't be the big name or come in as the best guy and will be in the back of the pack. I know I'll have to work to get myself where I want to be.”

Just like in high school.