Benjamin Gellis

Position:
Epee/Right Hand
Height:
6-3
Weight:
150
Class:
Redshirt
Hometown:
Short Hills, N.J.
High School:
Millburn

Majoring in political science ... Member of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity ... Participates in the Carolina Leadership Academy as part of the Veteran Leaders program

Fencing at UNC: Is in his fourth season on the team ... Serves as captain of the men's epee squad ... ... Named honorable mention All-Region in 2008 after finishing 12th at NCAA Regionals ... Named Most Improved in men's epee after his freshman, sophomore and junior years ... Received the Coaches' Award in 2008 and Outstanding Rookie in 2006 ... Named to the Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Honor Roll

Before UNC: At Millburn High School, participated in fencing for three years, cross country for two and track and field for one ... As a senior, was individual State District 3 Champion in epee and helped his team to a State District 3 title ... Named second-team all-state

Personal: Born June 24, 1987 in Evanston, Ill. ... Son of Joan and Howard Gellis ... Has one older brother, Jordan (25)

More on Gellis: Nickname is Ben ... Favorite pastimes are listening to his extensive collection of classic rock albums, cheering on UNC in just about anything and following the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys ... Favorite book is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ... Favorite TV shows are The Office and South Park ... Favorite movie is The Dark Knight ... Favorite sport to play other than fencing is golf ... Favorite country he has visited is Italy ... Trained under the same coach, Yakov Danilenko, in high school as teammates Claire Brandow, Eric Hsieh and Melissa Litschi ... Biggest pet peeve is when people don't clean up after themselves ... Post-graduation plans are to work for a couple of years and then go to law school ... Dream job is to run a large company with his brother ... With a completely free day, would play a round of golf, go swimming and lay out in the sun for hours