Spring Break
From hard work to championship hopes
Sean McLean
Issue date: 2/21/07 Section: Sports
"I met some of the guys here, and I thought they were cool, so it was definitely something I wanted to be a part of," Kipperberg said. "And the engineering program as well, so it was a good fit for me."
In his first season, he failed to crack the varsity lineup for the entire season but still managed to wrestle 11 matches, posting a 7-4 record, including a 8-0 major decision over Cyle Hartzell of Oregon in his dual meet debut as a Beaver.
Looking to earn the starting nod at 149 pounds, he stayed in Corvallis and worked extremely hard in the offseason so he could make his swan song as an OSU wrestler a memorable one.
"Basically, I lifted about six days a week and then wrestled whenever I got the chance," Kipperberg said. "I took the summer off from work, the first time ever I've done that, and stayed here to work for this season."
The new coaching staff that was implemented in April saw the strong work ethic that he demonstrated before the season began.
"Once he got to know the new coaching staff, he worked really hard over the summer," head coach Jim Zalesky said. "He lifted a lot, was doing the right things, just really put the extra time in to get better."
Zalesky, along with assistant coaches Troy Steiner and Kevin Roberts, has also played a pivotal role on his performance this season, according to Kipperberg.
"Working with coaches this year, they have made a huge impact on just bringing out the abilities," Kipperberg said.
From the start, Kipperberg has put together a strong 2007 campaign for the Beavers. He earned a victory over Steven Dailey in the season opening dual meet against Portland State and had a very strong 6-2 record in conference matches. With that in mind, he thinks his chances this weekend are good.
"If I just wrestle smart and don't give up anything, I will be right in there," Kipperberg said.
A construction engineering major, Kipperberg will get one more shot at helping the Beavers earn their first Pac-10 title since 1994. Whether it's on the mat or encouraging his teammates and fans, he will be a key figure this weekend.
"That's what we're gunning for and that is what we're going to get. We're going all out," Kipperberg said.
In his first season, he failed to crack the varsity lineup for the entire season but still managed to wrestle 11 matches, posting a 7-4 record, including a 8-0 major decision over Cyle Hartzell of Oregon in his dual meet debut as a Beaver.
Looking to earn the starting nod at 149 pounds, he stayed in Corvallis and worked extremely hard in the offseason so he could make his swan song as an OSU wrestler a memorable one.
"Basically, I lifted about six days a week and then wrestled whenever I got the chance," Kipperberg said. "I took the summer off from work, the first time ever I've done that, and stayed here to work for this season."
The new coaching staff that was implemented in April saw the strong work ethic that he demonstrated before the season began.
"Once he got to know the new coaching staff, he worked really hard over the summer," head coach Jim Zalesky said. "He lifted a lot, was doing the right things, just really put the extra time in to get better."
Zalesky, along with assistant coaches Troy Steiner and Kevin Roberts, has also played a pivotal role on his performance this season, according to Kipperberg.
"Working with coaches this year, they have made a huge impact on just bringing out the abilities," Kipperberg said.
From the start, Kipperberg has put together a strong 2007 campaign for the Beavers. He earned a victory over Steven Dailey in the season opening dual meet against Portland State and had a very strong 6-2 record in conference matches. With that in mind, he thinks his chances this weekend are good.
"If I just wrestle smart and don't give up anything, I will be right in there," Kipperberg said.
A construction engineering major, Kipperberg will get one more shot at helping the Beavers earn their first Pac-10 title since 1994. Whether it's on the mat or encouraging his teammates and fans, he will be a key figure this weekend.
"That's what we're gunning for and that is what we're going to get. We're going all out," Kipperberg said.
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