Michael Klinginsmith, a Nebraska wrestling recruit, is more excited about this wrestling season then ones in years past. All he’s done in the last two years is win back-to-back state titles at 145- and 152-pounds and go 83-0.
But his excitement has less to do with personal achievements.
“It’s a lot more exciting this year because we are doing a lot better as a team,” Klinginsmith said. “We are in the team race a lot more than in the past couple years.”
As for Klinginsmith, the senior from Kearney Catholic is now wrestling at the 160-pound weight class. He’s broken the Nebraska Class C wins record and is currently ranked first in his weight class, but he is more concerned about how the team wrestles.
For Kearney Catholic Coach Matt Rogers, it’s a blessing to have someone like Klinginsmith.
“He’s like having another coach on the coaching staff,” Rogers said. “He’s always giving kids tips on different things that they could be doing.”
Rogers said he has had to be creative when it comes to coaching Klinginsmith.
“He is really self-motivated,” Rogers said. “He’s always trying to improve himself.”
Klinginsmith thrives on success both on the mat and in the classroom. Rogers had him in a science class, which proved to be more difficult for the teacher than the student.
“I had to try and make things more difficult on the tests just so he’d miss questions,” Rogers said.
Klinginsmith’s 4.0 GPA and his 35 on the ACT made him an appealing prospect to Stanford University. But he never seriously entertained the thought. The University of Nebraska-Kearney also made a strong push, but the choice was pretty easy for Klinginsmith. It all came down to location.
“Stanford and UNK both have the academics that I wanted,” Klinginsmith said. “I didn’t want to stay in Kearney. I wanted to get out, meet new people and stuff.
“Stanford, you know, it’s too far away.”
After an invite to the Nebraska team wrestling camp this past summer, Klinginsmith accepted an offer from NU Coach Mark Manning to become a Cornhusker.
Manning said Klinginsmith is just the kind of kid he wants on his team.
“I think he is really going to take off in our program,” Manning said. “He may not be the highest ranked guy right now in his weight class nationally, but it’s more about the attitude and the character of the young man. Michael has a great attitude and character. He’s strong mentally, and he’s tough physically.”
Manning said he looks for athletes that excel in all areas, not just on the mat. This past year, Stephen Dwyer and Craig Brester were Academic All-Big 12 Conference selections and six other wrestlers made the Big 12 Honor Roll.
“We want guys that are very serious about their academics and graduation,” Manning said.
Manning wants wrestlers that are driven to succeed and will work hard to get there. Manning’s formula has worked so far. The Huskers are No. 4 in the country and undefeated in Big 12 action.
“It’s more about the young man’s attitude,” Manning said. “I think that they look beyond being great in high school and they want to be great in college and that they aspire to be an Olympic champion.
“They have big goals and the work ethic to back it up.”
Manning sees that in Klinginsmith. He said the sky is the limit for him and compared him to current NU wrestlers and native Nebraskans Brester and Brandon Browne.
“He’s going to end up being a three-time state champion,” Manning said. “We just see something in him that is special.”
michaelschaefer@dailynebraskan.com
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