In his fourth season wrestling at Nebraska, NU's Chris Oliver has goals set for his redshirt junior season while wrestling at 157 pounds.
Last season, Oliver won 11 of his first 12 matches and finished the season with a 20-9 record. He went on to finish in second place at the 2007 Big 12 Conference Championships, which allowed him to advance to the NCAA Championships for the first time. He posted a 1-2 record in the tournament.
Winning his first match helped him get a taste of what the most sought after wrestling event is like.
Oliver has shown great improvement this year and is currently 11-1 on the season. He said his work during the summer, believing in his coaches and himself and taking it one match at a time has helped him progress.
"Ultimately I am in it to win," Oliver said, "and to become a national champion."
In high school, Oliver was one of Nebraska's few undefeated wrestlers winning all 130 of his matches at Omaha Creighton Prep. He took home four state championships in the 103-, 119-, 140- and 152-pound weight classes.
Oliver said one important factor to being a good wrestler is to have strong mental preparation. He has been focusing on it in practice, especially since last summer.
Nebraska sophomore Rob Plambeck is in Oliver's shadow at 157 pounds. He said he is able to practice with Oliver and learn from his success.
Plambeck said Oliver has the potential to accomplish big things this season.
"He is probably the most athletic guy I have ever wrestled," Plambeck said. "Even when you get deep shots on him, you can't finish because he is super strong."
But Plambeck has subbed in for Oliver this season. Last weekend, Plambeck wrestled in the 157-pound weight class at the South Dakota State dual, winning an 8-3 decision over Martin Konechne. He said the opportunity to wrestle with Oliver has taught him a lot and helped the sophomore in his success against the Jackrabbits.
"Just being able to practice with him every day is a huge thing," Plambeck said. "Most guys in my weight class don't have guys like Oliver to practice with."
Plambeck said Oliver tries to do things a good teammate should do, like being a good example and assuming responsibility for the team.
NU Coach Mark Manning said Oliver is a positive young man and talented individual who wants to do anything to help the Cornhuskers win. Throughout the four years Oliver has been in Lincoln, Manning has seen him learn to trust and believe in his training. He said he has become more a technical wrestler and a student of the game.
If Oliver can keep his confidence high, Manning said he can max out his ability this season.
"He has a God-gifted ability," Manning said. "He is a really hard worker that wants to be the best guy. That is what he is going to impact this team with."
Manning added that another good quality about Oliver is that he has the potential to win any match he wrestles in. He is a pinner, and that makes him exciting to watch and coach.
"He is dangerous," Manning said. "He is a threat to pin guys and can do it at any time. That is a great asset to have"
danaahrens@dailynebraskan.com
