University of Minnesota Athletics
MEET ALL-AMERICAN CHAD KRAFT
1/17/1999 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Kraft, a native of Lakefield, Minn., has had a storybook career at the University of Minnesota. As a redshirt freshman, Kraft found himself on the championship stand at the NCAA Championships after finishing fifth. As a sophomore, Kraft took it one step further and finished third at NCAAs. Last season, all the pieces were in place to win a national title. Kraft was billed to take the title at 150 pounds, it was said to be his match to lose.
His opponent was Eric Seibert of Illinois. Kraft headed into the match with all the confidence in the world having beaten Seibert five times before during the regular season. What transpired next was nothing short of a nightmare.
3Heading into that match, I felt really great, Kraft said. 3I felt like I had an opportunity to win it all. When the injury occurred I knew I was in trouble.
As Kraft was barely a minute into the NCAA Championship match, he tore two ligaments in his ankle. The injury was great, but Kraft fought with the pain and finished the match, losing 7-3.
While Kraft has never clinched a Big Ten title either, he has always been right near the top. His freshman year, he placed fifth at Big Tens, sophomore year he was runner-up and last season he placed third with a 3-1 record.
While not claiming a Big Ten or NCAA title yet, Kraft has earned three All-America honors and is on the verge of becoming Minnesota1s first ever four-time All-American.
3It1s in the back of my mind, but it1s not something I really focus on, Kraft said. 3Being an All-American is great, but to me it really doesn1t mean much if I don1t get that national title. Even if I was a four-time All-American, I would be disappointed with my career if I didn1t win a national title.
Kraft came to the University of Minnesota with excellent wrestling credentials and he also carried with him 80 consecutive wins out of Lake-Okabena Lakefield High School. He finished his prep career with a 192-18-1 record to go along with three consecutive state Class A individual titles.
A mainstay at Minnesota, Kraft has been a key member of the Golden Gopher wrestling program for five years. Day in and day out, Kraft puts his heart and soul into everything he does whether it be on the mat or after the competition with his teammates.
Determined to succeed, Kraft never backs away from a challenge which was evident to new wrestling fans last month, when he decisioned then No. 3 ranked Jimmy Arias of Oklahoma State 3-1 in a close match.
Kraft won the match with his agressive and dominating style that he possesses every time he steps out on the mat. The same reason why Kraft has been ranked the No. 1 wrestler at 157 ever since the preseason.
3There is a certain amount of pressure on me, Kraft said. 3But that comes along with being on top and I1m willing to accept that. Dealing with the pressure is the main thing and right now I1m just focusing on doing the things it takes to win that national title.
This season much like the previous seasons, Kraft hopes to lead his team to Minnesota1s first Big Ten Championship since 1959 and the team1s first-ever National title.
3We1ve been looking at Nationals so much that we haven1t focused enough on Big Tens, Kraft said. 3I guarantee that once that tournament comes around, it is going to be a big deal to us.
When Kraft1s competing days at the University of Minnesota come to an end in April, he definitely won1t be saying goodbye.
3I don1t see myself leaving the University for a long, long time, Kraft said. 3I know there are a lot of little things that I need to do to work my way up, but I1m definitely looking to coach and train here until the 2004 Olympic Games.
3I1ve put my whole life into this program. This is where I want to stay, this is where I1m from. I live to be a gopher.
One of the reasons Kraft wants to stay at Minnesota, is because he along with roommate Tim Hartung played a large role in the continued success and rise of Minnesota wrestling.
3When I came here as a freshman, this program was at a different level and a different situation, Kraft said. 3The attittude and expectations of this program have changed dramatically and I1ve gotten to experience that.
As for now the goal is simple for Kraft.
3I1ve been focusing on claiming that national title, it is something I1ve been close to the past two years. Now I1m in my final year and I have the opportunity to cap off my career with a national championship.
