University of Minnesota Athletics
Freshman Friday: Tijani Karaborni
7/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Coming out of high school, Tijani Karaborni had opportunities to play college football and concedes his senior year on the gridiron was better than his final high school season on the mat, but he chose to wrestle in college because it's the sport to which he felt "most connected." He walked on at Minnesota to both be a part of an incredible wrestling tradition and because of one of the nation's best chemical engineering programs. Academics play a big part in Karaborni's life. He earned the College Football Hall of Fame NorCal Scholar Athlete Award in high school and added the Gopher Wrestling Underclassman Academic Award last season after posting a 4.0 GPA. GopherSports.com caught up with Karaborni earlier this summer to talk about his rookie campaign, both on the mat and in the classroom.
What would you say is the hardest part about transitioning from high school wrestling to collegiate wrestling?
It's the intensity of everyone in the room. In high school, every person in the room isn't totally into wrestling but in college everyone is completely focused. The intensity is at a higher level and you have to be 100 percent ready. It's a lot tougher and you need to be more willing to go above and beyond and do the extra things. There's never an easy day.
Bigger picture, what was the transition to becoming a college student-athlete?
I really appreciate having wrestling in my schedule because I'm a very structured person. I don't think I would have the academic success that I had this year without wrestling giving me structure. I get in a routine and move from one thing to another. I have set times in my schedule to do school, I have relax time and I have practice time. I think wrestling helped me transition to college more than if I was just thrown in without it and I'm thankful for that.
Do you and your brother (fellow Gopher wrestler Faris Karaborni) have a competition going on in the classroom? You narrowly edged him for the Underclassman Academic Award…
We just both come from the mindset ââ'¬" with where we're from and the way we grew up ââ'¬" that it's very important to do well academically and we want to continue putting a lot of importance on academics. We have a great opportunity to do well at this great engineering school and we don't really want to waste that opportunity. If we can get good grades with some hard work, we try and push for it.
How do you feel this first season went on the mat?
I feel like I got better throughout the season, even if it doesn't show in the results. I was really timid at the beginning of the season. I feel like just getting through the season, it was nice to know that I was wrestling better and managing my actions better. Even though I didn't win a lot at the end, I felt like I improved.
Half of your wins came by fall ââ'¬" did you pin a lot of guys in high school or did it just play out like that this season?
In high school we were taught to look for falls whenever we could. I feel like there were just some opportunities where I could get the fall and went for it. I'm not a giant point-scorer but I felt like in the matches that I did get pins, I was up heavily already. You always look for it and when it comes you take the opportunity.
What is the biggest lesson you've learned after being a Division I wrestler for a year?
You have to go down [to the practice room] everyday with the mindset of doing your best. Every day you have to have goals to get better and work at something. You can't just go through a routine. You have to try to improve and be ready for a challenge every single day.
What are your plans for the summer?
I am working all four of the J Rob camps this summer. It should be a good experience. I've never been a camp counselor before, so I think it will be a great learning opportunity.
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