|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
SJSU Wrestling Archives The Spartan Daily 2-11-87 |
||
|
|
||
|
Team Captain Leads Spartan Wrestlers |
||
|
by John Bagley |
||
| Despite a team record of 5-7, SJSU's wrestling team has something to smile about. Senior team captain Arnold Khanbabian has compiled a record of 19-0-1 this season and a 48-10-2 record over the past two seasons. Khanbabian, 21, has been wrestling for the past 10 years, practicing about 20 hours per week. He came to SJSU in 1983 when he was recruited by former SJSU wrestling coach T.J. Kerr. Khanbabian said he came to SJSU for its prestigious wrestling background. He feels his recent success can be attributed to being named team captain. "This year i was made captain, which put me in a position to set an example for the rest of the team," Khanbabian said. Although Khanbabian wrestles in the 118-pound class, his natural body weight is 132 pounds. He said the shedding of 14 pounds before a match is quite often a difficult task. "A week before a match i cut down on my food intake," Khanbabian said. "The key for me is to get down to 123 pounds the day of the match. The remaining five pounds is just water weight which is no problem to lose." Being only 5-foot-4 and weighing 118 pounds has not affected his performance. "I'm not a pinner," Khanbabian explained. If he doesn't pin, how does he win? "My best move is a high crotch to a double (a basic two-point takedown move)," Khanbabian said. Khanbabian said another key to his success is preparation. "I always try to get here before anyone else and mentally prepare for my upcoming match," Khanbabian said. "The only thing on my mind the day of a match is the match." Khanbabian is a three-year letter winner who has been a regular for the past two seasons. His best season so far was a year ago when he finished with a mark of 18-10. He also lettered in wrestling at Santa Theresa High School in San Jose. He was fourth at the 1983 state prep meet, wrestling at 114 pounds. Khanbabian, an accounting major, said he has enjoyed his time at SJSU. As a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, he has found new friends and team support. "All the guys stick together," Khanbabian said. "They not only help me by watching my matches, but they help the entire team as well by attending and cheering at every meet." After graduation Khanbabian hopes to stay in San Jose area and start a career as a certified public accountant. Although Khanbabian will not be with SJSU next season he feels that the team should perform respectably. "I think that they will do well," Khanbabian said. Although the SJSU wrestling squad has not performed well lately, Khanbabian felt the main reason was poor recruiting. "These wrestlers wrestle well and try hard, but if anyone gets injured, problems arise due to lack of team depth," Khanbabian said. "The problem is recruiting. We haven't had a good recruiting year since i've been here." Khanbabian said the wrestlers to look out for next season are Greg Eissner and Shane Baum. Eissner, a 126-pound sophomore, had an 8-16 overall record last year as a freshman. Eissner lettered four years in wrestling at Concord High School. Khanbabian likes Eissner's desire to wrestle well. "Greg is young, strong, and a very physical wrestler," Khanbabian said. "I look for him to do real well next season" Baum, a 158-pound sophomore, lettered in wrestling four years as a prep. He was a three-time sectional champion and placed twice at the Iowa state prep meet. Khanbabian said he feels Baum could really benefit the team next year. "Shane is a strong wrestler," Khanbabian said. "The experience he received this year is priceless next year. I guarantee he will be a big asset to this team." |
||
