Oplinger joins 100-win club
Anthony Antinore
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Sports
Upon his arrival at Drexel, the expectations for Jon Oplinger were through the roof, and he has not disappointed. Since his first victory as a Drexel wrestler, Oplinger has tallied up wins on a regular basis, but maybe none as monumental as his last match against a Colonial Athletic Association opponent.
Oplinger recorded his 100th victory over Anthony Tortora of Hofstra in a 16-8 major decision Jan. 31.
The win puts the 197-pounder, who is currently ranked 10th in the country in his weight class, into a select group as just nine Drexel wrestlers have reached the century mark.
"I feel honored to win my 100th match and become one of nine wrestlers to do so," Oplinger said.
Oplinger, the two-time Pennsylvania High School State Champion, separates himself from the competition by putting in extra hours of work after practice to ensure he is prepared for his next bout.
"Getting your hand raised on the mat is enough motivation for me to work harder," Oplinger said regarding his training.
Coach Jack Childs, who reached a milestone last week by recording his 400th Division I victory, said Oplinger's win was something he expected.
"It's quite an accomplishment for the young man," Childs said. "Jon is an inspiration for some of the younger guys and it shows them they have the ability to do things like him [Oplinger]."
So far this season Oplinger has posted an overall record of 24-3 (4-1 CAA).
He contributes some of his success to how comfortable he feels here at Drexel.
"Drexel wrestling is like family," Oplinger said. "The team always hangs out together and it has been a great experience so far."
In addition to his 100 wins and his national ranking, Oplinger has won the Binghamton Open, East Stroudsburg Open and Penn State Open in his weight division over the course of his career.
Oplinger has a number of great opportunities in front of him to expand his already extensive wrestling resume.
Coach Childs will lead Oplinger and the team down to Norfolk, Va. in March in search of a CAA Championship, and if 197-pounder performs well he'll qualify make a trip to St. Louis, Miss. to compete in the NCAA Championships.
Oplinger has enjoyed a success in his sport that most college wrestlers only dream of. Despite the list of accomplishments Oplinger has accumulated already, Childs feels he is not yet finished.
"Jon wants to be an All-American and once he gets that then he'll be satisfied with his wrestling accomplishments," Childs said.
Oplinger recorded his 100th victory over Anthony Tortora of Hofstra in a 16-8 major decision Jan. 31.
The win puts the 197-pounder, who is currently ranked 10th in the country in his weight class, into a select group as just nine Drexel wrestlers have reached the century mark.
"I feel honored to win my 100th match and become one of nine wrestlers to do so," Oplinger said.
Oplinger, the two-time Pennsylvania High School State Champion, separates himself from the competition by putting in extra hours of work after practice to ensure he is prepared for his next bout.
"Getting your hand raised on the mat is enough motivation for me to work harder," Oplinger said regarding his training.
Coach Jack Childs, who reached a milestone last week by recording his 400th Division I victory, said Oplinger's win was something he expected.
"It's quite an accomplishment for the young man," Childs said. "Jon is an inspiration for some of the younger guys and it shows them they have the ability to do things like him [Oplinger]."
So far this season Oplinger has posted an overall record of 24-3 (4-1 CAA).
He contributes some of his success to how comfortable he feels here at Drexel.
"Drexel wrestling is like family," Oplinger said. "The team always hangs out together and it has been a great experience so far."
In addition to his 100 wins and his national ranking, Oplinger has won the Binghamton Open, East Stroudsburg Open and Penn State Open in his weight division over the course of his career.
Oplinger has a number of great opportunities in front of him to expand his already extensive wrestling resume.
Coach Childs will lead Oplinger and the team down to Norfolk, Va. in March in search of a CAA Championship, and if 197-pounder performs well he'll qualify make a trip to St. Louis, Miss. to compete in the NCAA Championships.
Oplinger has enjoyed a success in his sport that most college wrestlers only dream of. Despite the list of accomplishments Oplinger has accumulated already, Childs feels he is not yet finished.
"Jon wants to be an All-American and once he gets that then he'll be satisfied with his wrestling accomplishments," Childs said.
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