The Collegian

Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Sports

I am still unsure exactly why I made the decision to become a Charger. Four years ago on my recruitment trip, I simply wanted to take a day off from high school and stop the phone calls from a certain coach Jeff Forino. What I discovered was a college that prides itself on student-athletes, building character and a commitment to excellence. I've never had second thoughts on my decision. As a student-athlete at Hillsdale, I've seen highlights galore, and today I'm pleased to relive three memorable moments of Charger history since my freshman year: the fall of 2005.

Homecoming 2006: The Chargers met the Greyhounds of Indianapolis on the gridiron. Heading into the game, it appeared as an inevitable loss and a disappointing homecoming. Once the Greyhounds jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, a loss seemed even more evident. Odds were against the Chargers. A freshman at the time, Brad Otterbein received the nod from his dad, head coach Keith Otterbein, that he was the starting quarterback after injury to the first and second string quarterbacks, Aaron Scholl and future all-American, Mark Nicolet. Otterbein's inexperience and small stature gave Charger pessimists more to gripe about, but his knowledge of the game shone beginning in the second quarter. At the half, the Chargers faced a six-point deficit.

It was not until the fourth quarter when the young quarterback faced a test that not many Hillsdale quarterbacks have taken: five minutes to steal a homecoming victory. Otterbein strung together four perfect passes for a total of 74 yards, with the final toss winding up in the endzone to then sophomore, Aaron Waldie. Chargers: 14, Greyhounds: 13. And the fans rushed the field, embracing the young hero. A homecoming never forgotten.

2006 Krout Legacy: Later that year, a new teammate of mine showed up on campus. Quietly. Junior Jared Krout had high school statistics that everyone on the track team, as well as the entire conference, knew about soon enough.

Krout qualified for the 200 and 400-meter dash finals and competed in his first long jump final that evening. After the first round, the freshman found himself in second place, a solid place for a freshman at this level of competition.

With his final jump of the competition, his coach told him to sprint hard down the runway, hoping to get that perfect combination of speed and takeoff, realizing he had nothing to lose. Krout hit the board perfectly, lofted into the air and splashed into the sand. The arena became quiet. The official pulled the tape measurer to the board and announced, "7 point…" he pulled the tape tighter. "7.27 meters. 23-feet, 10.25-inches."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools