Posted 2/05/08
UW-Platteville wrestler Cory Zuberbier is a junior from Appleton, Wis. and Fox Valley Lutheran High School. He won the 174-pound weight class at the Spartan Matman Invitational at Manchester (Ind.) Jan. 19 and has a season record of 18-12.
You seem to be on quite a roll lately, winning the title at Manchester and beating a wrestler from Lawrence who beat you twice last year. Do you feel something different happening with you?
"I think a lot has to do with confidence. My confidence-level rose a bit after getting some of those wins. Beating some tougher opponents gave me the confidence I could beat just about anyone."
Was there a point where the light went on and everyone started coming together?
"At North Central (Jan. 11-12), I lost to the number one seed by just one point. I needed to another match to get to the championship, and I started winning. I had been losing the matches by a point, and then I started winning those matches like that and everything just sort of clicked."
What do you see for yourself for the rest of the season? Have you revised your goals?
"My goal right now is third in conference. Josh Chelf of La Crosse is ranked number one in the country, and Eric Bath of Stevens Point is second. My goal is to be right behind them. I have to beat somebody I have already lost to and then beat some people I have had close matches with already this year."
Is this the most fun you've ever had wrestling?
"I would say yes. It's a lot more fun when you're winning some matches."
Let's talk academics. You're an engineering major. What would you like to do with your degree?
"I'm going for mechanical engineering, and I'd like to be somewhere in the manufacturing part of it. I just got a co-op working with Bemis in Oshkosh in the packaging division."
Why did you originally come to UW-Platteville?
"I wanted engineering, and I had it narrowed down to Platteville and Milwaukee, which are really opposites. I visited both schools, and I like the smaller school setting, and Platteville also had the strong wrestling program."
You are on the academic all-conference team. How do you manage to accomplish all that you do?
"I try to make a point to get to the library. I get a lot more done with a lot less distractions. I try to get there at least once a day, usually at night. I go to my classes, relax a little bit, go to practice and then get to the library."
Interview by Sports Information Director Paul Erickson