Oct. 9, 2008
BERKELEY - The California men's gymnastics team welcomes seven newcomers to the squad for the 2009 season. CalBears.com recently sat down with the Class of 2012 to learn more about each player's history, interests and experiences thus far as Golden Bears.
Nic Blair
Events: FX, PH, V, PB, HB
Hometown: Kernersville, NC
High School: East Forsyth HS
CalBears.com: Why did you choose Cal?
NB: "I wanted a change from North Carolina. It's quite exhilarating knowing home is over 3,000 miles away as well as attending the number one public school in the nation. I also had to continue training. I honestly do not know what I would do without gymnastics."
CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
NB: "The hardest thing came to me after my first midterm: being at the top of the class back home means nothing academically here at Berkeley; I must try even harder just to break the average standard."
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about gymnastics and/or how did you get started in gymnastics?
NB: "My favorite part about gymnastics is learning so much from my enthusiastic teammates. I love being part of a family and progressing everyday. I got started in gymnastics in 1996 after the Atlanta Olympics. Ever since then, it's been 20-25 hours a week in the gym."
Daniel Culpepper
Events: FX, V
Hometown: Mobile, Ala.
High school: Baker HS
CalBears.com: Why did you choose Cal?
DC: "Cal's reputation for outstanding academics combined with the opportunity to pursue gymnastics in college. The diversity of the city of Berkeley also made Cal appealing to me."
CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
DC: "The most difficult part of the transition between high school and college is having friends that live right next door. It makes the temptation to avoid studying much greater than it was at home."
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CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about gymnastics and/or how did you get started in gymnastics?
DC: "I started gymnastics because I used to do handstands around the house and back flips off our diving board at home when I was five. My mom wanted me to be safe, so she put me in classes."
Glen Ishino
Events: All-Around
Hometown: Santa Ana, Calif.
High School: Foothill HS
CalBears.com: Why did you choose Cal?
GI: "I picked Cal because of its world-renown quality of academics and the environment of Cal's nationally ranked gymnastics program."
CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
GI: "There is a tremendous time management commitment as a student athlete that is needed to balance workout schedules."
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about gymnastics?
GI: "As a National Team member, it is a great honor to represent your country at international competitions in foreign countries. My favorite part is to travel and experience other cultures. I also enjoy getting to experience different food."
Jacob Jizrawi
Events: FX, SR, V, PB, HB
Hometown: San Rafael, Calif.
High school: Marin Catholic HS
CalBears.com: Why did you choose Cal?
JJ: "I chose Cal because it is one of the top ranking public schools in the country, and it has a strong gymnastics team, which I would like to contribute to. I also chose Cal because I grew up around it, living in the Bay Area and all."
CalBears.com: What has been your favorite part about college life so far?
JJ: "I like the freedom, new responsibilities and the people. It's really easy to meet new people. I like the responsibility because it makes me feel good about myself - knowing I can handle and take care of myself. Now, because I'm living away from home, I have to make sure I keep myself healthy and that I stay on top of all my work."
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about gymnastics and/or how did you get started in gymnastics?
JJ: "My favorite part about gymnastics is learning new skills, or at least making old skills look nicer, cleaner, and more controlled. I got started in gymnastics at the age of six when my parents saw me rolling around and flipping all over the floor, and they decided to put me in classes."
Jim Kerry
Events: FX, SR, V, PB, HB
Hometown: Huntington Beach, Calif.
High school: Huntington Beach HS
CalBears.com: Why did you choose Cal?
JK: "I loved the team, and atmosphere, and Berkeley is a very prestigious school."
CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
JK: "I love being treated like an adult instead of being treated like a kid in high school."
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about gymnastics and/or how did you get started in gymnastics?
JK: "I love working hard and accomplishing a difficult skill that takes me a while to learn."
Raion Sabo
Events: PH, PB, HB
Hometown: South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
High school: Tahoe Academy
CalBears.com: Why did you choose Cal?
RS: "Top-notch school with top-notch athletics. It is the best place for me to pursue my academic goals, athletic goals, and enjoy it at the same time. Plus, it's California, and there is nowhere else I would rather live."
CalBears.com: What has been your favorite part about college life so far?
RS: "I love the urban college experience. Coming from the small town of South Lake Tahoe, everything is very new and exiting in the urban atmosphere at Cal. From riding BART to walking through Sproul Plaza at lunchtime - everyday there is something new going on."
CalBears.com: What is something that sets you apart from your teammates?
RS: "One thing that I believe is unique about myself is the obstacles that I have overcome to get where I am today. Since my start in gymnastics, I have had six broken bones and undergone three surgeries along with many other injuries that forced me out of the gym. Also, the lack of adequate training in my hometown forced me to commute an hour and a half each way to get to a gym that could further my potential. It is because of these obstacles that I have become a stronger person today and the hard work I have done has shown its payoffs by my presence at the top public school in the nation."
Michael Salipante
Events: SR, V, PB
Hometown: Wellesley, Mass.
High school: Wellesley HS
CalBears.com: Why did you choose Cal?
MS: "I really wanted to see another side of the country. Cal has both great academics and athletics. I loved it when I visited."
CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
MS: "The lack of free time. We keep very busy with our workout schedule and the amount of schoolwork we have to do."
CalBears.com: What is your favorite part about gymnastics and/or how did you get started in gymnastics?
MS: "I started when I was two with mom and tot classes. My sister was a gymnast so I was always in the gym when she was in class, so my mom signed me up and I never stopped going. My favorite part of gymnastics is the feel of accomplishment after a good routine or learning a new skill."
