ODELL - A chance to gain a starting role led Diller-Odell graduate Dylan Nippert to choose to continue his football career with the Peru State College Bobcats.
Nippert, who will take the field as a kicker, said he will have the opportunity to compete for the starting job come fall practice.
“He (coach Terry Clark) recruited a lot of kickers,” Nippert said. “So I'm just looking for the chance to compete and hopefully get that No. 1 spot.”
While his high school experience was limited to kicking extra points, kickoffs and punts, Nippert said it shouldn't take him long to adjust to a bigger role on special teams.
“I think I'll fit in really well,” Nippert said. “Right now, I'm trying to go from kicking off a tee to kicking on the ground, so I'm going to have to work hard to get the job.”
Off the field, Nippert said he feels Peru is an excellent place to spend the next four years of his life.
“The people I talked to had nothing but good things to say about the campus, and I enjoyed the campus a lot when I visited,” Nippert said. “It's a great place, the people are genuine, and my parents really liked it, too.”
Nippert said he also considered Doane College, Briar Cliff University and Concordia University.
“I chose Peru because they were the most interested in me,” Nippert said. “They've had some down years lately, but hopefully we can change that.”
Nippert said most of his goals we revolve around helping the team in any capacity he's able, but added he does have a couple individual aspirations he'd like to achieve before his collegiate career ends.
“I really want to try to make a 40-yard field goal,” Nippert said. “I didn't even try to make a field goal in high school, so I'd like to excel enough to make a 40-yarder.”
In the classroom, Nippert has a different aim in mind. He's planning on majoring in criminal justice with the goal of eventually becoming a juvenile couselor.
“I used to mentor kids and I do a lot of volunteer work with kids, including coaching an elementary school soccer team,” Nippert said. “I'd really like to try to get some troubled kids back on track and on their way to success.”
Nippert said the biggest lesson he's learned is to not give up on achieving your goals. He said that message has always been instilled into him, and it's one he desires to pass on.
“Coach (Mike) Meyerle always got us really pumped up and reminded us of our home record,” Nippert said. “There were a couple times during my senior year when we were down, but we didn't give up and we came out on top.”
Nippert said the Griffins faced a 20-point deficit against Polk-High Plains in the playoffs, but came back and won the game. Earlier in the season, Diller-Odell nearly pulled off a come-from-behind win against Johnson-Brock.
“Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose,” Nippert said. “But if you don't give up, you're going to meet, and sometimes exceed, your goals.
“I'm proud of how we played in those games and it was really nice that we were able to keep up that tradition this season.”
Nippert said the most memorable goal his team achieved came during his junior season against Falls City Sacred Heart.
“It was the playoffs, and it was the last time we got to play them at their place,” Nippert said. “No one is supposed to come in there and win, but we beat them.”
Another moment that will be forever etched in his memory is a first of what he hopes to be a regular occurrence with the Bobcats.
“My other memory I'll always remember is my sophomore year, making my first extra point,” Nippert said. “It was amazing.”