JEFF FIELDER Editor
SCOTTSBLUFF – Jacob Krul, a senior running back and defensive back on Scottsbluff High School’s football team, is this week’s Nspire Today! Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Krul is one of the top running backs in Class B. He’s rushed for well over 100 yards in each of the Bearcats’ first three games to help Scottsbluff roll out to a 3-0 record. He’s been on Scottsbluff’s varsity football team since his sophomore year, starting the last two years. His parents are Rachel and Scott Krul.
Q: How pleased are you with how Scottsbluff has started this football season?
KRUL: “This season I think our energy has been beautiful. We’ve all been playing well as a team. A lot of people doubted us because we lost a lot of starters from last year, but I think people have definitely stepped up this year. A lot of us put in a lot of work during the offseason to make this a successful season. We’ve been doing really well; we just need to keep the intensity level up and stay focused each week.”
Q: What were your expectations for this team coming into the season?
KRUL: “My expectations for the team were pretty high. I trust every single one of my brothers 100 percent. They put in a lot of work just like I did. Because of how hard we worked during the offseason, I expected this to be a good season.”
Q: What are your goals for this team for the rest of the season?
KRUL: “First, I want all of our players to make it through the season without getting injured, and I want everyone to stay focused and do well in school, keeping their grades up. Also, I want us to make it back to the state championship game.”
Q: How does this year’s team compare to last year’s squad?
KRUL: “I would say it’s just as good, if not better. Even though we lost a lot of talent from last year’s team, we also gained a lot of talent.”
Q: Which side of the ball seems stronger for Scottsbluff – offense or defense?
KRUL: “I would say our offensive side might be a little stronger than our defensive side. The reason I say that is we lost a lot more people on defense last year.”
Q: How do you like how you’ve been playing individually?
KRUL: “Well, first, I’ll give you a little bit of background. My trainer for strength and conditioning is Jeff Chitwood. He’s been training me ever since the end of my sophomore year. He got me a lot bigger and a lot stronger. He helped me be able to squat 500-plus pounds, he’s helped me be able to deadlift 500-plus pounds, and he has me benching over 300 pounds. He’s also helped me increase my body weight, so it’s a lot easier for me this year to run the ball. I feel a lot bigger, stronger and faster. I also think it’s easier for me to read holes this year. I give a lot of credit to the offensive linemen. They definitely make my job a lot easier. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to run the ball like I have.”
Q: Did you have any personal goals going into this season?
KRUL: “My personal goal is I would like to lead Class B in rushing yards. Really, though, I just want to help the team any way I can.”
Q: How much fun are you having this season?
KRUL: “It’s a lot of fun. My teammates make it enjoyable to come to practice every day. There hasn’t been one day that I’ve showed up to practice not wanting to get better with them. It’s a very good environment. The coaches bring the energy as well. It’s a great group of guys.”
Q: Did you used to compete in other sports?
KRUL: “Yes, I used to do track, baseball, basketball, and unified bowling. I used to wrestle as well. I used to do a lot of sports, but I used to be a small guy. My freshman year I came in weighing 126 pounds, and I knew as a running back if I wanted to get any carries at the varsity level I would have to pick up my weight and strength. That’s what I’ve focused on outside of the football season. That’s why I’ve spent so many hours in the weight room – about three hours a day. It’s paid off. Coming into my sophomore year, I weighed 150 pounds, and my junior year I weighed 171. Right now, I weigh between 185 and 190.”
Q: How do you feel when you’re out there on the football field? Do you definitely feel like you’re one of the stronger players out there?
KRUL: “Absolutely. That’s one thing that’s definitely changed from last year to this year. Last year I came in pretty strong, and this year I came in extremely strong, so my confidence level has really gone up.”
Q: Even if you didn’t play football, would weight lifting still be a big passion of yours?
KRUL: “Absolutely. I have a lot of role models who I look up to – all those guys from back in the 60s, 70s and 80s. I follow a lot of stuff about lifting. It’s definitely something that I’ve become passionate about. I’ll be doing this for the rest of my life.”
Q: What are your plans after high school? Do you think you’ll play college football?
KRUL: “Yes. Right now, I’m in contact with Dartmouth and Princeton. I’m actually heading up to Dartmouth soon on an unofficial visit. I’ve also gotten some looks from Division II schools. I’ll probably wait until after the football season to make any kind of college decision.”
Q: You said you’re involved in National Honor Society. How important is getting good grades and being part of NHS to you?
KRUL: “I take my school work very seriously. Without good grades, football would not be possible. Getting good grades is something that I control. I want to get good grades, and I know I can get good grades if I work hard at it.”
Q: What do you want to do for a career?
KRUL: “I’m kind of still thinking about it, but right now I run two businesses as a LLC. Both of them are under the name Triumph, LLC. One of them is a local snow removal business, and one of them is a fitness business. So, I like being an entrepreneur. I definitely have that type of mindset, so running a business in the future might be something that I pursue. Another thing is that since I really like training, it would be sweet to open up a gym, whether it’s a franchise or my own gym. That would be really cool.”
Q: In addition to sports, are you involved in any other school activities?
KRUL: “I’m involved in DECA and National Honor Society, and last year I was in HOSA. I’m also in FCA.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
KRUL: “Yes, I have a little sister. Her name is Olivia Krul. She’s 12.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in September to the Irrigation Disaster Relief Fund.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
