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Former Wildcat shines as a Longhorn
University of Texas pitcher Kenn Kasparek, a former Weimar High School graduate, gets ready to throw a pitcher to an Aggie batter at College Station.
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By Jacob Truchard, Sports Writer
A former Weimar Wildcat recently received recognition for his accomplishments as a Longhorn pitcher.
Kenn Kasparek, a 2004 graduate of Weimar High School and a junior and starting pitcher for the University of Texas baseball team was recognized with the 2008 Big 12 Conference Spring Sports Good Works Team Award. This was an honor he received because of his many hours of volunteer work.
During the 2007-08 year, Kasparek has been involved in community projects such as mentoring young students in math and reading at Sanchez Elementary School and reading to children and helping with playground activites at the UT Childcare Center.
“The Big 12 Conference Good Works Team is a very nice honor to receive,” Kasparek said. “It just shows the hard work the students around the conference put in off the field. I happen to be lucky enough to be selected to receive it and feel very honored.”
Besides the volunteer honor, the 6 feet 10 inch Kasparek has been recognized for his pitching on the UT team.
He was named the Louisville Slugger’s National Pitcher of the Week from Collegiate Baseball as well took honors with the Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Award and the Pro-Line Athletic National Pitcher of the Week Award within a week.
Prior to winning these awards, Kasparek recorded the 20th no hitter in the school’s history in an 11-0 win against the Texas State Bobcats.
“As far as the pitcher awards go, I think it is just unbelievable,” Kasparek said. “I don’t think I ever expected to receive anything like this coming into the season, but it was an unforgettable week with the no-hitter against Texas State and the eight shut-out innings against Baylor.”
Kasparek said it came at a perfect time of the season for his team as well.
“We are not only at the end of conference play, we have Texas A&M this weekend and then travel to Oklahoma City Monday to play our first game on Wednesday,” Kasparek said. “Hopefully, it is something that we can carry throughout these next few games and ride it into the regional’s, super regional’s and Omaha.”
Kasparek and the Longh-orns swept the Aggies this past weekend to add to his ongoing momentum.
With all of this season’s success, it can be hard to believe that Kasparek did not compete in 2007 due to an elbow injury,
“The first time that he threw a ball after his arm surgery, it didn’t even go two feet,” said Louise Kasparek, Kenn’s mother. “He worked extremely hard to get to where he is today.”
Louis said that Kenn’s day would usually start at 5 a.m. with working out for his strengthening and conditioning and then attending a full day of classes, baseball practice, study halls and volunteer work.
“The day would usually end around 10 or 11 p.m each night,” Louise Kasparek said. “His vigorous work out resulted in a foot injury. He ended up having a torn ligament in his foot repaired and spent three months in a walking boot.”
Louis said that her son was fortunate to have some wonderful doctors who have gotten him back to 100 percent.
“We feel like he is stronger than he has ever been before,” Louise said. “Even through the toughest times, he has always been extremely optimistic.”
During the 2006 season, Kenn struck out 39 batters, limited opponents to a .263 average over 64 innings, posted a 5-2 record, three saves and a 3.80 ERA.
During Kasparek’s high school career as a Weimar Wildcat, he was a member of the 2001 and 2003 state championship teams and was the winning pitcher of the title game of the 2001 state tournament.
With all of the success he has had in the past and the dedication and determination Kenn continues to portray, the sky’s the limit as he continues his baseball career.
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