Journey man: Position switch proving fruitful for Montana’s Grimsrud

MISSOULA — Depth is at all times a must have in soccer at each place, and the Montana Grizzlies have been in want of that at offensive line final season.

They did not need to look far to fill that want. Earlier than fall camp started, the Griz teaching employees switched Journey Grimsrud from the line of defense over to offense, and the training curve shortly started.

“It wasn’t new completely, nevertheless it was a change that is for certain,” Grimsrud stated with fun.

The Huntley Undertaking product and rising redshirt sophomore was thrown into the fireplace as he realized his new place at proper guard.

Whereas he had expertise on the offensive line from highschool, he nonetheless had a lot to determine, and it was a crash course within the fall.

“It was tough and I sort of felt like I had a time crunch simply in case I needed to play, which ended up occurring, so I am glad I took it critical and realized all the pieces,” Grimsrud stated. “The coaches are simply phenomenal, and people higher classmen who helped me out and informed me just about all the pieces even in the course of the video games so it labored out.”

Bodily, Grimsrud was tasked with placing on about 30 kilos to get larger, and he presently weighs 290 kilos. Mentally, the training curve and combating nerves was additionally an impediment.

“It was nerve-wracking, so simply need to strive not to consider folks watching and what folks suppose and try to keep on with what you already know and make it occur,” Grimsrud stated. “Teaching-wise simply the training of all the pieces. There’s simply a lot to be taught switching up, after which simply player-wise, speak to (heart) AJ (Forbes) about our double groups and (proper deal with) Brandon (Casey) about our double groups after which in the course of the recreation truly speaking about it and figuring it out sort of because it went alongside, nevertheless it all ended up understanding fairly nicely.”

It proved to be the correct transfer on the proper time.

When the season obtained underway, UM’s offensive line handled accidents halfway by way of the 12 months, so Grimsrud obtained the prospect to play early, however finally slid into the beginning position and by no means let go, as he began six video games for the Griz final season. After guard Liam Brown was injured in opposition to Idaho State, Grimsrud discovered himself thrown into heavy minutes, and he ran with it.

It took a very long time to really feel any form of consolation on the place, however because the season went on he took benefit of his alternative at every flip.

“Meant quite a bit for certain,” Grimsrud stated. “Rising up, you already know, simply attempting to get to the faculty degree after which getting right here and dealing your approach up, after which lastly getting a shot and it sort of pays off and it means quite a bit for certain.

“It was sort of a confidence booster for certain. Form of getting the belief and camaraderie by the older guys and sort of simply getting thrown in and making it occur.”

Griz head coach Bobby Hauck stated Grimsrud had the dimensions and athleticism to make the change, and took to the place as soon as he obtained his ft below him.

“It is so completely different technically, after which you have to be taught the offense too so the training curve is actually steep,” Hauck stated. “And so the primary couple of weeks have been actually uphill for him, however then as soon as he settled in and knew what he was doing, then it grew to become perceive the sport plan, know the calls which can be on the decision sheet, and maintain refining method and he is executed that all through.

“He did it by way of the season, he is executed it this winter and watching him this spring you would not know he wasn’t a veteran on the place.”

To not point out having a participant keen to change it as much as assist the workforce as wanted.

“I feel we now have a very good workforce and the workforce idea and doing what’s finest for the workforce will not be misplaced on anyone,” Hauck stated. “When you’ve got plenty of guys that really feel that approach, and Journey most likely exemplifies that, then you’ve got an opportunity to have a very good soccer workforce.”

With spring soccer winding down for the Grizzlies, Grimsrud has used this time to hone his craft and proceed to develop heading into subsequent season.

“Get my footwork down and be assured,” Grimsrud stated. “I’ve obtained a lot of the small stuff nonetheless to excellent I suppose like footwork and tempo and studying all the pieces and all of it actually so nonetheless have an extended solution to go however obtained time.

“I simply need to have the ability to play as assured as I can and haven’t any stress throughout these video games as a result of that was the problem final 12 months however simply maintain getting higher and being assured.”