George Kirgan transferred to NIU from the University of Nebraska two years ago. After going 8-11 last season, the 174-pound junior is 15-8 this season with a team-high six pins.

Northern Star: Out of all the sports, why wrestling?

George Kirgan: I guess it was because my father really influenced me into wrestling. I’ve just always been around it, since I was a little kid. I’ve always been doing it. It might not have always been my favorite sport, but I tend to do the best in it, so I went with that.

NS: You lead the team in pins. Why can’t anyone else get any?

GK: I don’t know why. My thing is, if I got a guy on his back, there is no way that I am going to let him off it. I think that once you get them on their back, you might as well end it there. Ever since I have been wrestling, I’ve been taught to pin.

NS: After Nebraska, why did you choose NIU?

GK: I liked the coaches; I got along with the guys on the team; I just thought that it was a good place to go. This is a good team, there’s a lot of hard workers and it fit well with my style.

NS: You mentioned the coaches. Describe Coach Grant in 10 words or less.

GK: [Coach just walks by] Simple, hard-headed and hard work ethic. That’s like five words. How’s that sound?

NS: Now, you’re a wrestler, but if you were also a cartoon character, who would you be?

GK: Man, I would have to say Curious George. I used to always have wrestling tournaments with my stuffed animals when I was a kid and Curious George always won. [Laughs] Plus, he has my name.

NS: What music really pumps you up for a match?

GK: Actually, I like to relax before a match. I can pump myself up before a match, but I would prefer to listen to more relaxing music. I like Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, maybe O.A.R.

NS: Tell me, what’s the worst album of all time?

GK: I just saw it today. I would say Nite, and Day. The album is called “Road to Know Were.” [Fellow wrestler Brandon Check is in the band along with ex-wrestler Jay O’Malley].

NS: Are there any perks to being an NIU athlete?

GK: No, not really. As far as being a wrestler, there’re no perks. Maybe being a football player, there would be more perks. As far as wrestlers, it’s just like being a normal student except you get to come home late and miss a couple of classes every now and then. You get about three hours of sleep before class. There’s not really any perks.

NS: What do you think the team thinks about you?

GK: Hopefully, they think that I am a good guy. I hope they think I try not to take things too seriously and try to have fun. Joking and relaxed. That’s it.

NS: What do you do in the offseason?

GK: I like to get consistent with my workouts. I like to work out four times a week. I figure I am doing more than the average guy out there. The offseason is the time to try and get better.

NS: You believe in dumb questions, right? What’s the dumbest question you asked pertaining to wrestling?

GK: When I was a kid, I used to go to tournaments and I remember asking other kids competing if they were good. I would just walk up to them and ask, “Are you good?”

NS: How do you see your season ending?

GK: Hopefully winning the MAC tournament, going on to nationals and becoming an All-American.