Oregon Institute of Technology Athletics

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - No one has had a more circuitous route to play basketball for Oregon Tech than has senior Kellen Gerig.

After high school, Gerig headed to Humboldt State University for a season of NCAA Division II basketball. He then transferred to Shasta College in Northern California before making the trip to Klamath Falls.

"I didn't like the area," he said of Humboldt County. "It's just the opposite of Bieber. I knew I wanted out and had some buddies at Shasta, so I went there. I still wanted to keep playing and I liked that Oregon Tech was close to home. I liked the guys when I met them on a visit."

Unlike many of his teammates, Gerig had previous knowledge of Oregon Tech.

Watching the Hustlin' Owls is something he did growing up in Bieber, California, where he intends to return upon graduation and help with the family ranch between Bieber and Lookout.

It helped a little, too, that his father Bryan had played games at OIT's Danny Miles Court when the elder Gerig played at Central Washington University when that school was part of the league in which OIT played.

Now a 23-year-old communications studies major at OIT, the younger Gerig always thought he could play well at the college level.

A brilliant effort at the end of January against Northwest University put an exclamation point on that, his career high 37 points, along with several rebounds and blocked shots, obvious. "It's not that I was worried," Gerig said. "I felt I could adjust. I felt I could play. I hoped I could help play for a conference championship but had no idea about a national championship."

Gerig had what appeared to be a break-out performance in the 2019 national title game against Spring Arbor of Michigan, a game the Hustlin' Owls would drop in a close contest in what was OIT's fifth NAIA Division II national championship game appearance.

"I didn't know that much about NAIA basketball then. Ever since, I want to get back and that's why we all came back," Gerig said of the several players from the 2020 team which was poised to make another championship run before the national tournament was abruptly canceled because of Covid 19 concerns.

Like his teammates, there is little talk about another title run. "We have a lot of little things we have to get done before that," he said.

A multi-sport standout at Big Valley High School, Gerig is one in a long line of small-school prep athletes who have helped Oregon Tech to conference and national tournament championship runs.

He also played football, baseball and competed in track and field while in high school and would join a list of players from Klamath Basin high schools like Bonanza, Chiloquin, Lost River and Lakeview, as well as Henley and Mazama from Klamath Falls, who have helped the Hustlin' Owls win three national titles.

"I expected to play and produce, and win games because of previous teams," Gerig said. "I came and watched games when I was young, but this has exceeded my expectations. We've had a winning team and I thought we could win the league, but I never thought about nationals until we were there.

"I didn't know how big the national tournament was," he said of the oldest collegiate national basketball tournament in the country, one which is several years older than the better-known NCAA Division I championships.

"I would like to win the conference tournament championship, but what I most want is to finish strong, to go out strong and be happy with myself. I just want to remember my college experience as fun, something I don't want to forget."

Steve Matthies is the sports editor emeritus of the Klamath Falls Herald and News. He covered Oregon Tech athletics for more than 30 years.
 
KELLEN GERIG AT A GLANCE

• Favorite TV show – Yellowstone.
• Favorite movie – Glory Road.
• Person he would most like to meet – Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski.
• Favorite place visited – Hawaii.
• Place would like to visit – Mexico.
• Sports hero – Kobe Bryant.
• Favorite food – Chinese.
• Parents – Bryan and Shannon Gerig.
• Siblings – brothers Konnor and Kendell.