Kempenich hoping for strong senior season

<br>(Norman-AP) -- Scott Kempenich had a promising first year with the Oklahoma Sooners. Kempenich's redshirt freshman season in 1997 ended with the offensive tackle earning honorable mention All-Big

Friday, August 11th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Norman-AP) -- Scott Kempenich had a promising first year with the Oklahoma Sooners. Kempenich's redshirt freshman season in 1997 ended with the offensive tackle earning honorable mention All-Big 12.

The former Wagoner High School standout seemed like a lock to become the first O-U offensive lineman to earn first team all-conference honors since Brian Brauninger in 1991. But Kempenich got hurt -- several times.

He had problems with his right foot and had surgery in 1998 on his left knee. He saw little action last year because of a persistent injury.

He may not be in the kind of shape he would like but he looked good yesterday when the Sooners held their first full-squad double session of the pre-season.

Kempenich is hoping his senior year will fulfill the promise of his freshman season. He says he's going to do everything he can to see that it does.