Doperalski, a Wamego, Kansas native, was a two-year cross country and track and field standout for the T-Birds where he would earn NJCAA All-American status five times and set two school records. After earning a 20th-place finish at the 2000 NJCAA Division II Cross Country Championships,  Doperalski would finish fourth at the 2001 NJCAA Division II Cross Country Championships while helping CCCC to a seventh-place team finish. Following his time at Cloud County, Doperalski transferred to the University of Nebraska where he was an All-Big 12 performer while helping the Huskers claim four Big 12 Championships.