Championship level motivates Burlington wrestler
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
To be a good wrestler, you have to throw a “normal” diet out the window.
Grapplers are constantly losing and gaining weight to fit in a desired weight class when it comes match time.
Burlington sophomore Josh Bird is no exception.
The light weight star, who won both a state title and a national title in 2013 as a freshman, is back in the mix for the Burlington wrestling team after missing the first two months of the season with a broken thumb.
Saturday marked his first action of the season, the Burlington Invite, a seemingly laid-back event against some nonconference foes. Certainly not as big of a deal as a high-stakes Southern Lakes Conference dual or a state battle in Madison, right?
Wrong.
Bird, 16, is cut from a different cloth when it comes to wrestling. On Twitter Saturday morning, Bird said he woke up at 4 a.m. to make weight. Since he was a few pounds off, he had to scramble to make weight for his 138-pound slot that day.
Eventually Bird will wrestle at 126, but this day the team needed him to bulk up and take on bigger opponents. Even though he had such a long layoff.
The No. 1-ranked wrestler in the state at 126 showed little rust from his 44-4 season a year ago. Bird went 5-0 Saturday in leading the Demons to a 5-0 championship.
After a close victory over Mukwonago, Bird looked visibly frustrated when the referee raised his hand.
His standards are through the roof, and he expects perfect execution every time. On Tuesday, Bird tweeted since there was no school, it was training time.
It’s this kind of dedication and competitiveness combined with proven results that made Josh the 2013 Burlington Standard Press Male Athlete of the Year.
The Standard Press recently caught up with Bird to discuss his return, the Demons’ chances this season and his origins on the mat.
SP: First and foremost, how is your injury? Take me through what happened, and what are the day-to-day struggles?
JB: My thumb is completely healed and strong. I broke it at wrestling practice. About a week later, I went to see Dr. Watchmaker, and he told me I needed surgery.
SP: I believe Saturday’s tournament was your first time wrestling this year? How good did that feel, and how much did you miss the sport?
JB: I missed wrestling and competing like crazy. It feels great to wrestle again. I realized that I still need a lot of work though and have much more to accomplish. Having to take the time off for my thumb to heal definitely gave me more drive.
SP: I’m sure you’ve won numerous awards in your wrestling career. How important are awards?
JB: I don’t feel I need any.
SP: How old were you when you started wrestling? How were you introduced to the sport?
JB: I have been wrestling since I can remember. My dad wrestled in high school and college, became a coach and never stopped. I have pictures of me at wrestling tournaments in a backpack and learning the stance as soon as I could stand.
SP: In 2013, you won a state and a national title. Which one was bigger in your opinion and why?
JB: The national title was bigger because colleges look at national successes over state.
SP: What went through your mind when you won the state title? Were you surprised? What kind of mental and physical preparation did it take to get to that level of competition?
JB: I remember thinking, “I did it!” and “One down, three to go.” My dad has been telling me what it takes to be a champion since I can remember, and I just put that to work. As far as my mental preparation, my mom has helped me a lot. She owns Win With Hypnosis and works with athletes on developing a Mental Training program, which creates mental toughness. I have learned that most sports are 10 percent physical and 90 percent mental. In addition, I have a personal coach, Ole D’Alie, who works with me on strength, conditioning and technique.
SP: How cool was winning a national title? Take me through your experience.
JB: Winning a national title felt awesome, and that motivates me to keep up the work to win another one. When wrestling for a big tournament, I tell myself to “go hard the whole time” and “be tenacious/don’t stop.” I know my self-talk needs to remain positive.
SP: Why do you love wrestling? What does it do for you?
JB: I wrestle because I love it. Wrestling gives me an emotional high and teaches me many life lessons like dedication, time management and determination.
SP: What is hardest part about being a wrestler?
JB: Diet and conditioning.
SP: Your Demons squad won conference last year, and the team is leading the SLC this season. Why are you guys so good? How does the team build chemistry?
JB: We have some good wrestlers on our team, and we work hard in practice. Our coach and team captains set up team-building activities outside of practice.
SP: Talk about the coaching staff. How have they helped you become a better wrestler?
JB: My coaches challenge me to work hard and are by my side the whole way. They have supported me through my ups and downs.
SP: What are your goals for this season, both personally and as a team?
JB: I would like to win another state title this year and go undefeated. I would also like to win Freestyle and Greco State as well. I would also like to win a team state championship.
SP: Why do you think wrestling is so big in Burlington?
JB: Because the Burlington Youth Club starts wrestlers out young and has great coaches. They follow and support kids all the way up to high school and are a great role models. We also have some great wrestling clubs in the area.
SP: Who is your inspiration?
JB: Jordan Burroughs (Olympic champ) because of his determination, work ethic and relentlessness. My dad because he is a great man on and off the mat and always supports me. He also works his hardest at everything he does, and I admire that.
SP: How do you balance school work with wrestling?
JB: I try to fit time between practice and workouts to do homework and study.
Meet Josh Bird
Wrestling is… a way to express my feelings and emotions and something to look forward to every day.
I won state and national titles because…of my dedication and mental preparation.
Favorite movie: Fast and Furious movies
Favorite song: “Tell Me How You Like It,” Florida-Georgia Line
Food ritual before a match: fruit and water
Favorite professional wrestler: Jordan Burroughs and Cael Sanderson
If you could have dinner with one person dead or alive, who would it be and why? Jesus
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