Jan. 4, 2007: The Salt Lake Tribune

Seniors Lead by Example
by John Renshaw

"They're both great, hard-working kids," coach Craig Stauffer said. "They lead by example - whether its cleaning up the gym after a meet or overcoming adversity."

Josh Larson (215 pounds) and Skyler Bird (189 pounds) are off to their best starts ever, at 12-3 and 13-2, respectively, through mid-December. But the road hasn't been easy for the co-captains. Earlier in their prep careers, the reality of life threatened to pin Larson and Bird in defeat.

Three years ago Bird was fast becoming a force to be reckoned with on the mat, thanks in large part to his father David Bird, a former prep wrestler who not only got Skyler involved in the sport but also helped his son develop sound fundamentals.

David worked as a roofer and even after long days there always was time to go over wrestling with his son.

After showing little interest in the sport at first, Skyler soon fell in love with it because of the new challenges that were presented each time he wrestled.

The biggest challenge came during his freshman year, and no one could have predicted it. His father was killed in a roofing accident.

"The first year after David's' passing, Skyler did OK," his mom, Colleen, said. "His sophomore year was more difficult, especially around the one year anniversary.

Skyler would say, 'I got into wrestling because dad loved it, now I'm doing it all alone.' But Skyler knows how to overcome obstacles by working hard. He's very goal oriented. He keeps his grades up by being an honor roll student . . . his work ethic has never changed."

For Skyler, giving up in the face of adversity was not an option.

"No matter how much your down by, nothing in life is impossible, you just need to go out and get it done," he said.

Bird earned a pre-season No. 1 ranking in his weight class this season and he continues moving forward on and off the mat.

"We've got a really great team this year, I think we'll have a good chance to compete at state. As far as the future goes, I'd like to become a teacher either in ceramics or math . . . and also coach baseball and wrestling," Bird said.

Larson has been challenged more by constant injuries over the past couple of seasons.

"Sophomore year, I had an injury called nasal septum hematoma and required surgery," Larson said. "Junior year I dislocated my elbow and than later on during the season I tore my rotator cuff."

Despite ongoing pain in his shoulder, Larson is determined to stay on the mat this season.

"I love the sport . . . " he said. "It works for me. I feel I'm good at it. The great thing about wrestling is there's a tremendous amount of respect between competitors.

We all know how brutal the sport can be. Their isn't as much trash-talking going on in this sport because its an individual sport. Once you take the mat, there's no one to rely on but yourself. You have the same size opponent and I personally think its the most difficult sport out there."

Larson finished his sophomore year ranked No. 1 in Region 3, and set a state record for the fastest pin of an opponent (nine seconds). Despite a disappointing junior year, Stauffer had enough confidence in Larson to name him captain this season.

"It's a real honor, because it shows respect for me and I want to do the best that I can and don't hold anything back this season," Larson said.

When he graduates, Larson wants to study sports medicine, perhaps at Utah Valley State College. But before the season concludes Larson has one more challenge awaiting him.

"I'm looking forward to wrestling against Copper Hills and David Williams," Larson said. "He's a good wrestler and I've yet to beat him."

That shouldn't be a problem, given Larson's past history with adversity. He and Bird have a long history of adapting, learning, and succeeding.

"You need to try and do your best, no matter what the odds are," Larson said.

In the hunt

* The Hunter High boys' wrestling team was 8-4 in mid-December after coming off an impressive, first-place finish at the North Summit Tournament.
* The Wolverines are led by senior co-captains Josh Larson and Skyler Bird.
* Bird and Larson are off to fast starts this season, after overcoming a series of challenges earlier in their prep wrestling careers.