Big Man on Campus
Senior heavyweight Josh Walker is not only the biggest Nittany Lion on the mat
by Andy Elder
Mentioning growth and heavyweight in the same sentence is as natural as breathing. But, Penn State senior heavyweight Josh Walker has taken growth to a whole new level.
“Literally and figuratively, he’s grown, “Penn State coach Troy Sunderland said. “Josh wrestled 171 in high school. Last year he hit the century mark when he hit 271. He’s since lost some weight. But he’s grown in a lot of ways.”
Walker has trimmed down to around 250 this year, but the growth in the senior from Lancaster’s story is about much more than weight.
He’s now a starter, one of the captains of the team and a vice president of Penn State’s Student Athlete Advisory Board, a group of student-athletes that represent the interests of student-athletes to the university, Big Ten and NCAA. He’s come a long way since his days at Lampeter-Strasburg High School.
“He has a really neat family and has really been a great representative for this program since his freshman year. Now he’s a leader of the Student Athlete Advisory Board and team captain, “Sunderland said. “He’s a vocal kid who has a good head on his shoulders. He’s worked really hard. He’s not the greatest athlete you’ll ever see but he gets the most out of himself.”
Part of getting the most out of himself was a kind of Catch 22. Stuck behind All-American Pat Cummins, Walker could have easily grown frustrated and transferred. Instead, he perceived the roadblock for the opportunity it was – a chance to wrestle every day with one of the best heavyweights in the country. “Josh has done everything we’ve asked of him. He’s stepped in when we’ve asked him. He understood when we stuck Pat in and we were trying to figure out who was the better heavyweight early in his career, “Sunderland said.
“He did have opportunities to go elsewhere and was loyal to the program and Penn State. He felt like the program here at Penn State put him in a position to have the success he’s had. “With Cummins having graduated after last season, Walker was the presumptive starter heading into this season. But, Walker didn’t approach his off-season conditioning program with that thought in mind.
“It was a relief knowing that Pat had graduated. I didn’t want to wait all the time that I did. It was frustrating at times. But, at the same time I knew I was getting better by wrestling Pat. It was fun for me, too, because I was friends with Pat and to be able to help him I could feel I was at least a part of his success, “Walker said.
“Knowing he was gone and it was my turn was a little bit of a relief. But, at the same time, Aaron Anspach isn’t any slouch. We’ve battled. I’ve beaten him in a couple wrestle-offs. I knew he was working hard this summer. I tried to change some things up this summer and drop a few pounds running the mountain. I knew it was going to be a battle again. He ended up getting hurt, but knowing he was there, I didn’t approach the season as though the job was mine. I looked over my shoulder a little bit.”
Knowing the job was finally there for the taking, but knowing he might be challenged once again, Walker wanted to step up his training while slimming down his weight. “I wanted to get a little bit quicker. When I first went up to heavyweight my sophomore year I was light, about 225. I could shoot all match but I was getting pushed around by the big guys. Then I tried to bulk up and I was around 270 last year. Getting pushed around wasn’t a problem anymore, but I was a step slower. I wanted to get down to around 245-250. I’m at 250 right now. I feel good. I feel quicker and stronger and ready to go, “Walker said.
“Phil Davis and I started running the mountain together this summer once a week. We started running up it once. For the next two weeks we ran it two times. I think we got up to three times in a row and then doing other conditioning.”
The mountain Walker referenced was Mount Nittany, a storied mountain tied to Penn State and Happy Valley lore. Those who live in the State College area know it to be a taxing hike while just walking.
“The thing about the mountain is, it’s physically tough, but it’s more of a mental thing. About half way up, your body goes, ‘I want to start walking.’ But then you realize you make it the whole way running. Watching Pat do it a lot really helped me. Pat’s the same size as I am and he can sprint up that thing. I just had to get it through my head, “Walker said. Now, the senior journalism major who has compiled an 82-27 career record, contemplates the final stages of his wrestling and overall Penn State careers.
“It’s been an amazing experience. I really couldn’t have planned it any better. I really think God put me at Penn State because that’s the place I was meant to be. The coaches were the perfect coaches for me. I’ve learned more from them and they’ve really been patient with me bringing me along. Other coaches might not have done that because, I’ve got to admit, I wasn’t the best athlete, “Walker said.
“It’s been great. I’ve been able to take on a lot of things. I’m confident that these experiences will lend themselves to my life that’s coming after this. I plan on concentrating these next two months on becoming an All-American and national champion. After that I’m going to sit back and enjoy the rest of my experience.”
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