University of Minnesota Athletics
Catching Up with Josh McLay
7/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
You made some noise at Big Tens and NCAAs, how much confidence does that give you entering your senior season?
It gave me something to look forward to. It shows me how close I am to being among the nation's best. It feels like I'm right there and I just have to push myself that extra step. It's been a hard grind these first four years, so I'm looking forward to this season.
Twenty-six of your 45 matches were decided by two points or less (14-12 record), how frustrating were those close defeats?
It was frustrating. I think it had a lot to do with the weight I was at. I think that will change if I can drop a weight. I injured my knee at Big Tens, so I'm just hoping I can get back to 100 percent by the time the season starts. That's my biggest concern right now. I have to decide whether to go to 165 or 174 so it should be pretty interesting.
Being a senior now and with Damion Hahn and Jacob Volkmann gone, do you expect to take on more of a leadership role?
It's a bit different now since I haven't done what they've done in their careers. I'm still learning like the rest of the guys. I'm not afraid to step up and take control or lead the guys in workouts. I feel like I'm ready to be a leader.
The program has seen some outstanding wrestlers graduate the past few years and this season, you have a great freshman class ready to contribute. What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
We're going to be a very young team so I think that just about anything can happen. Last year we went to Oklahoma State and beat them and I know we can compete with the best teams in the country this season. It will depend on how well our young guys make the transition from redshirting to being in the lineup. I believe we'll be top two or three in the nation when it's all said and done.
Can you believe you're a senior?
No, it went by so quick.I wish I could do it again.On one hand, it's nice to be done with school, but on the other hand, there's still so much more I want to accomplish in wrestling. It's been a tough, long four years, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
You're working at J Robinson's summer camps. They're well known for being extremely demanding...is it as equally intense for the staff?
It begins to become a grind. It makes for a long summer. Four practices a day along with staff meetings and rehab. It's a long day. We start at 6:40 in the morning and if you have bedcheck, you're working until 11:30 at night. It's a great experience and definitely helps you stay in shape.
When you're not working at camps, what else are you doing in the summer?
I fix up my houses and go fishing. I don't have another job, but I wish I did. I need the money. I try to pick up some extra technique camps with local high schools.
What are your goals for this season?
My goal has always been a national championship. I got one last chance to do it. Josh McLay will be one of five seniors on the Golden Gopher wrestling team in 2004-05. The Hastings, Minn., native has been a regular in the starting lineup for the past two seasons. This past year, he upset the top-seed at the Big Ten Championships and nearly upset eventual NCAA Champion Greg Jones of West Virginia. Gophersports.com recently caught up with Josh to see how his summer is going.
You made some noise at Big Tens and NCAAs, how much confidence does that give you entering your senior season?
It gave me something to look forward to. It shows me how close I am to being among the nation's best. It feels like I'm right there and I just have to push myself that extra step. It's been a hard grind these first four years, so I'm looking forward to this season.
Twenty-six of your 45 matches were decided by two points or less (14-12 record), how frustrating were those close defeats?
It was frustrating. I think it had a lot to do with the weight I was at. I think that will change if I can drop a weight. I injured my knee at Big Tens, so I'm just hoping I can get back to 100 percent by the time the season starts. That's my biggest concern right now. I have to decide whether to go to 165 or 174 so it should be pretty interesting.
Being a senior now and with Damion Hahn and Jacob Volkmann gone, do you expect to take on more of a leadership role?
It's a bit different now since I haven't done what they've done in their careers. I'm still learning like the rest of the guys. I'm not afraid to step up and take control or lead the guys in workouts. I feel like I'm ready to be a leader.
The program has seen some outstanding wrestlers graduate the past few years and this season, you have a great freshman class ready to contribute. What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
We're going to be a very young team so I think that just about anything can happen. Last year we went to Oklahoma State and beat them and I know we can compete with the best teams in the country this season. It will depend on how well our young guys make the transition from redshirting to being in the lineup. I believe we'll be top two or three in the nation when it's all said and done.
Can you believe you're a senior?
No, it went by so quick.I wish I could do it again.On one hand, it's nice to be done with school, but on the other hand, there's still so much more I want to accomplish in wrestling. It's been a tough, long four years, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
You're working at J Robinson's summer camps. They're well known for being extremely demanding...is it as equally intense for the staff?
It begins to become a grind. It makes for a long summer. Four practices a day along with staff meetings and rehab. It's a long day. We start at 6:40 in the morning and if you have bedcheck, you're working until 11:30 at night. It's a great experience and definitely helps you stay in shape.
When you're not working at camps, what else are you doing in the summer?
I fix up my houses and go fishing. I don't have another job, but I wish I did. I need the money. I try to pick up some extra technique camps with local high schools.
What are your goals for this season?
My goal has always been a national championship. I got one last chance to do it.
