Award-winning grappler speaks at Marysville High School

Students were given the opportunity to hear from one of the most decorated wrestlers inside MHS’ gymnasium Friday morning.

Rudis, a sports apparel company based in Marysville, quickly organized a live interview with Jordan Burroughs — an American wrestler who’s tallied numerous accolades and awards in the 79 kilogram weight class. 

Decorated wrestler Jordan Burroughs (left) speaks with Rudis co-founder Jesse Leng (right) at Marysville high school last Friday morning.

In his career, the New Jersey native has collected a total of six world championship titles along with being a three-time Pan American Games Gold medalist, four-time Pan American Champion, a 2012 Olympuc Gold Medalist and a four-time US Open national champion all in the freestyle discipline.

He has also holds many awards in the folkstyle category including being a two-time NCAA Division I national champion for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and was a Dan Hidge Trophy winner in 2012 — the award being equivalent to the Heisman Trophy, but for wrestling.

Speaking in front of a packed Marysville auditorium, Burroughs brought words of wisdom to athletes and coaches in attendance when it came to overcoming adversity along with insight into how he views the world.

The event was a first for one of The United States’ most accomplished athletes whose typically offered his words at wrestling camps throughout the years.

“I haven’t done a lot of assemblies with high school athletes,” Burroughs told The Marysville Journal-Tribune. “I like it because I feel like this is a very impressionable stage of life where it can determine how you live the rest of your life.”

The reigning world champion added that he hopes that athletes can make wise decisions when they move onto their next stages while making “wise decisions with counsel.”

Throughout the roughly 54-minute interview, Leng pondered Burroughs’ life as a youth wrestler and how he went about cultivating his discipline which led to a fruitful high school, collegiate and post-collegiate career.

Offering words of encouragement and guidance, Marysville’s Athletic Director Joey Day was thankful his student athletes had a chance to witness him speak.

“I think it’s really critical,” Day said. “Our coaches, parents, teachers and leaders always emphasis important leadership traits and how to live your life… but to hear from someone who’s been at the peak of the mountain for his sport and done things at a level not many have been able to accomplish, it hits a little bit differently.”

Some athletes in attendance were able to take away some life lessons from the wrestler including those who have never stepped foot on the wrestling mat. For student athletes like sophomore Sienna Hutchins, there was value in the things he said.

“Losing does not define you,” Hutchins said. “It’s how you come back from a loss, and how to use it as fuel.”

The softball player added that she also learned to “be vulnerable” when it comes to being at the top of a sport. 

“I think it’s special to me because I have four little ones at home,” Burroughs commented. “At some they will be impressionable and be in high school and have good friends and mentors.”

There were many wrestlers in attendance who sat front and center to one of the sport’s most known athletes. In Burroughs’ experience, he gained inspiration similarly after meeting Joe Williams — another award-winning American freestyle wrestler.

Reigning World Champion Jordan Burroughs speaks at Marysville High School in front of its student athlete population.

“I was a middle schooler, and he was incredible,” Burroughs recalled. “I saw him in magazines and I heard of him and when I got a chance to meet him, it kind of changed my perspective on what wrestlers really looked like and what success looked like… that was the first person that made me look at wrestling at the next level.”