PENN STATE WRESTLING: WHY JOSH BARR LIKES GETTING TIRED
Penn State wrestling standout Josh Barr is making waves in the 197-pound weight class, and one of his key secrets to success is his ability to embrace fatigue. Despite being a redshirt freshman, Barr has quickly become a force to be reckoned with, boasting a 16-1 record this season. But what sets him apart isn’t just his technical skill or raw strength—it’s his unique mindset when it comes to conditioning and the physical grind of the sport.
Barr has consistently demonstrated his ability to outlast opponents, especially in the later stages of matches. His conditioning is so finely tuned that he thrives when the pace picks up and others start to tire. In fact, Barr actually enjoys the challenge of wrestling when he’s exhausted. “I like getting tired because it shows me that I’m pushing myself,” Barr explained. “It’s a test of mental toughness and a chance to show I can keep going when most others can’t.”
This relentless work ethic has paid off in a big way, especially during high-intensity matches. In one of his standout performances, Barr overwhelmed Rutgers’ Josh Poznanski, scoring seven consecutive takedowns in the third period and winning by a 22-6 technical fall. Against Nebraska’s Camden McDanel, Barr executed five third-period takedowns to win 19-4, demonstrating his unmatched endurance and ability to finish strong when others are fading.
Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson has credited Barr’s success to the rigorous conditioning program the team follows. “Our training is designed to push wrestlers to the limit, and Josh has embraced it,” Sanderson said. “He thrives in tough situations and uses fatigue as a tool to break opponents mentally and physically.”
