Though he had a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Orange Lutheran senior Josh Sim did not begin wrestling until his freshman year.
Now the four-year varsity wrestler competes in the 144-pound weight class and has had an incredible career on the mat for the Lancers. Sim is drawn to the sport for the way it creates discipline in his life and helps him achieve his goals.
"The biggest thing is that I want to be able to accomplish something, and I think wrestling helps a lot with that," says Sim. "I've been able to develop my character and develop my mentality with everything in life."
Sim has some big goals in mind for his final season with OLu, including earning a spot in the CIF State Wrestling Championships and helping to lead his team to a CIF title.
As a captain, Sim leads by example, emphasizing accountability, camaraderie and skill development to help his teammates reach their goals. His time as a Lancer has left a lasting legacy on the program.
"Josh Sim has been one of the most elite competitors to ever come through our program," says OLu wrestling head coach Heber Castillo. "From his freshman year to his senior year, he consistently led by example. A two-time CIF placer, summer All-American and three-year team captain, Josh's legacy is cemented as one of the best to ever wrestle for us. I am incredibly proud of Josh. He pushed himself relentlessly in this sport, and because of that, life will be easier for him moving forward. Wrestling didn't just shape his career—it shaped who he is. Success is inevitable for Josh's future."
A physically demanding sport, wrestling often comes with its share of injuries, and navigating the mental difficulties that come with being sidelined has been Sim's biggest challenge. But the 18-year old has also learned from his time on the mat what it means to work hard and stay humble.
"There's always someone who's better than you in wrestling, so if you're not humble, someone's going to humble you," says Sim. "The other big thing is my work ethic. It takes a lot out of you to consistently wake up every morning and know you're going to have a hard practice."
When he's not training or competing, Sim serves the Lancer community as co-president of Rooted, a program that celebrates cultural identity and empowers students to engage campus culture, build self-advocacy and create change.
"It's always great to have other ethnicities find a voice within the community," says Sim. "I think that was something I was looking for originally coming into high school. But since then, I've tried to help other ethnicities and racial groups find their voices as well, especially with Rooted."
Sim's faith is central to being a student athlete, and he is committed to living all aspects of his life as a follower of Christ.
"The way I wrestle and the way I act on and off the mat should represent Christ," says Sim. "I pray to God a lot… especially if I'm going through something that's mentally or physically tough. I think it's just really important that you build a relationship with God, especially as an athlete."
Sim's success in the sport has earned him the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level as he has committed to wrestle at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in New York. There he plans to study marine systems engineering or maritime logistics before serving our country.
Sim credits the Coach Heber and the OLu wrestling coaching staff for helping him grow not only as a wrestler, but as a person. And he is grateful for his parents and their commitment to his education and his sport.
"My coaches, they've done a lot for me, so they're my biggest inspirations," says Sim. "Also my mom and dad because they work really hard for me to be able to go to OLu and wrestle. They're always there to support me."
