FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Jeremy Rushing, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Feb. 4, 2013 - Consistent improvement is one thing that defines North Central College pole vaulter Josh Winder.  Over his three years as a Cardinal, Josh has increased his personal best by nearly two feet.  He also has added four NCAA Division III Championship appearances (indoor and outdoor combined), a CCIW individual championship, and an NCAA Division III individual national hampionship.  The physical education major has combined his athletic accolades with four Academic All-CCIW Awards as well.
               
After competing in only one meet as a freshman due to injury, Josh really stepped it up his sophomore season, clearing 16 feet, 9 1/2 inches indoors.  He placed second at the CCIW Championships and seventh at the NCAA Division III Championships, earning All-America honors in the process.  Outdoors, Josh cleared 17'1 1/2”, automatically qualifying for the NCAA Championships.  The Joliet native won the Individual title at the CCIW Championships and placed fourth at the NCAA Championships.
               
In his junior campaign, Josh cleared 17'4 1/2” indoors, claiming the individual national title at the NCAA Championships, earning himself All-America honors for the second straight year.  Outdoors, Josh also cleared 17'4 1/2”.  He placed third at both the CCIW Championships and the NCAA Championships. The four-time All-American currently ranks second nationally among all Division III vaulters this season with a clearance of 16'6 3/4".
 

When did you start getting involved with pole vaulting?
I've been messing around with it my whole life, but when I was in eighth grade my father introduced it to me.  I excelled at a pretty fast pace and just fell in love with the sport.

Your father, Tim Winder, is the pole vault coach here at North Central.  How do you think that's fueled your success?
My dad never pushed us into it.  He just kind of put it on the table and let us try it out.  He's a really motivational type of person and really helps us focus on objectives and goals. 

Have you competed in any other track and field events?
I was involved in the high jump, triple jump, and 400m in high school.  But that was usually only if someone got injured or if there was an open gap in a relay.
 
What other sports have you played competitively?
I played football and basketball in junior high.  When it came to pole vaulting in high school, that was the one thing I really wanted to do so the other sports just got pushed aside.

Your meet best is 17'4 1/2”.  Have you ever bested that in practice or while training?
Not really, I'd say those were the best jumps of my life.  With that being said, I expect to top that this year.

Do you have any rituals on meet days?
I try to eat light and drink a bunch of water.  I also try to focus on my three objectives: jump, push, and finish.  If I keep those in my mind throughout the day it usually turns out pretty well.

What was it like at Outdoor Nationals last season sharing the podium with your teammates Peter Garaghty and John Wood?
It was awesome, I've lived with those guys for the last three years.  It's been a great experience training with those guys, I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I also felt great for my dad because he puts in a lot of work.  I'm just glad the nation was finally able to recognize the work my dad has put in to the program and how much time he actually spends on the workouts and training.

Who are your biggest role models?
God, because He is the one that has made all of my success possible.  Also, my parents, my older brother Jake, and my younger brother Luke.  We all support and motivate each other to be the best we can be.  Finally, Michelle Branigan, my fiancee, because I have never seen anyone work harder toward a goal than she has.

What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Every single year at North Central I feel like I've grown physically, mentally, and spiritually.  I can truly say that this year I want to go in and just enjoy every single minute of it.  I don't have any huge product goals, I feel like if I just go into every practice and every meet and give 100 percent effort I'll get the outcome I really want.

What are your plans after graduation?
I'm engaged to Michelle, she's a Biochemistry major here at North Central.  My hope is to marry her as soon as possible (laughs).