MISHAWAKA — The Mishawaka wrestling team is zeroing-in on defending their team state title this weekend. Come heck or high water, Josh Harper is gonna be there to help the cause.

In a career that has seen over 170 victories, Mishawaka senior Josh Harper really just wants one thing — to get one more for his team in the State Finals.

Problem is, a torn labrum in his shoulder might prevent him from shouldering the load.

"I gotta suck it up and come through like I always do," Harper told WSBT Sports.

"Fifty percent of Josh Harper is better than most any other starters," said Coach Darrick Snyder.

Injury or not, Harper has cemented his place at the school. Harper is being called the best of the bunch.

"Absolutely. There's no doubt he's the best to ever come through here, and that's saying a lot. I'd even argue he's the best the area has ever produced, and it might not even be close," said Snyder.

Harper simply was impacted by his surroundings.

"When I grew up, I saw Alex Dolly tech a guy 30-15, and I said I wanna be like that. Now that I'm grown up, it's kind of surreal," Harper remembered.

The A/B student who will wrestle at Michigan State next year also realizes the importance of having more than one move.

"You could go to school, wrestle and be a dumb jock. But grades are huge. School makes it more interesting," admitted Harper.

And at the very least, Harper will try to make things interesting at this weekend's season finale, bum wing or not he'll show up at the Center Grove mat.

"I wouldn't think otherwise; it really never crossed my mind."

Congratulations to Josh Harper, this week's Burger King Outstanding Student Athlete!