Billy George answered some questions about his time as a member of Big Red Wrestling, What was your favorite memory with the team these past 4 years?
When cam Simaz won NCAA's I cried tears of joy like a little baby. This was my freshman year at Cornell and the year I gave my greatest contribution to the team in terms of traveling and matches wrestled. Cam and I were in many of the same classes together that semester and we had the national champion heart to heart many times while up late studying. I have to include that he beat me so bad so many times that year. I knew that if I fought every second when he kicked my tail he would get better. Before his match had started in the final, Bosak had just won and Lacy was crying saying "it couldn't happen to a better guy" so naturally I started getting even more nervous and emotional than I already was for Cam because I knew how bad he wanted it. Two of our other teammates had already won, including Kyle. I have never seen someone work so hard for something. And then the match was a tightly contested and nothing came easy for either wrestler, but ultimately Cam's gas tank would again prevail for him. I got all choked up it just was one of those many team moments I'll never forget.
What was the highlight of your senior season?
Winning a tournament again on campus this year was really fun, I won four tournaments while I was here so I definitely had little goals throughout my career. I always make "TO DO" lists on sundays and it always felt really good to get to put a check on the To Do List for the section "Win Tournament" check.
What will you miss the most?
I'll miss coming into practice and scrapping it out with the boys. Practice is totally different from matches, people say they "hate practice and only wrestle for the matches," but I don't really agree in my old age. I enjoy helping my teammates get better and thats one thing I will definitely take from wrestling and use in the rest of my life. The things that people don't see are the most telling, and all those afternoons in the room with just the coaches and the kids in our own environment, in our own little microcosm of society, that is what has come to define my experience here with Cornell Wrestling and there is no question I'll reminisce about practice and matches and dream about it.
Looking back, what advice would you give to younger wrestlers?
Be positive, and never ever ever ever give up. There is no such thing as Übermensch (German for "Overman, Over-human, Above-Human, Superman, Super-human, Ultrahuman, Higher-Person, Higher-Being"; is a concept in the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche). "Every single day, in every walk of life, ordinary people do extraordinary things." - Coach Jim Valvano All of you are capable and can do these extraordinary things, but you have to expect them to happen, you need to plan for the future accordingly, new goals and motivations every day.
What are your plans for the future?
I am going to take care of my personal well being. I am getting real amped to lifeguard this summer, and compete locally and nationally. Through the Food-corps and the Development Sociology department at Cornell I have lined up a Non-Profit Job in Hawaii to help build a Sustainable Future for the Island of Molokai one that keeps the Aloha spirit as the main goal. If you interested in sustainability, sustainable agriculture, sustainable markets, getting barreled, or visiting the island of Molokai you should follow the foundation link. But I also know I should get my Real Estate License ASAP so I can go to work with my mother, she could really use some extra hands to keep up with demand. Love ya Mom, thanks for paying off so much of my school one house at a time while being full time mom, I am in your and Dad's debt for ever you guys gave me the greatest gift someone could be given with this education. I also am going to be taking the LSAT this fall and my uncles been asking me for my resume, but I been putting it off so yeah, I need to grow up really. You know get a job, or pick one career path, I don't know if I can leave Jersey any longer though. The future is TBD, but I see lots of waves, fish, and sunshine.
