DES MOINES, Iowa — Overcoming the odds has become the norm for Kendric Birden.
“I grew up in a wrestling family, Birden told Local 5. "My father, he wrestled in high school and college. But my grandma wouldn't let me."
Birden was born with arthrogryposis, a congenital joint contracture in two or more areas of the body. But his drive to compete meant the Des Moines native didn’t exactly like taking “no” for an answer.
“I went to Hoover [High School]… my coach at the time, he wouldn't let me compete," Birden said. "My whole freshman year, I couldn't compete because the school was scared.”
The following year, a new coach changed everything. Mark Johnson, who made history as Hoover's first state champion wrestler, pushed him to wrestle when no one else would.
"That's when wrestling kind of like, just changed my life," he said.
Over two decades later, Birden has now trained some of the best wrestlers in the Des Moines metro. He even started his own club for aspiring athletes, called Doomsday Wrestling Club.
His current mission: to be the coach that changes everything for the next generation.
Female wrestlers from Des Moines Public Schools' five high schools now compete on the same district-wide team. This season, Birden will lead the charge, eager to pin down an opportunity he’s relentlessly pursued.
After facing rejection several times before landing the DMPS job, Birden said, “I feel like I'm just as good as everyone else, just as good. So like, I was tired of working behind people. I wanted that head coaching job."
Even with the setbacks, he never doubted that his focus would always be on his athletes.
Birden has finally accomplished his life-long goal, but some challenges do lie ahead. He says funding and resources for the program are limited.
A new wrestling room is being built for the girls program DMPS' Central Campus. With little competition gear for his athletes, the team is seeking corporate sponsors before the season begins.
“A lot of people don't know that these girls have been working since February," Birden said. "We're about to shock the whole state of Iowa."
Local businesses or corporations interested in sponsoring the DMPS girls wrestling team can learn more here.