Wrestling
- Title:
- Director of Operations
Nick Simmons begins his third season with the wrestling program as Director of Operations.
Simmons is the United States' highest ranked wrestler in the freestyle ranks at 55kg. Most recently, in mid-September, he traveled to Istanbul, Turkey and finished fifth at the World Championships, cementing the U.S.' position in the weight class at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.
He found success at the 2009 U.S. Nationals, taking the 55 kilogram title. He was named a U.S. Olympic alternate in 2008. He has a Pan American title and two University Nationals titles under his belt, being named Outstanding Wrestler and earning the Most Falls award in the same year. Simmons placed second at the 2007 U.S. Nationals and third at the 2005 World Team Trials. Simmons placed fifth at the 2003-04 Olympic Trials.
Simmons had one of the most successful careers in Michigan State history, finishing with 138 wins, good for second career wins all-time, adding four All-America honors. Simmons was a three-time Big Ten champion, as well as a three-time Midlands Championships champion. His 46 career falls is a school record, and he was named the 2005 Michigan State Male Athlete of the Year.
His success on the mat started early with Simmons posting a perfect 211-0 prep record, earning four MHSAA state titles.
He racked up 208 wins by fall or technical fall, including 157 consecutive falls and setting a national record for falls in a single season with 57. He finished his career with two Asics High School First Team All-America accolades and three U.S. Junior Nationals Freestyle titles, making the finals four years. He was named the 1999 Jr. Schalles Award, given to the nation's best pinner.
Simmons is from Williamston, Mich., and graduated from Michigan State in 2007 with a degree in Human Resource Social Science.
He and his wife, Nicole, were married in October 2011.
