Longtime U.S. standout Nick Simmons retires from wrestling

Nick Simmons at the 2011 World Championships. Photo: Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com.

After an exciting wrestling career spanning over 28 years, longtime U.S. standout Nick Simmons is retiring from the sport.


Simmons has been a member of the U.S. National Team in men’s freestyle for nearly a decade. His Team USA career culminated with a fifth place finish at the 2011 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey at 55 kg.


“The hardest part was saying you’re done. I’ve been competing for the last couple years, but I haven’t been training like I was. I think too highly of myself wrestling to just show up to compete,” said Simmons.


Simmons was runner-up at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 2012 and finished in third place in 2008.


One of his most memorable moments was a thrilling 3-0, 5-9, 5-2 victory over 2008 Olympic champion Henry Cejudo in the semifinals of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials at Carver Hawkeye Arena.


Currently the Associate Head Coach at Indiana University, Simmons has elected to turn his full attention to coaching and family.


“My goal now is to get IU back up in the mix nationally. We’ve got a good young team, so keep moving these kids along and recruiting the best young talent we can get,” said Simmons.


Simmons was a four-time NCAA All-American and three-time Big Ten champion for Michigan State University. He is second in all-time wins and first in all-time pins for the Spartans.


In 2007, Simmons was the first Michigan State wrestler to become a four-time All-American since Pat Milkovich achieved the feat in 1976. His Spartan career was one of the most successful in program history.


During his time at Michigan State, Simmons inspired the nickname “East Lansing Strangler” for his devastating moves on the mat, often resulting in falls.


Prior to college Simmons posted an impressive 211-0 record for Williamston High School earning 178 pins and four Michigan state championships along the way.


“I’ve been wrestling for 28 years. Some of the guys I’ve been wrestling since I was little. I think I’ve wrestled Hazewinkel 100 times now. I’ve been through battles and a pretty decent career. I just wanted to entertain and inspire young kids,” said Simmons.


Simmons was married to his wife, Nicole, in October of 2011 and the couple gave birth to a son, Ryder, in March of 2014.