Senior wrestler Nick Simmons has accomplished nearly everything in college wrestling during his four years as a Spartan.
But while the Williamston native has piled up All-American acknowledgments and Big Ten titles, he has yet to reach the pinnacle of college wrestling — winning a national championship.
Simmons moved one step closer to reaching that summit last weekend by winning his third individual title at the Big Ten Championships held at Breslin Center.
Top-seeded Simmons defeated Indiana's No. 6-seed Andrae Hernandez, 6-4, in the 133-pound bracket final, raising his season record to 34-1 entering this weekend's national championships.
The win came one match after Hernandez toppled Illinois freshman James Kennedy, the bracket's second seed.
Simmons' individual conference title is his first in the 133-pound weight class — his two previous titles were both in the 125-pound weight class.
The finals victory was a homecoming for the senior, who became the sixth Spartans wrestler to win three individual titles.
"It felt real good to get this win at home," he said in a written statement.
"Not many get a chance to wrestle for a Big Ten Championship at home, so it was a lot of fun."
Now that Simmons has clinched the conference title, he will focus on pursuing his first national title after finishing fourth the past two years in the 125-pound class.
This year, the All-American has the advantage of traveling a short distance down the road from East Lansing for the NCAA national championships, which are being held at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
But even though the event is being held in-state, Simmons said he will be all business leading up to this weekend.
"Now, my focus is on the NCAA Championships," he said.
"My goal is to work hard the next two weeks and prepare for nationals."
Simmons' brother Andy, a senior in the 141-pound bracket, is the only other Spartan who will hit the mat this weekend at the NCAA Championships.
Third-seeded Andy Simmons placed fourth in his weight class at the Big Ten Championships, which was enough to earn him a spot at the national finals.
The Simmons brothers will be seeded in the nationals bracket today.
