Nick Simmons, a senior at Michigan State, had a choice this morning. It was the last day of his college wrestling career, and he had to decide how to finish the final chapter of the story.

Wrestling fans know that the Saturday morning session at the NCAA Championships is an interesting round, where pride is the key. All of the men on the mats are All-Americans. None will be champions or runners-up. Each battle is for the title of consolation champion, or bronze medalist, or third-place finisher. It is a two-match mini-tournament, and only the mentally toughest survive.

Last night, Nick Simmons had one of the most disappointing nights of his life. He entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed, but was upset in the semifinals by No. 4 Coleman Scott of Oklahoma State, 4-3. He had to go on today, regardless. Yet, he really couldn't let that loss go today.

"It was disappointing big time. That is all I can say," said Simmons. "I am still so angry about yesterday. I got caught early with those four points (against Scott). That is a lot of points. It was a dogfight. I did what I could to come back."

If anybody deserved a chance to go out on top, it was Simmons. His record has been exceptional, an impressive 133-9 coming into the tournament. He is the first Spartan to be a four-time All-American since 1976. He has won three Big Ten titles, set the school's pin record and is second in Michigan State history with career victories. 

He even had achieved great things in international freestyle in the spring and summer, earning a spot on the National Freestyle Team two seasons ago and making a number of U.S. age-group World Teams.

Simmons is also a Williamstown, Mich. native, perhaps the greatest prep star in state history, with a 211-0 career record, featuring 178 pins and four state titles. Winning the NCAAs in his home state in his final college event was the kind of legacy that would have seemed fitting for him. 

Simmons of Michigan State, a four-time All-American and a local star, had an opportunity to wrestle back and finish up with victories. His chance to celebrate on the center stage in the finals had already gone away.

"I took it one match at a time. I wanted to come out on top today. I felt today is the best I wrestled all week. I wanted to come back and take third," said Simmons.



Simmons totally controlled his consolation semifinal match against No. 8 seed Tyler McCormick of Missouri. He turned McCormack to his back in the first period and almost had pinned, holding him most of the period. He cruised to a 9-0 victory, capturing his 137th career college victory and a chance at the bronze medal.

He faced No. 5 Matt Keller of UT-Chattanooga, who he had not wrestled this year. Simmons dominated the bout from the opening whistle. He jumped to a 5-0 lead, added a second period takedown for a 7-0 margin, then tacked on a staggering 5:33 in riding time to win his final college match with an 8-0 major decision.

"It was extremely tough to see Nick come up a little short of his goals," said Michigan State head coach Tom Minkel. "Nick is a classy young man. He gave his best effort, as he has in every match in college. I am proud of how he wrestle, how he conducted himself. I am especially proud of how he dusted himself off and placed third."

The main topic of discussion after his final victory was his loss the night before. It seemed to be foremost on everybody's mind.

"I tried to forget about it the best I can. It hits me after each match a little, like right now. I had to feel how to let go of it for the seven minutes," said Simmons.

When asked if he was relieved that his college career has finally ended, Simmons couldn't say for sure.

"Yes and No," said Simmons. "I'd like to another shot to get into this. But I will go on. Hopefully, you will see me make Olympic and World Teams."

It might take some time for Simmons to be able to step back and look at his college career at Michigan State a little more objectively.

"It was a good experience, as long as my brother is there. We were there for each other. But on the mat, I didn't get what I wanted to, I guess. I will have to do it at the next level," he said. 

Minkel was proud to talk about Simmons, who along with his brother Andy, another graduating senior, had been the most prominent Spartan wrestler of his generation.

"Nick is a colorful young man, not only as a person but as a wrestler," said Minkel. "He has been good for Michigan State wrestling, but also for wrestling overall. He is unorthodox, exciting to watch, with unconventional moves. Whether you love him or hate him as a fan, he brings excitement to the sport."

Adding to Simmons' distress was the fact that his brother Andy, who was seeded No. 8 at 141 pouonds but entered the tournament injured. He was defeated in the second round by injury default to NC State's Darrion Caldwell, and could not continue in the tournament. Andy had to stand on the sidelines, holding a crutch, rather than end his career on the mat like his brother.

"They are very close," said Minkel of the Simmons brothers. "They don't work out together. It is a shared experience for them. When they do well, they share it. When one suffers a defeat or injury, they share it. Andy's loss was nearly as painful for Nick as it was for Andy."

What's next is Simmons run at international freestyle wrestling, something that Minkel, a former Olympic Greco-Roman head coach, thinks he can do very well.

"To compete at the highest level, the Olympic level, you need talent. He has talent. You have to have commitment. You have to have a work ethic. He has all of these things. He has always been commited to the next level. He loves to wrestle, loves to compete. He has the ingredients to be successful at the Olympic level," said Minkel.