Andy Simmons selected to compete in the NWCA All-Star Classic

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(Michigan State Sports Information)
01/28/2004


EAST LANSING, Mich. - Andy Simmons, Michigan State's seventh-ranked wrestler at 141 pounds, has been invited to wrestle at the 38th annual National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic Monday, Feb. 2.     The 2004 NWCA All-Star Classic is hosted by Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, at the UNI-Dome. Simmons will face Northern Iowa's Dylan Long, the 2003 national runner-up at 141 pounds, for the second time this season.     The Williamston, Mich., native is 22-6 on the season, 5-2 in dual meets and 2-0 in Big Ten action. He faced UNI's Long at the Midlands Championships on Dec. 27, 2003, and pinned the 2003 NCAA runner-up in 5:08 en route to a fourth-place finish at 141. Long is a senior All-American and three-time NCAA qualifier.     "It is a terrific honor to be invited to the NWCA All-Star Classic, especially as a freshman," said MSU head coach Tom Minkel. "The All-Star is really one of the great wrestling matches of the year, and we know Andy will represent Michigan State well."     Michigan State hosted the prestigious NWCA All-Star Classic in February, 2000, at Jenison Field House. The Classic is designed for the mid-season No. 1 and No. 2 wrestlers in the nation at each weight to face each other. Simmons, ranked as high as seventh by thewrestlingmall.com and in the top 10 by all four polls will battle Long, who is ranked as high as seventh by Amateur Wrestling News and in the top 10 by all four polls.     Simmons, who is currently undefeated in Big Ten action, and the Spartans travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., to face UM Friday (Jan. 30) at Cliff Keen Arena.     Michigan State continues Big Ten action Sunday (Feb. 1) against Iowa in Iowa City. MSU returns to East Lansing and Jenison Field House Feb. 8 when the Spartans host Purdue at 1 p.m.