Andy Simmons Selected To Compete At NWCA All-Star Classic
11/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 14, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Senior Andy Simmons (Williamston, Mich.) has been selected to represent Michigan State at the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic held Monday, Nov. 20 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. Simmons, ranked second in the NWCA Poll, will wrestle in the 141-pound match against top-ranked Ryan Lang of Northwestern. The NWCA All-Star Classic begins at 8 p.m. ET.
Simmons and Lang have a long history. Simmons went 2-2 last season against Lang - he defeated him 8-2 for the Big Ten title, but fell 3-0 in the NCAA Championships. Both Lang and Simmons earned All-America honors, as Simmons took fifth and Lang claimed fourth. Lang topped Simmons to capture first place at last year's MSU Open, but Simmons returned the favor by pinning Lang in the regular-season dual. In 2004, Simmons defeated Lang by major decision, 15-6, in the Big Ten semifinals.
Simmons competed in the 2004 NWCA All-Star Classic, falling to Northern Iowa's Dylan Long, 8-2.
Simmons is currently 4-0 after winning all four of his matches at last weekend's Michigan State Open. Simmons claimed second at the event after an injury default took him out of the championship match.
Simmons and the 17th-ranked Spartans begin the dual-meet season Thursday, Nov. 16 at No. 2 Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla., at 8 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
