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Northern Iowa’s Jared Simma stuns at NCAA Wrestling Championships
Northern Iowa’s Jared Simma, seeded No. 28, defied expectations at the NCAA Wrestling Championships by reaching the quarterfinals. Despite facing doubts from Twitter critics, Simma dominated his opponents, showcasing his offensive skills and determination. Coach Doug Schwab praised his performance and highlighted his progress leading up to the championship. Simma credits his success to intense training sessions with top-notch practice partners. As he prepares for his next challenge against Michigan’s Shane Griffith, Simma remains focused and ready to silence his doubters. With his impressive run, Simma is proving that seed numbers mean nothing when it comes to his abilities on the mat.
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KANSAS CITY — It’s March 12 in Cedar Falls, and Northern Iowa 174-pound sophomore Jared Simma is feeling the pressure.
He didn’t secure an automatic bid for the NCAA Wrestling Championships due to a seventh-place finish at the Big 12 Championships. He was one spot away from ensuring he’d head down to his roots of Kansas City − he grew up just a few miles down the road in Shawnee, Kan.
He narrowly got in as the No. 28 seed, much to the relief of Simma, the coaching staff and his family. With low expectations coming into this tournament, he set out a goal to “make an impression” in his hometown.
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“Twitter wasn’t a big fan of me when the at-larges came out, a lot of people complained that I got it,” Simma said. “I just wanted to give them double middle fingers and tell them to keep it moving. I belong here and I’m going to show it.”
He certainly did that Thursday, reaching the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championships with wins over No. 5 Philip Conigliaro of Harvard and No. 21 Tyler Eischens of North Carolina. He is the lowest remaining seed in the championship bracket, with Navy’s David Key (No. 25) and Minnesota’s Vince Vombaur (No. 26) the only other quarterfinalists seeded 20th or higher.
“That certainly was high for our team and him,” coach Doug Schwab said. “Gotta be ready to scrap (Friday).”
Maybe we should have seen this coming. Simma won five of his last six coming into the postseason, and Schwab liked his progress coming into March. His style on offense, winning scrambles and getting guys on their backs for near-fall points, puts him in a spot to beat anybody. He showcased that skill against Conigliaro, getting four back points and a reversal earned by spinning and rotating on top.
Simma credits that ability to his work with assistant Lee Roper in those positions in the USA Mat Club this season. It doesn’t hurt that one of his main practice partners is among the best wresters in the country (Parker Keckeisen). You can see how he’s putting this run together.
Simma doesn’t think the competition he faces in tournaments can be any tougher than what he gets in his own practice room.
“You learn to take a butt-beating, that’s for sure,” Simma joked.
That work put him in position to be one of the biggest surprises of the NCAAs on Thursday. Though it wasn’t a surprise to Keckeisen.
“He’s got some of the best skills in the room,” Keckeisen said. “You see that every day in the room. You see the skills, he has the potential and it’s awesome. He’s in front of his home crowd and he’s putting on a show.”
Simma has had to turn on the “do not disturb” setting on his phone, with family members, former teammates and others blowing up his phone since the day he got an at-large bid. The calls and text kept coming after Thursday’s standout performance.
Simma next faces his toughest test yet with Michigan’s Shane Griffith, a former national champion at 165 pounds. Still, the UNI wrestler is undeterred and ready to give those hecklers on Twitter a reason to walk back their complaints.
“Just because No. 28 is next to my name, it means nothing,” Simma said.
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
Related Story.
Northern Iowa’s Jared Simma has been making waves at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, defying expectations and proving his worth on the mat. Despite being seeded No. 28, Simma has fought his way to the quarterfinals, showcasing his skills and determination along the way.
Simma’s journey to the NCAA Championships was not an easy one. After securing his spot as an at-large bid, he faced criticism and doubt from many in the wrestling community. However, Simma remained focused on his goal of making an impression at the tournament, especially in front of his hometown crowd in Kansas City.
With wins over top-seeded opponents like Philip Conigliaro of Harvard and Tyler Eischens of North Carolina, Simma has proven that he belongs among the best in the sport. His coach, Doug Schwab, praised his performance and emphasized the need to stay focused and ready for the next match.
Simma’s success can be attributed to his hard work and dedication in the practice room. Training with top-notch partners like Parker Keckeisen has helped him hone his skills and prepare for tough competition. Simma’s ability to win scrambles and earn near-fall points has set him apart from his opponents.
Despite facing a formidable opponent in Michigan’s Shane Griffith in the quarterfinals, Simma remains confident and determined to continue his impressive run at the championships. With the support of his family, teammates, and fans, Simma is ready to show the wrestling world what he is capable of.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Simma as he looks to defy the odds and make a name for himself on the national stage. His inspiring journey serves as a reminder that hard work and perseverance can lead to success in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, Jared Simma’s performance at the NCAA Wrestling Championships has been nothing short of remarkable. His determination, skill, and unwavering belief in himself have propelled him to the quarterfinals and beyond. As he continues to defy expectations and prove his critics wrong, Simma stands as a shining example of the resilience and talent that define the sport of wrestling.
For more updates on Jared Simma and the NCAA Wrestling Championships, be sure to follow Eli McKown on Twitter and stay tuned for more exciting matches ahead.
