Bill Simpson
William "Elbows" Simpson, who excited Clarion's wrestling crowds from 1971-74 with his wrestling prowess, put together an outstanding grappling career with the Golden Eagles.
"Elbows" won four individual Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference titles from 1971-74, including two at 167 pounds (1971, 1974) and two at 177 pounds (1972-73). In 1973 he won two individual national championships, including a College Division title and a NCAA Division I championship at 167 pounds. In 1974 he earned All-America status with a fifth place finish at 167 pounds at the national tournament.
Simpson compiled a career record of 121-21-2, including his best record in 1973 of 39-2, as well as a 40-4-2 record as a senior in 1974. Simpson collected 61 career pins, including 29 his senior year. In one stretch he recorded 43 straight wins, and Simpson's fastest pin of any opponent came in 25 seconds in 1974.
Simpson helped Clarion to a combined dual meet record of 61-10 over his career. The Golden Eagles captured three PSAC team titles and their highest finishes at the NCAA Championships, including a fourth-place finish in 1973 and sixth-place in 1972.
The Bethesda, Maryland native and Maryland state wrestling champ out of Gaithersburg High School graduated from Clarion in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.
All American Awards:
Season
1974
|
School
Clarion
|
Tournament
Division I
|
Weight
167
|
Place
5
|
Season
1973
|
School
Clarion
|
Tournament
Division I
|
Weight
167
|
Place
1
|
Season
1973
|
School
Clarion
|
Tournament
Division II
|
Weight
167
|
Place
1
|
Season
1972
|
School
Clarion
|
Tournament
Division II
|
Weight
167
|
Place
6
|
College Season Records:
Season
1974
|
School
Clarion
|
Class
Senior
|
Bouts
46
|
Wins
40
|
Losses
4
|
Ties
2
|
Falls
29
|
Win PCT.
86.96
|
Place
5th
|
Season
1973
|
School
Clarion
|
Class
Junior
|
Bouts
41
|
Wins
39
|
Losses
2
|
Ties
0
|
Falls
19
|
Win PCT.
95.12
|
Place
1st
|
Season
1971
|
School
Clarion
|
Class
Freshman
|
Bouts
0
|
Wins
0
|
Losses
0
|
Ties
0
|
Falls
0
|
Win PCT.
0
|
Place
DNP
|
Season
Career
|
Bouts
87
|
Wins
79
|
Losses
6
|
Ties
2
|
Falls
48
|
Win PCT.
90.8
|