New Approach Helps Simpson

Mike Simpson thought he had done everything he needed to be a dominant wrestler.

He had rigorously conditioned his body. He studied, practiced and mastered a variety of techniques. He learned how to watch opponents and discover their flaws.

But Simpson had one last lesson to learn: how to relax in big matches and not beat himself.

“A lot of times, I’d wrestle good to get to the finals [of a meet] and then I would have it in my head I couldn’t win,” Simpson said. “I would put too much pressure on myself.

“I’ve learned as long as I wrestle my best, I’m OK.”

That final piece of the puzzle fell into place during the 1998-99 season for Simpson, The Times Orange County wrestler of the year. The Brethren Christian junior won 62 of 64 matches and won the Southern Section Division I, section Masters and state 119-pound championships. He is Brethren Christian’s first state champion.

Simpson was part of a sturdy group of wrestlers at Brethren Christian. Steve Garcia won the 130-pound Division I and Masters titles. Anthony Rodriguez won the Division I 103-pound championship.

But Simpson was the Warriors’ inspiration and spirit.

“He became a leader,” said Warrior Coach Mark Cody, who has coached Simpson for three years. “It clicked in his mind that working hard would make him successful. He grasped how to work with teammates to help develop them.

“As a freshman, he was very rambunctious and outspoken. This year, even at 16, he became a man.”

Simpson won Division I titles at 103 pounds in 1997 and 1998. Next year he could join Riverside Notre Dame’s Marty Kister as a four-time Division I champion.