FINISHING ON TOP

Judging by Michael Simpson’s expression after his semifinal match at the Masters tournament last month, you would have thought he lost his match against Irvine High’s Robert Antenore.

But it wasn’t a loss that had the Brethren Christian wrestler concerned. It was the fact he was taken down in the match.

Simpson beat Antenore, 17-6. But still he frowned.

“I didn’t think Antenore got the takedown,” Simpson said. “The call was iffy. But what can you do?”

Anybody who has wrestled the 125-pounder can testify that this is vintage Simpson.

A four-time Southern Section Division I champion, Simpson has two state titles and is the Times’ Orange County Wrestler of the Year.

Simpson had a record of 50-0 this season and was 220-19 in his high school career. In four years, he was taken down three times.

“He’s an outstanding athlete,” Brethren Christian Coach Mark Cody said. “He’s the kind of guy who is good in all sports. And on the mat, he’s so quick to react and his technique is so good, it’s virtually impossible to take him down. And he takes pride in that.”

With opponents focusing on him for the past two years, Simpson never backed down.

At the state finals three weeks ago, Simpson defeated Steve Esparza of Calvary Chapel, 3-1, to win his second consecutive title. He also won titles at Five Counties, the El Dorado tournament, the Reno Tournament of Champions, Masters and the Gilroy California Classic.

“There’s a lot of pressure on you when everybody is out to get you,” Simpson said. “But that only makes me a better wrestler. And that has always been my ultimate goal.”

Simpson will be going to Arizona State on a full scholarship, which is rare in college wrestling these days.

Simpson is grateful for Arizona State’s confidence. But he figures he’ll pay the school back with an NCAA title.

“I’d put money on it . . . that he’ll win an NCAA title. That’s the kind of person he is,” Cody said. “He’s very committed to this sport and has become a student of the game.”

It wasn’t always like that.

In his freshman year, Simpson was known to have tantrums when things didn’t go his way during a match.

“I was immature back then,” he said. “But I think I’ve grown and developed and have made the commitment to the sport.”

Indeed, in the past two years, Simpson has chosen to become a year-round wrestler.

“He watches videos of his opponents. He’s always working on the mat, wrestling his teammates. He’s entering tournaments year-round. He’s doing what it takes to take his wrestling to a higher level,” Cody said.

The way Simpson sees it, if you want to be the best, you have to put in the time--and the hard work.

“I’m done with high school wrestling, and now I’m moving on to the next level,” Simpson said.

“College is not high school. There are a lot of great wrestlers. But I know I can do well. I have my dreams.”