MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Matt Simpson discovered his love of wrestling in Florida.
“I first started wrestling in the sixth grade in Spring Hill, Fla.,” he said. “My best friend, Ethan Basile, introduced my brother and I to this amazing sport, and from sixth grade on, my brother Jacob and I thought of wrestling as a lifestyle rather than a sport.
“We didn’t just seek success by being talented or athletic, but by devoting as much time as possible to this sport. My brother and I from the start worked extremely hard for what we had. For example, we would run from our middle school to our club, which was located at the time at Springstead High School. From there, we would practice with the high school kids, and then shortly after, get ready for our club practice. Secondly, we had a tremendous coach who is now a father-figure in our lives, Sal Basile. Without his guidance, we wouldn’t be the people we are today.”
He is a 2019 graduate of University High.
Simpson is currently a sophomore at West Liberty University, something he is excited about.
“My freshman year went fast,” he said. “Just like that, I’m a sophomore. I am so thrilled to get back on the wrestling mat for West Liberty. This year’s team has so much potential and will be a powerhouse team as we search for a national title in Alabama this year.”
Simpson has a special memory from his freshman season.
“My greatest college memory from wrestling so far is watching my brother win matches, as well as jump so many levels in his wrestling,” he said.
As a Hawk, Simpson was named the West Virginia state runner-up, a regional champion and a National West Virginia Team member. He was a part of the West Virginia all-state team.
“The things I achieved in high school to me were just a stepping stone for myself, I don’t like to dwell on any achievements or accolades I may have,” he said.
Matt is not the only Simpson on the West Liberty wrestling team. He is the twin brother of fellow sophomore, Jacob.
“Being a twin is unique,” Matt said. “It brings its challenges, like having to deal with his problems and him getting on my nerves on purpose, but for the most part, being a twin helps me preserver in many different challenges in life. My twin brother is always gonna be there for me and will always push me to be a better wrestler, as well as person, so it definitely has its perks. As well as always having someone to practice with or even go on a run with. Being a twin allows us to compete extremely hard to beat one another in anything whether that be sports, games or even to see who could have a better dorm room setup.
“My brother and I are extremely competitive in the wrestling room resulting in lots of fist fights if one is getting the better of another.”
Simpson said he enjoys having his brother on the same college team.
“Having my brother on the wrestling team means the world to me,” he said. “He’s always someone I can go to for help and always someone I can rely on in tough situations that this sport presents. He’s always someone I can go to even in the strangest of times, there have been times where it’s been 12:00 at night and he’s been like, ‘Wanna get a workout in?’ And I’m always up for it.”
Simpson feels the transition from high school to college went well.
“The transition from high school to college wrestling was fairly easy, due to the fact that I have such a great coaching staff as well as a great mentality,” he said. “I had to be like a sponge, soaking up as much information as I could, as well as being coachable. I also pushed myself in every situation I was presented with … This is what made my transition from high school to college wrestling a smooth transition.”
Simpson chose to attend West Liberty for several reasons.
“What made me choose West Liberty, I enjoyed the look at the campus, as well as small class sizes for individual attention,” he said. “Also, when I was taking a visit, I visited the wrestling room and saw two guys working out. One guy, who would become a great friend of mine, Darius Bunch. Seeing these two guys working out really sealed the deal for me as it was like this is a team who wants to get better.”
Simpson is majoring in sports and rec and wellness.
“Later down the road in life, I would like to become a wrestling coach to give back to this sport that gave so much to me.”
In his spare time, Simpson enjoys fishing.
“In my free time, I like to fish with my brother, wading the creeks for smallmouth bass, as well as anything else that will bite.”
He is the son of Deirdre Simpson. He has three other siblings, Heather, Levi and Daniel.
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