Ranked No. 3 in the state at 215 pounds by the Maryland State Wrestling Association, Severna Park junior Billy Nichols was a state runner-up at 171 pounds and had a 21-4 record last season on the Falcons' regional championship team. Only Georgetown Prep's Chance Gaffney is ahead of Nichols in the state rankings.
Also a starting defensive end on the Falcons' football team, Nichols is strong, athletic and focused. Nichols has a 3.2 grade point average and is undecided on a college.
How was the transition from 171 pounds to 215 this season?
It's a different style of wrestling at 215 pounds, and really being athletic helps a lot with wrestling the bigger guys, because they are slower. It's a bit of a tough change, but I've gotten used to it.
What do you mean by a different style?
Well, at 171 the guys wrestle a lot quicker and usually they use more moves and things. At 215 [it's] more strength and power.
How is the Falcons squad under coach Paul Joyce this year?
We started off pretty bad, had a few injuries and a couple guys didn't come out and we have a few new, young guys. But I think we are getting better as the season goes on. We're working hard.
What's the county league like this year after the team took second place and went 10-4 overall last season?
The county is tough. Our county is one of the toughest counties around, and the region is stacked. One of the top teams in the state, Stephen Decatur [Worcester County] moved into our region this season. So, it's going to be pretty tough for everybody to make it to the states.
Which do you like the best, wrestling or football?
I actually like football better, but I've been wrestling my whole life and I train seven days a week for it. That's what I plan to do in college. I started when I was 5 years old and living down by Chesapeake High with Chesapeake Youth Wrestling.
What about football?
I was 10 years old when I started playing for the Rebels in Glen Burnie. My whole life, it's been football and wrestling. I moved to Severna Park last year and attended Archbishop Spalding before going to Severna Park. I played both sports at Spalding. My dad also played football and wrestled at Queen Anne's High School.
So what are your future plans?
I hope to go to college and wrestle. Hopefully, I can get a scholarship and major in physical therapy. A few family friends do that and have practices, and it seems interesting to me.