Clarion Athletics

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 PSAC 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, Md. native and Maryland State wrestling champ out of Gaithersburg High graduated from Clarion in 1974 with a B.S.
degree in Elementary Education.