BROOKINGS – South Dakota State head wrestling coach Damion Hahn announced Thursday the hiring of Cam Simaz as an assistant coach.
“I am thrilled to have Cam Simaz join the Jackrabbit wrestling coaching staff,” Hahn said. “I had the pleasure of coaching Cam during his successful collegiate career at Cornell and am keenly aware of his work ethic and leadership abilities. He possesses the qualities that fit the vision of the program and I know he will make an immediate impact.”
Simaz most recently served as director of the West Point Wrestling Club Regional Training Center and associate head coach of the United States Military Academy Preparatory School wrestling team. His USMAPS team completed an undefeated dual season during the 2017-18 campaign and won three open tournament titles. Three of his wrestlers went on to earn All-America honors at the National Collegiate Open.
Prior to his position at West Point, Simaz coached for two years with the Wildcat Wrestling Club in Evanston, Illinois, while also pursuing a business career in Chicago. He also gained coaching experience with the Finger Lakes Wrestling Club in Ithaca, New York, by serving as a regional training center coach.
“Cam has been very influential in the development of student-athletes at West Point and at his prior positions,” Hahn continued. “His experience with the Regional Training Center will greatly benefit our efforts of growing our RTC here at South Dakota State University.”
As a collegiate wrestler, Simaz earned All-America honors four times at Cornell, including winning a national title at 197 pounds as a senior in 2012 after runner-up finishes the previous two seasons. With Simaz in the lineup, the Big Red finished in the top five at the NCAA Championships all four seasons.
A native of Allegan, Michigan, Simaz earned first-team all-Ivy League honors four times, won four Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association individual titles and was a three-time all-academic selection. He was inducted into the EIWA Hall of Fame earlier this year and also is a member of the Michigan Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Photo from www.gojacks.com.
