FAIRMONT — It’s often been said that when faced with a tough decision, the best results come when you ultimately decide to go with your gut.
For Fairmont Senior High wrestling star Bryce Nichols, that gut feeling has now led him to the next phase of his athletic and academic career.
Nichols, who finished his 2024-25 campaign as a state runner-up for the second year in a row in his weight class, will now look ahead to the beginning of his collegiate career after signing with Glenville State University.
During his time as a Polar Bear, the senior standout punched in an overall record of 135-29 and cemented his name in the Fairmont Senior High history books as part of the all-time wins list as a member of the wrestling team.
While deciding where to continue his wrestling career was often a tough task, Nichols said that becoming part of the Pioneers’ program felt like the best option when considering all aspects of his future.
“The college is really known for success, and I felt like that would be the best place for me to go and continue my career,” Nichols said. “It felt like the place where I could become the best wrestler I can be. The drive also isn’t too far out of the way, and it’s something I can do in one trip. It still feels like home, but it’s a distance away to where it feels like you’re away from home too.”
Nichols said that his final two choices were between staying closer to home and attending Fairmont State, or venturing out a little farther and having the best opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. In the end, choosing Glenville State felt like the smarter choice.
“I just felt like it would be the best place for me to grow and excel as an athlete and as a student,” Nichols said. “I can become just an all around good person there and it just felt right to me.”
In the 2025 season, the Pioneers finished with a 19-6 overall record and earned 12th place at the NCAA Division II Championships. The squad also ended the year with four All-Americans, an achievement Nichols hopes to accomplish during his four-year career.
Although his time as a wrestler is a top priority, Nichols has high aspirations in the classroom as well. He plans to major in criminal justice, another decision that he believes gives hime the best chance at personal success.
“I just felt that it [criminal justice] was where my heart was at,” Nichols said. “I’ve always wanted to protect people. I just feel like Glenville State would be the best place for me to go and become what I want to be. I want to either be a cop or hopefully work for the FBI.”
As he begins to prepare his mind and body for the next phase of his career, Nichols believes he would be remiss not to consider the help he has received along the way from his coaches and teammates at Fairmont Senior. Without each person that has invested in his success, it would be difficult for him to achieve his dream of wrestling at the next level.
“I think my coaches and teammates have prepared me for the next level,” Nichols said. “I’ve been around these guys for four years and they’re all great. I think that’s been the biggest thing.”
Nichols also believes that despite not becoming a state champion, his experience at the W.Va state wrestling tournament has helped him prepare for the intense commitment associated with collegiate wrestling.
“It was definitely a good experience, and obviously not where I wanted to finish at state, but I’m still grateful,” Nichols said. “I’m grateful for those two matches I got to wrestle there and to be part of the state finals, so I thought it was a really cool experience. I’m still blessed that I was able to wrestle in that match.”
Like all athletes that are training for the next level, Nichols knows that there are still skills that he needs to continue to work on ...
