Keeping the “Freshman 15” off the waistline is a little easier when required to stay at a specific weight for the sport you love.

Nick Smith found this to be true when he joined the NIU wrestling team at the 125-pound weight class. Smith does admit it is more difficult to keep the weight off now that he is back from winter break.

“The dorm food is starting back up,” Smith said. “There’s nowhere to really cook so you got to watch what you do. I’ve been working out a ton.”

Smith’s dedication and intensity has not been lost on his coaches, who say he has continued to improve and battled against the best in the nation for his weight class. His efforts have allowed him to obtain a 17-7 record thus far.

“When guys come in as a freshman and compete the way he’s done and have that much fighting spirit, he’ll do nothing but get better,” said head coach Dave Grant. “It wouldn’t surprise me for what he could do nationally, be an all-American or national champ if everything lines up for him.”

The grappler from Ida, Mich. was recruited by several Division I schools, including MAC competitors Central and Eastern Michigan. Smith did not know early in his high school career that he would make it into a D-I wrestling program.

“At first I didn’t think I would [wrestle in a D-I school] but I really wanted to so I just kept pushing myself and trying to do good so I would get recruited.” Smith said.

Getting serious about wrestling his freshman year of high school, Smith went on to win three state championships, twice when he was the underdog.

“It was pretty awesome,” Smith said. “My first year no one expected me to win and then I won. I came back and won the next year when I wasn’t supposed to win again. I thought it was kind of cool just working for it.”

In his third title opportunity as a senior, Smith said he was finally expected to win.

Smith also ran cross country and track in school. Grant is pleased he chose wrestling though.

“He’s got a good heart and good spirit to him,” Grant said. “He doesn’t back down from anybody.”

Even though Smith works out more than the average college freshman, he still has to watch what he eats. Without hesitation after asked what food he wishes he could eat more of, Smith answered with a smile.

“Ice cream,” he said. “Any kind. Had a little ice cream this weekend, probably too much.”