Billy Nichols
By Pat O’Malley
Photos by James Houck
Billy Nichols 
Severna Park High School
Wrestling & Football
Falcons coach Paul Joyce says he wishes he had more student/athletes like Nichols, a junior captain. “Billy is a model student and sets a great example for our other underclass wrestlers with his work ethic,” said Joyce, who is in his ninth year as the Severna Park coach. After a fine sophomore season in the 171-pound division, Nichols has made a smooth transition to the 215-pound class; the Maryland State Wrestling Association ranks him No. 2 in the State. Last year, Nichols was 21-4 at 171 and finished as a state runner-up. He says the move up has been relatively easy and that “it is a different style of wrestling.” His athleticism has helped him a great deal when wrestling the bigger guys. That athleticism has helped him in football where he is a starting defensive end for coach J.P. Hines. Nichols actually likes football better but plans to wrestle in college. “I’ve been wrestling practically my whole life,” said Nichols, who started at age five with the Chesapeake Youth Wrestling Club. “I hope to get a scholarship for wrestling and major in physical therapy.” Nichols has a 3.2 grade-point-average and transferred from Archbishop Spalding to Severna Park last year. He is the son of Bill and Phyllis Nichols.