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NCAA Champion (2009)
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NCAA Finalist (2006, 2009)
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All-American (2006, 2007, 2009)
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NCAA Qualifier (2006, 2007, 2009)
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EIWA Champion (2006, 2009)
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EIWA Finalist (2006, 2007, 2009)
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EIWA Sheridan Award (2009) (EIWA Tournament Award for Most Falls in Least Amount of Time)
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EIWA Wrestler of the Year (2009)
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All-Ivy First Team (2006, 2007)
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Ivy League Wrestler of the Year (2006)
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Ivy League Rookie of the Year (2006)
At Cornell
2008-09: In his third season with Cornell, Nickerson finished year with a perfect 25-0 record on his way to winning a NCAA title. He opened the tournament by pinning Michigan’s Mike Watts in 5:51. After winning by major decision in the second round, Nickerson took only 14 seconds to pin his quarterfinal opponent, seventh-ranked Joey Fio of Oklahoma. In the semis, the Big Red wrestler defeated NCAA champion Angel Escobedo, 2-1. The No. 2 seed then advanced to the finals where he fought past No. 1 ranked Paul Donahue (Edinboro), 2-1, in a tie breaker to win the title. Nickerson was named EIWA wrestler of the year and the Big Red’s team MVP. Nickerson won four matches, including three by fall, to win the EIWA title and earn an automatic bid to nationals. He received the EIWA’s Sheridan Award for winning the most matches in the championship bracket by fall in the shortest amount of time. In dual competition, Nickerson led the team in points (63) and in wins (14). Against Ivy competition, he had a 5-0 mark to earn his third first-team All-Ivy honor. Nickerson was second on the team in falls with 12, and he broke the Cornell record for fastest fall, pinning Easter Michigan’s Jordan McGuire in 13 seconds on Jan. 17.
2007-08: Did not compete.
2006-07: For the second time in as many years, Nickerson was named All-Ivy first team at 125 pounds. The sophomore was 3-0 in Ivy duals and 22-3 overall. Opening his sophomore campaign at the Southern Scuffle, Nickerson took the title with a 5-0 mark, defeating NCAA qualifier Jayson Ness (Minnesota) along the way. At the EIWA championships, Nickerson won his first three matches, before losing, 5-3, to Matt Eveleth (Penn) in the championship match. His second-place finish qualified him for his second NCAA tournament. Nickerson opened the NCAAs pinning his opponents in his first two bouts. He advanced to the semifinals, before losing 2-1 in a second overtime to the eventual champion Paul Donahoe of Nebraska. Nickerson won his next two matches in the wrestlebacks to capture third place and his second All-America honor.
(2005-06): Nickerson had a tremendous freshman campaign, earning the Ivy League Wrestler of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors. He is the first male athlete in any sport to be named the Player/Wrestler of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same season. He won the first 18 matches of his collegiate career, including wins over Chad Mendes (Cal-Poly), who was the No. 1 seed at the Las Vegas Invitational and Jeremy Mendoza (Arizona State), who was the No. 2 seed at the same tournament. Nickerson dropped his first match to No. 2 Sam Hazewinkel of second-ranked Oklahoma at the National Duals. He finished the season winning his last 14 bouts, including two wins over Lehigh’s Matt Fisk and one over Penn’s Mike Silengo. At the EIWA championships, he cruised to the title, recording a pin and a technical fall to advance to the semis, where he beat William Simpson (Army). He took the title with his second win of the season over Fisk. Nickerson won the 125 pound title in each of the three tournaments he entered this season. He led the team in wins (32) and falls (10) and was tied for the team lead in major decisions (9).
Prior to Cornell
Nickerson, one of the Big Red's most anticipated freshman arrivals, was the nation’s top recruit at 125 pounds coming out of Chenango Forks HS. He is the first-ever five-time New York state champion. He is a two-time junior national champion as well as a two-time Cadet national champion. He capped his decorated career at Chenango Forks HS with a high school national championship. Nickerson also ran cross county and was a two-time state qualifier.
Personal
Troy Richard Nickerson is the son of Robert and Karen Nickerson. He is studying biology and society in Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Nickerson's Career Statistics
