Class of 2023

Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)/Univ of Northern Iowa Wrestler

Wrestling for Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West) High School (1999-2002) under IWCOA Hall of Fame Coach Head Coach Bernie Botheroyd, Nicholas Baima placed four times at the IHSA Class AA State Tournament. Nick placed 5th at 103 lb. as a freshman, 5th at 119 lb. as a sophomore, 3rd his junior year at 130 lb. and was 5th as a senior at 145 lb. He was a two-time IHSA Sectional Champion, and he won the Dvorak Invitational and placed three other times. He finished his career with Glenbard West, posting a career record of 173-13 and had a 16-4 record at the IHSA State Tournament. With the help of his club coach, IWCOA Hall of Fame Member Ed Giese, he placed 5th at the USA Cadet Freestyle Wrestling Nationals and finished 4th and 5th at the FILA Cadet Freestyle Wrestling Nationals.

After High School, Nicholas wrestled for the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), coached by Brad Penrith (2002-2007). For UNI, he was a four-time NCAA qualifier. He was seeded 4th and 5th at the NCAA Division I National Tournament his junior and senior year. He won the Western Wrestling Regional twice. In addition, he won the 2005 Midlands Wrestling Championship and was awarded Most Outstanding Wrestler. His career record at UNI was 124-42, with the majority of his losses occurring in his first and second years.

Nicholas was also a four-time NWCA D1 Academic All-American and was named NCAA D1 Academic All American by ESPN The Magazine.

Upon graduating from UNI with a BA in philosophy and humanities and a minor in history, Nicholas pursued a MA in philosophy at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. While working on his MA, he coached at Missouri Baptist University, reuniting with his old club teammates, Paul and Matt Collum. He then went on to achieve a PhD in philosophy at Washington University-St. Louis. He is now Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University.

Nicholas is indebted to his family, friends, coaches, and teammates.