PARK CITY, Kan. – Corban University men's wrestling's first ever NAIA All-American honoree returned to the mat on Saturday, looking to finish as high as third place in the 197-pound bracket at the season-ending tournament. At the end of the day, Levi Perry was able to earn a sixth-place finish in the ladder as the only placer with unranked status entering the tournament.
"Levi has overcome adversity time and time again throughout his life and wrestling career," said head coach Keegan Davis, "So it's rather fitting that he became Corban's very first All-American during a year that presented challenge after challenge. With very little mat time and zero competitions under his belt, Levi dug deep and gutted his way through the tournament, battling not only his opponents but the self-doubt that naturally occurs when you know that your opponents have had an actual season and the advantages that come with that. We are very proud of Levi and the growth he has made on the mat, in the classroom, and in his walk with Jesus Christ."
In Perry's first match of the day, he took a narrow overtime victory over No. 6-ranked Easton Rendleman, 3-1, guaranteeing him at least a sixth-place finish.
Following his first match, he met up with No. 5-ranked Diallo Matsimella of the eventual 2021 NAIA National Champion, Life University (Ga.). In what was a long battle, Matsimella pinned Perry after six minutes and 34 seconds of hard-fought wrestling.
In the end, the first ever NAIA All-American in Corban men's wrestling history treated the Warrior fans with a riveting and successful final tourney of the 2020-21 season. Having been afforded an extra year of collegiate eligibility, due to the COVID pandemic, Perry will have the opportunity to return to the mat for the 2021-22 campaign. He will be looking to take things a few steps further next season, and strive for a National Championship title.