Perry’s Remarkable Run Ends as NCAA Runner-up

AdminMarch 18, 2018Last Updated: March 18, 2018

2 minutes read

CLEVELAND – All-American Ronnie Perry (Christiana, Pa./Solanco) closed his Lock Haven University wrestling career on collegiate wrestling’s biggest stage as he advanced to the 149-pound finals at the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Cleveland.

In front of an all-time NCAA tournament record crowd of 19,776 fans, Perry – already an All-American – fell to top-seed Zain Retherford of Penn State, 6-2 in the finals tonight, capping a remarkable run at the tournament and his all-around brilliant career in the crimson and white.

It is without question that Perry’s career was a major influence on the resurgence of the LHU wrestling program. This magnificent NCAA tournament run only added to his legacy at The Haven, and helped further cement the Bald Eagles place back on the national wrestling scene.

Perry and Retherford also left little doubt as to who the nation’s two best 149-pounders were. Retherford scored two takedowns in the first period and led 4-1 before stretching it to a 5-1 lead after two. Retherford, who became a three-time national champion, added a riding time point on the way to a 6-2 win.

Perry’s finals appearance marked Lock Haven’s first finalist since 1997. He clinched his All-American status with a win in yesterday’s quarterfinals.

Perry, the No. 15 seed, became the first ever No. 15 seed to advance to the national finals at any weight class. He did it dramatic fashion as he took down the No. 2 seed, a former NCAA champ and a third returning All-American. Perry’s dramatic run and spot in the finals only solidified his excellence.

Perry closed the season with a 32-4 record and finished with a 104-32 career record. The 104 wins are tied for the 13^th most in school history.

Earlier today, Chance Marsteller (New Park, Pa./Kennard-Dale) capped his All-American run with a fourth-place finish at 165 pounds.

Perry and Marsteller serve as LHU’s 40^th and 41^st all-time All-Americans, respectively. Their performances marked the first time since 1966 that the Bald Eagles had two wrestlers finish among the top-four at the national tournament. It’s also marked the first time LHU has had multiple All-Americans at the same tournament since 2002.