THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, June 28, 1996                 TAG: 9606260106
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 19   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER 
                                            LENGTH:   49 lines

HE HAS PUSHED TO MAKE HIS BEST BETTER WRESTLER CARL PERRY'S ZEAL SEEMED TO SAY THAT HE STILL HAD MUCH TO PROVE TO OTHERS.

Since he began the season with a 1995 state wrestling title in one hand and a full scholarship to powerful Illinois in the other, everyone expected Carl Perry's senior season to be marked by excellence.

Somehow, it seemed, the Great Bridge star expected even more.

For while the focus in his 130-pound division centered on who would finish second, Perry went about his business with the passionate zeal of a guy who felt he still had much to prove.

He set new standards for work ethic on a team already acclaimed for its dedication to training. He committed himself to sharpening the rare rough edges in his game, flaws that only the most technically minded observers even knew existed. And he embraced a leadership role, never hesitating to pounce in the face of a lazy teammate and occasionally even assuming coach Steve Martin's role of fiery pre-match orator.

Given this combination of Perry's already formidable skills and his refusal to rest on past laurels, should it be surprising that the result was one of the great wrestling campaigns in state history and his selection by the Clipper staff as the male high school Athlete of the Year in Chesapeake?

In addition to leading the Wildcats to their sixth consecutive Group AAA state title, Perry captured his second straight individual state crown, set a state record for career victories (162) and won all 47 of his bouts. That left Perry undefeated in his last 90 bouts, or since the 119-pound state final during his sophomore year. He also finished second in the national high school championships.

Remarkably, all but two of his senior-season victories came by pin or technical fall. So dominant was Perry that he could tailor his victory to fit team goals. When injuries plagued the Wildcats for a stretch, the technical fall-oriented Perry delivered pins in 10 of 11 bouts.

But the essence of Perry was perhaps best seen during the Eastern Region semifinals, after his technical-fall victory over Kellam's Jason Boswell gave him the state record for most career victories. Although he raised his arms in triumph and flashed a smile for the crowd, Perry shied away from celebratory antics. ILLUSTRATION: File photo

Carl Perry, in white shirt, set new standards for work ethic on a

team already acclaimed for its dedication to training. He committed

himself to sharpening the rare rough edges in his game, flaws that

only the most technically minded observers even knew existed. And he

embraced a leadership role. by CNB