WICHITA, Kan. — Jesse Daniel "J.D." Perez of Ottawa University was named the KCAC Men's Wrestler of the Year, the conference office announced Friday. The KCAC Men's Wrestler of the Year award is voted on by the men's wrestling head coaches in the conference.

 

Perez just finished an outstanding season as a redshirt sophomore. For the second straight season, Perez earned NAIA All-America honors, finishing sixth in his weight class (184 lbs.) at the NAIA Men's Wrestling Championship. He finished second in his weight class at the KCAC Men's Wrestling Championship, losing by medical forfeit in the championship round at the conference meet.

 

Perez finished the season with a record of 34-9, a dual mark of 13-1, and had 18 falls and two technical falls. He is ranked second in the OU record book in single-season victories (34), ninth in single-season winning percentage (.790), first in wins by a sophomore (34), second in single-season wins in the 184 lbs. weight class (32), tied for first in season falls (20), and is first in single season dual winning percentage (.928).

 
"J.D. put together another phenomenal season, becoming a two-time All-American in the process," Colby Crank, the men's wrestling head coach at Ottawa University, said of Perez. "He is only the second wrestler to do that in program history, and became the first Ottawa wrestler to win the prestigious Missouri Valley Invitational in January."
 
"J.D. took huge strides in his development over this last year, and I'm incredibly proud of him not just for his success, but for the person he is," Crank continued. "He's helped to set a new standard for what is achievable within our program, and has been a great leader for us on and off the mat. I know he has his sights set on climbing the podium, and I'm looking forward to watching him achieve his ultimate goal of winning a national title!"