CLEVELAND -- Ohio wrestling redshirt senior Sal Perrine was named the Mid-American Conference Male Scholar Athlete of the week for his performance in the classroom and at the 2026 Mid-American Conference Championships, the league announced. 

Perrine (Northfield, Ohio) helped lead the Ohio wrestling team at the 2026 MAC Championships in Buffalo. Perrine was crowned the MAC Champion at 184 lbs, punching a spot to the NCAA Championships for the third time in his career. This marks the first time Ohio wrestling has had three individual MAC Champions since the 1999-00 season, when Brad Wright, Dan Bednar, and Tim Coutard each won MAC titles. Ohio's three individual champions were the most of any team at this year's MAC Championships.
 
On Friday, Perrine began his day in the quarterfinals after a first round bye, defeating Buffalo's Marcus Petite in a hard-fought 7-2 decision victory. After falling behind 1-0 to start the second period, Perrine responded with two takedowns as the second period ticked away. The last of the two came just before the clock hit zero and was ruled three points following a successful challenge from Ohio's coaching staff. In his semifinal match, Perrine recorded two takedowns to power his way to a 7-1 decision victory over Lock Haven's Sam Gautreau.
 
On Saturday, Perrine took the mat in the 184 lb championship match, facing George Mason's Malachi DuVall. Perrine rode three takedowns and a reversal to a dominant 12-3 major decision victory over the 24th ranked DuVall, earning the MAC title at 184 lbs.

Perrine is back in action this week, March 19-21 for the 2026 NCAA Men's Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, Ohio. The three-day event will take place at Rocket Arena and can be viewed across the networks of ESPN. 

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