Perry (Okla.) High School wrestling teamThe legendary Perry High School wrestling program has a new member on its team.
The wrestling program at the Oklahoma school -- alma mater to Olympic medal-winning wrestlers Dan Hodge and Jack VanBebber, along with dozens of other state champions and NCAA All-Americans -- have received new ASICS shoes for every wrestler on the team, as well as the entire coaching staff, just in time for the 2017-18 season.
The new shoes are part of a major sponsorship agreement between wrestling shoe maker ASICS and the documentary film "The Price of Legacy: Wrestling with a Dynasty" about the Perry High School Maroons wrestling program and the town they call home, now in production.
"Today is a very special day," said Chance Leonard, the documentary's creator and executive producer. "My team and I are extremely excited to partner with such a prestigious organization. ASICS wrestling shoes are synonymous with the sport of wrestling and are worn by some of the best wrestlers ever. We would like to thank Mr. Brady Bersano, Mr. Nick Gallo and all of ASICS for their passion for wrestling and believing in our film project."
On a personal note, Leonard -- himself an Oklahoma high school state champ for Perry -- weighed in on the significance of ASICS' gift of shoes for the Perry mat program, and the shoe maker's support of the documentary about one of the nation's top amateur wrestling hotbeds.
"It's a bit surreal! I wrestled my entire career wearing ASICS wrestling shoes and have never worn anything else," said Leonard. "Being able to present this gift to Coach (Ronnie) Delk and the team is a blessing and privilege."
"Adding ASICS to our already talented team brings additional credibility and fuels our momentum," Leonard added.
"ASICS is proud to support Perry, Oklahoma's historic, record-breaking high school wrestling program. It is incredible to think that such a small town could foster a culture that has consistently produced champions for decades. Impressive is an understatement."
"Wrestlers are some of the hardest-working individuals out there, and they do not get enough recognition for what they go through while training to be the best. We appreciate the team behind 'The Price of Legacy" for shining a light on these hardworking individuals."
Perry -- a community located in northern Oklahoma, between Oklahoma City and Wichita, Kan. -- has deep roots in wrestling… and has displayed them in a number of ways on and off the mat.
Perry High School can claim one of the most accomplished prep wrestling programs in the entire country. Although the town of Perry, Okla. has only about 5,000 residents, its wrestling program has produced greatness in its more than 90-year history. Among the achievements of the mat Maroons: Two Olympic medalists -- Jack VanBebber, gold medalist at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, and Dan Hodge, who won silver at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne -- 162 individual state champs, sixteen dual state titles, and eighteen individuals who have earned a total of 28 All-American honors at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. If that weren't enough, Perry can claim a total of 41 Oklahoma high school team titles -- a national record. In fact, the program has won a state team title at least once in every two years since 1961.
The town of Perry is also home to the Perry Wrestling Monument Park, a unique tribute to the great wrestlers who called Perry home. Located in downtown Perry on Courthouse Square, the park features statues of the two Perry Olympic medalists -- VanBebber and Hodge -- along with granite columns which have the names of Perry mat legends carved into them.
In addition, the community -- and Perry High School -- are the subject of a new documentary, "The Price of Legacy: Wrestling with a Dynasty" now in production. The anticipated release date for the film is the second quarter of 2018. To learn more, visit the film's official website.
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