Life's Perez Named Wrestler of the Year; AAC Claims 3 Individual Naitonal Champions

NAIA Men's Wrestling National Championship recap
March 13, 2025

PARK CITY, Kan. - The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) was well represented at the 2025 NAIA Men's Wrestling National Championship, as the league came away with three individual national championships and several NAIA All-American honors.

The three-day event was held at the Park City Arena in Park City, Kan., on March 6-8.

In addition to the individual national championships and all-American accolades, Jesse Perez of Life was named the NAIA Wrestler of the Year. Perez won the 184-pound weight class national title and finished the year by posting a perfect 29-0 record.

Thaddeus Long of Life won the 133-pound weight class title, while Gage Braun of Southeastern captured the 285-pound weight class crown.

Earning NAIA All-American honors are:

  • 125-pound weight class: Angel Banda, Reinhardt (eighth)
  • 133-pound weight class: Thaddeus Long, Life (first), Aaron Lucio, Southeastern (third), Andrew Voiles, Southestern (sixth)
  • 141-pound weight class: Kael Brisker, Southestern (sixth), Thomas Williams, St. Thomas (seventh)
  • 149-pound weight class: Mario De La Torre, Southeastern (fifth), Bret Minor, Life (eighth)
  • 157-pound weight class: Steven Villalobos, Life (fourth), Fabian Padilla, Life (seventh)
  • 165-pound weight class: Matt Jenkins, Reinhardt (fourth), Anthony Federico, Southeastern (sixth), Reese Jones, Life (eighth)
  • 174-pound weight class: Kris Ketchum, St. Thomas (second), Tre Morrisette, Life (fifth), Trace Braun, Southeastern (eighth)
  • 184-pound weight class: Jesse Perez, Life (first), Kendall Norfleet, Life (third)
  • 197-pound weight class: Khalil Abdushshakur, Life (second), Gentry Smith, Southeastern (sixth)
  • 285-pound weight class: Gage Braun, Southeastern (first), Earnest Johnson, Life (sixth)

In the team competition, Life finished second with 149 points, while Southeastern was third with 119.5 points. Reinhardt came in 14th with 35 points and St. Thomas (30 points) 16th.

To view the complete results, click here.