Parris Perfect In Completing Third State Championship Season

By Mike Perleberg Lawrenceburg High School's Mason Parris tops the podium after winning his third consecutive 220 lbs. championship at the IHSAA State Finals on Saturday, February 17. Photo by @IHSAA1, Twitter. (Indianapolis, Ind.) – Lawrenceburg High School wrestler Mason Parris completed a state championship three-peat Saturday. The senior Tiger won his third consecutive 220 lbs. crown under the lights at the IHSAA Wrestling State Finals hosted at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. In the title match, Parris (47-0) defeated Merrillville senior Brandon Streck (33-2) by a pinfall in the second period. The title-winning pin was the 11th in Parris' high school career at the state finals, breaking a record that had stood since 1938. Parris, who has committed to wrestle at the University of Michigan, won four matches at the state finals to end his high school wrestling career on a 152-match win streak dating back to the start of his sophomore season. As he has through practically his entire high school career, Mason made it look easy. He won each of his three other state finals matches by pinfall within the first four minutes. It is a testament to his domination of the sport in Indiana. Perhaps one of the all-time best athletes to come through Lawrenceburg High School, Parris’ career record is complete at 206-1. His only loss in high school was during his freshman year appearance at the state finals, where he narrowly lost in the 182 lbs. semi-final to eventual state champion Chase Osborn of Penn (South Bend). Parris is just the sixth individual to win three state championships in the same weight class and first since Franklin Central’s Jake O’Brien won three straight at 215 pounds from 2001-2003. There was one more honor for Mason at the state finals. He was named the IHSAA's Mental Attitude Award winner in wrestling. Three other southeastern Indiana wrestlers competed at the state finals this weekend. South Dearborn freshman Bryer Hall’s stellar first season ended in the 126 lbs. weight class quarterfinals on Saturday, as he lost by tech fall to Columbus East junior Cayden Rooks (45-2). Hall (48-4) won his Friday opening round match over Bellmont sophomore Kyle Lawson (30-13) on a 12-8 decision. Two senior wrestlers from Franklin County couldn’t advance past the opening rounds on Friday. 152-pounder Stevie Browning (35-6) was defeated by Crown Point senior Noah Laramore on a 16-2 major decision. Michael Bohman (44-6) lost by a pin at 1:28 to Chesterton senior Lucas Davidson (51-0) in the 195 lbs. division. You can view the full results from the IHSAA Wrestling State Finals at http://www.ihsaa.org/dnn/Sports/Boys/Wrestling/2017-18/StateTournament/tabid/2090/Default.aspx#37132273-state-finals.

Congrats @Parris58! https://t.co/Yii6lceCSe

What a way to celebrate! #INStateFinals18 pic.twitter.com/sFmlyAXqpK

Top of the 126-lb Pyramid: Asa Garcia of Avon pic.twitter.com/gn0kP74uqz