Wolverines Add Micic, Perry During Early Signing Period
11/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 17, 2015
Joe McFarland
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan wrestling head coach Joe McFarland announced Tuesday (Nov. 17) the addition of Stevan Micic and Dan Perry to the Wolverine program. Perry signed a National Letter of Intent during the early signing period and will join the Wolverines next fall, while Micic, a transfer from Northwestern, will start school at Michigan next semester.
"We're excited about these two young men," said McFarland. "It's not a very large group, but it's a great one. They really fit well into our program. They're high-character kids, have great work ethics, make good decisions and are well-liked and respected. They will add a lot to our program."
Perry, a native of Lapeer, Michigan, captured a Michigan state title at heavyweight last season (2015) at Lapeer East High School and is a two-time Michigan state placewinner, claiming fourth place (2014). He boasts a career prep record of 176-6, including a 61-0 mark last season. Perry claimed runner-up honors at FloNationals last spring. Outside of wrestling, he is a standout lineman on the Lapeer football team. He is ranked as the No. 9 heavyweight by InterMat and as the No. 4 heavyweight and No. 78 overall recruit by Flowrestling.
"Dan is a big, athletic kid with a lot of power and explosive leg attacks," said McFarland. "He had a big breakthrough season last year and really asserted himself on a national stage. We're excited to get him in here next year and get him training with our other heavyweights. We really think he's got a huge upside, and we're looking forward to seeing him develop into an elite college heavyweight."
Micic, a native of Cedar Lake, Indiana, was a three-time Indiana state champion, winning at 126 pounds (2014), 113 pounds (2013) and 106 pounds (2012), and a four-time state placewinner at Hanover High School after claiming third as a freshman (2011). He went 184-5 over his prep career, including a perfect 141-0 over his final three seasons. Micic redshirted his freshman year at Northwestern last season, posting a 19-3 record and claiming third place at the prestigious Midlands Championships.
Micic is currently training with the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club while using an Olympic redshirt for 2015-16. A two-time freestyle world team member, he most recently captured bronze at 57kg at the 2015 Junior World Championships. The Big Ten Conference has approved his transfer waiver; he will have four years of eligibility remaining when he returns to collegiate competition next year.
"Stevan is really going to add a lot to our lightweights and to our program," said McFarland. "He's a great young man and a student of the sport. He loves studying wrestling and loves competing. He's a junior world medalist and has big Olympic aspirations. He's going to be a real force for us, and we're awfully excited to have him here in Ann Arbor."
Michigan will fill out its incoming class with additional members in the spring.
Communications Contact: Leah Howard
