*ED PEERY, Pittsburgh
’57, matched brother Hugh with two state
championships at Shaler HS in PA and his only loss in a 48-1
career was by referee’s decision. Ed then went 51-1 at Pitt,
with the only loss 4-3 in the EIWA semis as a junior vs.
Springfield’s Joe Alissi, up one weight at 130. But at NCAAs
at 123 Peery surged late, as he did to win all three finals.
In 1955, he reversed and pinned with 0:30 seconds left. In
’56, he was taken down twice by Harmon Leslie (NCAA 2,2) but
won, 7-5. In his final bout at home in Pittsburgh, Ed again
trailed Harmon, 7-3 in the third. But an escape, takedown and
riding time forced overtime where Ed earned a unanimous
referees’ decision, 7-7,2-2.
Peery excelled as Navy coach from
1961-1987, competing against his father in the EIWA through
1965. His Midshipmen earned eight EIWA team championships, 48
individual titles, 28 All-American medals and his dual mark was
311-89-12. His top star was Lloyd Keaser (1970-72), a 1973 World
Champion, 1976 Olympic silver medalist. Peery was NWCA coach
of the year in 1969 and a member of USA Wrestling's national
teaching staff.
After coaching, Ed was the
Academy’s highest ranking civilian employee, handling all
recreation. He retired in Annapolis to do volunteer work with wife,
Gretchen, also a volunteer assistant coach with local youth. Upon
his passing in 2010, he was honored with a massive service in the
Naval Academy Chapel.
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