Mason Parris previews NCAA Wrestling Tournament, recaps winning Big Ten title for Michigan

Mason Parris won his first Big Ten wrestling title for the Michigan Wolverines but his eyes are now on the NCAA Championships in Tulsa.

Parris captured the conference crown with a 5-3 sudden victory win over Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet. The Michigan man fell to former Minnesota two-time national champion Gable Steveson in a variety of finals, even the NCAA finals, and never climbed to the top of the mountain.

That all changed Sunday and Parris spoke with Big Ten Network’s Shane Sparks after his victory over Kerkvliet.

“Yeah I was super excited you know to be here in Ann Arbor in front of my fans and my family and it was just an amazing experience,” Parris said. “I gave up that stall call so I just had to recollect myself and you know get after another takedown and just go after it … I’ve been working when any adversity hits by keeping my composure and just getting after it and doing whatever I can to win.”

Parris took fourth in last year’s Big Ten Tournament while taking fifth at NCAAs. He lost to Steveson in the NCAA and Big Ten Finals back in 2021.

The Wolverine had yet to taste gold at the collegiate level, but pulled through against a fellow national title contender in Kerkvliet.

“I’ve been in the Big Ten Championship before so I kind of knew what the surrounding was and the pressure behind it all,” Parris said. “I didn’t let that get to me at all. And you know, it was just like any other wrestling match for me … The Big Ten heavyweight (division) is I think one of the best weight classes in the country. It’s amazing to be able to compete.

“We all make each other so much better every single week and it’s a grind. You don’t get any easy matches all year. So you know, it’s a lot of fun going out there and competing with those guys.”

The final thing left on Parris’ resume is an NCAA championship. The 2023 tournament is the last shot of his storied college career.

“Yeah, it’s my time because I put in so much work this summer,” Parris said. “And now this is my last season. So, you know, I’m doing everything I can. I poured a lot of blood sweat and tears into the season and I’ve worked the hardest I’ve ever worked and I think currently the best version of myself right now. That version is gonna get even better in two weeks and continue for the rest of my career.”

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Parris (28-0) is the No. 1 seed at 285 lbs. He was one of eight Wolverine qualifiers for the NCAA Tournament.