...I wanted a place where I felt as though I could foster genuine relationships with my peers and professors, as well as be a contributing member of the community...
Name: Des Perry
Class year: 2025
Major: Finance
Why did you choose Ohio Wesleyan?
When it came to looking for a college, I wanted a place where I felt as though I could foster genuine relationships with my peers and professors, as well as be a contributing member of the community.
Why did you choose your major?
I was originally a business administration major, but an economics professor sat me down after an introduction course and discussed an economics major. Through the economics major, I took several finance electives and eventually decided to switch majors from economics to finance.
Why did you choose to compete in sports at Ohio Wesleyan?
I wanted to be a part of a team that I could help build. As a new program at the time, I felt as though the Bishops were my opportunity to take on that role and help build something new and meaningful.
Do you have any pre-event rituals or superstitions?
My pre-event superstition is that I have to eat the same things before a competition or I won't feel good while I compete. Since high school, I have always eaten a few turkey sandwiches and only drank water before competing because I have this belief that if I change it up at all, I won't feel 100 percent.
Is there a specific coach or teammate who has helped you get where you are?
Assistant Coach Tanner McHugh has really helped me throughout my college career. One season, I wasn't seeing the results I wanted to see, so we had a conversation about our mindset towards wrestling as a whole, not caring about wins and losses but rather caring about being better than who you were the day before. After our conversation, it helped me fall in love with the sport again and it really sent me in a good direction.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After completing a summer internship with JPMorgan Chase, I am currently planning on continuing to work with them following graduation. I don't currently have any details on what my job will actually entail but I am excited nevertheless.
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a student-athlete?
It's a privilege to compete at any level of athletics so make sure you enjoy it and you love it. To be able to do the sport you love and be around a great group of people while getting a higher education is a privilege. You can only do this once, and even then you only get 4 years, so don't take it for granted because there are people out there who wish they could be a part of something so special.
What is your theme song and why?
"Girls Love Rod Wave" by Scorey is probably my theme song just because it is one of my most listened-to songs of all time. Even though it came out in 2022, for 2024 it was one of my most-listened songs for the year. It is also one of the songs I listen to before competing to help keep me calm since it is a slower song.
What is your favorite movie character and why?
Cooper (played by Matthew McConaughey) in "Interstellar" is my favorite character because not only is "Interstellar" my favorite movie, but he's a guy who is living a simple life but he is tasked with something so important. To me, he represents the little man having a big impact and that is something important for everyone to realize. No matter how small you feel in this world, you will always have the ability to be an impactful person to the people around you or to the world.
What is your favorite place that you have traveled to as an OWU student-athlete?
My freshman year, the team competed at the Citrus Invite in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and that trip has to be my favorite trip we've had. We spent the New Year down there and the team had the opportunity to all get together at the house of a former teammate who is from the area, and it was all around a good time.
by Michaela Alfano '25
