Former Sandpoint wrestler inducted into coaches Hall of Fame

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint native Mark Perry, a two-sport standout who graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1979, was recently inducted into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.

Perry, who was born and raised in Sandpoint, has been coaching youth wrestling in Washington for 27 years, including head coaching stints at Snohomish High School and East Valley High School, where his teams won five league titles and four regional championships. Perry coached 35 state placers and nine finalists during his 13 years as a varsity head coach.

In 2001 Perry was selected as the 4A Coach of the Year and in 2002 was awarded the WIAA Sportsmen of the Year, and currently coaches wrestling at the middle school level.

At Sandpoint Perry was a two-year varsity letterman in football, was the defensive team captain and won the Hunt Memorial Most Valuable Player Award.

As a four-year varsity letterman on the Sandpoint wrestling team, he compiled a 55-26-1 record and established a then-school record 24 straight wins. He was a regional champ, finished second at the state tournament and won the Most Inspirational Wrestler award as a team captain, before going on to wrestle at Eastern Washington University.

Perry married high school girl friend Tammy Howell and they have three sons: Brad, a Washington state champion and class valedictorian who wrestles for Boise State; Luke, who  attends University of Washington; and Tanner, a sophomore at Snohomish High School.