Perry High School senior Emma Shephard is taking her wrestling career to the Division I level. Shephard signed her written offer of athletic aid on Wednesday to continue wrestling at Kent State University, celebrating the signing alongside her parents, Nick and Rachel Shephard, as well as family, coaches and classmates, Q92 Sports reported.
Shephard heads into her final season at Perry as one of the most decorated wrestlers in program history, according to Q92 Sports. She captured a state championship last season after placing fourth at the state tournament in both 2024 and 2025, and she was named the 2026 Stark County Wrestler of the Year along with First Team All-Stark County honors.
Her resume runs deeper than the state podium. Q92 Sports reported it also includes a regional championship, two sectional titles, a championship at the Findlay F.I.G.H.T. tournament and a fourth-place finish at the Ironman Tournament. She is a three-year varsity letterwinner and a four-year member of the Perry program.
“Emma exemplifies the discipline, resilience, and drive of a championship student-athlete,” Perry athletic director Kevin Yoder said, in comments reported by Q92 Sports. “Her impact on Perry wrestling will be felt for years to come, and the entire Perry community looks forward to supporting her as she competes at the Division I level after she finishes her career at Perry.”
Away from the mat, Shephard takes part in Perry’s Medical Academy through HOSA, the student organization for future health professionals, Q92 Sports reported. She plans to major in nursing at Kent State, pairing a Division I wrestling career with preparation for a career in health care.
The signing continues a strong pipeline from Stark County mats to college wrestling, and it gives Shephard one more high school season to add to her record before she moves on. Perry wrestles in one of Ohio’s most competitive wrestling communities, where state placements are earned against fields stacked with future college athletes.
First, though, there is a final season to wrestle. Shephard will take to the mat this winter as a returning state champion and a signed Division I athlete — and every opponent on Perry’s schedule will know exactly who she is.
Photo: U.S. Army, CC BY