“His family and his support system is tremendous. I mean, it is tremendous,” says Michigan head coach Sean Bormet, encapsulating the essence of Mason Parris’s close-knit family. Mason Parris, the face of his hometown Lawrenceburg and a two-time NCAA wrestling champion from the University of Michigan, has achieved remarkable success in his wrestling career. Awarded the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy in 2023, Parris’s achievements and medals fill an entire room.
However, behind his journey to the top is the unwavering support and encouragement of key individuals—his parents, Shay and Mark Parris, and his accomplished elder sister, Paxton. As we anticipate more magical moments from Mason Parris, it’s essential to recognize the family who has been there for him from the very beginning.
All about Mason Parris’s proud parents and siblings
Mason Parris was born to parents Shay and Mark Pariss and was brought up in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. His father used to be a linebacker at Ball State University from 1989 to 1993. Mark is also the inside linebackers coach. He is a 1988 East Central graduate and was an All-Mid-American conference football player. He is all praises when it comes to Mason saying, “He’s so quiet and humble. He’s always been so competitive. He’s a great leader.” Mason Parris receives similar support from his mother as well who is known to have not missed a single game of his.
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Polls of the day
Poll 1 of 2
Which aspect of Mason Parris' family background do you find most inspiring?
Strong family support
Athletic lineage
Close-knit relationships
Parental guidance
Mason also has an elder sister named Paxton, who works in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and is an alumna of Boston State University. Michigan head coach Sean Bormet has praised Mason’s family and support system, calling it “tremendous.” Bormet noted that extended family and friends from Mason’s hometown frequently travel to support him, often showing up in groups of 10 to 15 people, fully behind him. In their spare time, the family enjoys fishing and swimming at their family pond. His father’s dual coaching not only honed his athletic prowess but also instilled a resilience that would define his career in both sports.
The wrestling star’s father coached him in both football and wrestling
Mark Parris helped shape his son’s professional career by training Mason in both football and wrestling. In addition to wrestling, Mason was named the TriState Football Indiana Defensive Player of the Year and the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference 3A Defensive Most Valuable Player for a second consecutive time as a junior. He was also a state qualifier in shot put and volunteered his spare time with youth wrestling and football programs. Mark’s influence on Mason’s football career is quite evident. Mark said, “He [ Mason ] works on getting better each week and puts in the extra time necessary to do that.”
Under his father’s guidance, Mason’s wrestling career also took off. He was a three-time Indiana State Champion, winning the 220-pound category between 2016 and 2018. He also had 11 career pins at the state tournament. When he graduated, his high school record was an impressive 206-1, including a 152-0 record in his final three seasons. This remarkable achievement showcases Parris’ prowess in the sport and highlights the crucial support from his parents and family.
Debate
Does Mason Parris owe his wrestling success to his family's unwavering support? What do you think?