Ann Ritter

Ann graduated from Shaler High School in 1963 and was co-head cheerleader 2 years. She was assigned to wrestling meets, because the wrestlers could hear her voice out on the mat, the coach often told her to relay to use a certain "hold" to the Shaler wrestler! Ann knew all the wrestling moves, since she grew up in a well-known wrestling family. Her father, Rex, and brothers Hugh and Ed, were all 3-time NCAA Champions, giving the Peery family the fabulous and well known "9 for 9" nickname. And all three Peery men are Distinguished Members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Rex was the Head Coach at the University of Pittsburgh, coaching his sons Hugh and Ed, and Ann was THEIR number one cheerleader! Again, her distinctive voice could be heard anywhere in the gym at Pitt meets! She continues today to be a great cheerleader and top advocate for our great sport. An outstanding athlete, Ann was voted "Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year" in her senior year at Shaler. She was President of the Leaders Club which ran all the athletic events for girls and she refereed girls' basketball and softball games. Ann attended Slippery Rock State College as a PE major with a concentration in aquatics. After Ann's husband, Jim, received his Doctor of Optometry, they returned to Pittsburgh, and have lived there ever since. They were active in the Shaler Wrestling Club for many years, working tournaments for Hall of Fame Coach Bob Siar. Ann became a referee in 1973, officiating from midgets through high school, retiring in 1982. In 1993 Ann was elected to the first Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Chapter. She and the Board guided the Chapter through infancy. Today, the Pennsylvania Chapter serves as a model for other state programs. Ann represents the Pennsylvania Chapter at national meetings and serves on the National Advisory Board. Ann is obviously active at both local and national levels of our sport. One of Ann's quotes include, "One of my greatest pleasures in life is the sport of wrestling, is supporting its activities and helping make it grow." Her time, effort and energy in support of our sport is exemplary. Rex, Hugh and Ed Peery left a wrestling legacy that that Ann has embraced with ALL her heart and exemplifies EVERY day. Jim passed away in October 2012, after 47 years of marriage with Ann. Ann still resides in Allison Park, PA.

Awards:

Year
2018
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
Pennsylvania

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