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What motivates a successful college wrestler to leave their home state program for a new opportunity in their final year? Dean Peterson pulls back the curtain on this profound decision while sharing the complete arc of his wrestling journey.

From backyard wiffle ball games with his brother to competing in packed Big Ten arenas, Peterson's path reveals the sacrifices, challenges, and triumphs that shape elite wrestlers. His early wrestling start at just four years old planted the seeds for what would become a lifelong passion—one that had him declaring Olympic dreams before he'd even started elementary school.

Peterson offers rare insights into the unique wrestling culture of New Jersey, where competition is fierce and sometimes ruthlessly territorial. His high school years required extraordinary commitment, including daily hour-long commutes each way to train with elite coaches. Unlike many peers who pursued extreme weight management strategies, Peterson embraced a more sustainable approach that protected his long-term development—a philosophy influenced partly by a chance encounter with Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs.

The conversation shifts to his collegiate experience at Rutgers, where injuries and illness complicated his redshirt year before he established himself as a formidable competitor. Peterson candidly discusses the realities of competing while sick, the politics of college wrestling, and the complex factors that ultimately led to his transfer to the University of Iowa for his final season. His forensic psychology studies and aspirations to continue into international freestyle wrestling add fascinating dimensions to his athletic journey.

Whether you're a wrestling parent, athlete, or fan, Peterson's authentic perspective on navigating the sport's physical and mental challenges will resonate deeply. His story captures the essence of what makes wrestling simultaneously so demanding and rewarding—the constant pursuit of growth through adversity.

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We're joined by our Signature athlete and U15 Pan Am team member Lyric Hetzer who shares her journey from winning nationals to making the Pan Am team.

• Coach Noble's approach of challenging Lyric to pin opponents quickly helps her focus and maintain a competitive mindset
• Lyric's mental approach differs when facing accomplished opponents versus less experienced ones
• Winning nationals was a significant achievement, despite hitting a headlock that's "banned in my household"! LOL
• Pan Am trials came as a surprise, but Lyric pushed through despite doubting herself initially
• Making the Pan Am team felt surreal – "It still feels like it's not true"
• Future goals include winning Fargo, though Lyric views Super 32 more as a great experience than a must-win
• Balancing education choices with wrestling opportunities presents challenges for high school
• Lyric touches on NIL opportunities for high school athletes in Ohio

If you want to support Lyric on her journey to the Pan Am's in Guatemala, check out the Venmo link below to send money to her Mom and biggest advocate Heather Hetzer!

https://account.venmo.com/u/Heather-Hetzer-1?catchAll=u&catchAll=Heather-Hetzer-1

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An in-depth exploration of the wrestling landscape leading up to the state tournament, highlighting key matchups and wrestlers to watch. We discuss the growing excitement, breakdown of girls' competitions, and the complexities surrounding boys' rankings and predictions.

- Girls competitions analyzed from lightweight to heavyweight
- Significant names and anticipated matchups reviewed
- Boys' rankings and seeding discussions explored
- Predictions for potential upsets and breakout performances

Support the show

Appleton Tattoo Links
https://www.facebook.com/appletontattoo
https://www.instagram.com/mark_appletontattoo/


920 Hat Co. Links
https://920hatco.com/
https://www.instagram.com/920hatco/
https://www.facebook.com/920HatCo