Induction Video(Written: June 2015)John Peterson used his career at UW-Stout as a stepping stone. After winning three conference wrestling titles, Peterson went on to earn national and international laurels, including an Olympic silver medal in 1972 and a gold medal in 1976.
Peterson wrestled for the Blue Devils from 1968-71, earning three conference titles (1969-160 pounds, 1970-167 pounds and 1971-167 pounds). The 1970 squad captured the conference team title. Peterson earned NAIA All-America honors in 1971, when he finished fifth at 167 pounds.
He qualified for the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, in the 180.5 pound freestyle class and won the silver with his only loss coming to the gold medal winner. Four years later, overcoming illness and injury, Peterson won gold in Montreal, Canada, in the same weight class.
In addition to his Olympic feats, Peterson was a four-time AAU National Champion, a silver medal winner at the 1971 World Championship and a bronze medal winner at the 1973 World Championship.
Peterson is a member of the National Wrestling, NAIA District 14 and UW-Stout halls of fame. The award for the top wrestler at the WIAC championship is named in his honor. In 2012, Peterson was named to the WIAC Wrestling All-Time Team in conjunction with the conference’s Centennial Celebration.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial education and resides in Comstock, Wis.