Ben Peterson

Who is Ben Peterson?

Benjamin Lee Peterson was the winner of the gold medal in Freestyle 90 kg wrestling at the 1972 Summer Olympics as well as earning a Silver Medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics representing the United States. As a college wrestler, Peterson was a two-time NCAA champion at Iowa State. He founded the "Camp of Champs," which brought in Olympic wrestlers to train with high schoolers. Peterson also coached wrestling at Maranatha Baptist Bible College.

His brother, John Peterson, was also a two-time Olympic medalist in wrestling as well. John won the silver medal at the 1972 Olympic Games. The brothers then reversed roles, with John winning the gold medal in 1976. Both brothers were also inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Peterson grew up in Comstock, Wisconsin, attending nearby Cumberland High School before attending Iowa State University.