Hillsdale High School senior Stephen Petersen took runner-up at the wrestling state championships. Courtesy | Koreena Hemker

During his final trip to Ford Field, Hillsdale High School senior Stephen Petersen culminated his high school wrestling career with a second-place finish at the state championships held March 1-3. 

The four-year member of the wrestling team and three-time state qualifier began his final postseason by taking first in the 190-pound weight class, both at the district and regional Division 3 championships. Going into the state championship, Stephen boasted an impressive 38-4 record overall.

In years prior, he competed in the 171-pound and 175-pound weight classes but fell to his opponents during the blood round. 

The “blood round” is a crucial match where wrestlers compete for the opportunity to advance to placement matches and earn all-state honors. Wrestlers who win in the blood round secure their spot among the top finishers, while those who lose are eliminated from further competition.

According to his father and Hillsdale College Dean of Men Aaron Petersen, Stephen approached this year’s championships with a new level of mental toughness and resolve.

Stephen clinched his first two matches via pinfall. During the semifinals, he faced a wrestler who had previously defeated him during the season. Ultimately, Petersen defeated him in a 7-5 sudden victory decision, according to TrackWrestling.com.

Aaron Petersen said Stephen spent a lot of time “mindset training,” working to overcome obstacles like getting in his own head during a match and wrestling defensively.

“He just turned it up a gear,” Petersen said. “His mindset was like, ‘I’m not afraid to lose. I’m gonna go just unleash hell on these guys. I’m not gonna stop wrestling.’ It gives me goosebumps.” 

Wrestling offers a unique opportunity for young men to develop, according to Petersen.

“That’s why I love wrestling. It forces men to make decisions about manning up,” he said. “And so the young man grew up tremendously. He went to the semifinals and had to wrestle one of the kids who beat him during the season. He had to face him again at states and he beat him in overtime.”

During the finals, Stephen fell to his opponent via a close 3-1 decision, making him runner-up to the state champion.

“My final wrestling match was the perfect sum of my wrestling career: good enough to be great,” Stephen said. “I worked hard enough to get there but just fell short. I lost 3-1, and in wrestling, that is a very close match. I don’t think I‘ve worked for anything harder in my life.”

Younger brother and fellow Hornet, junior John Petersen, also competed. John secured an all-state honor, finishing fifth in the 215-pound weight class. 

John said although it was not exactly the outcome he was hoping for, he was thankful for the experience. 

“Wrestling is very hard, but when you have a brother that loves you and pushes you, it teaches you how to go through hard things, and that’s important for wrestling and life,” he said.

Stephen will attend Hillsdale College in the fall, where he will join the Charger football program as a running back. 

Hillsdale College head football coach Nate Shreffler said Petersen exhibits promising traits for success at the collegiate level.

“His experience as a wrestler, competing for a state title, shows he has the toughness, desire, work ethic, and focus needed to be a successful college player,” Shreffler said. “His high school football program also has a solid record of preparing their players very well for the next level.”

Shreffler said Petersen has the size, speed, and athleticism necessary to be an excellent running back at the division II level.

“It’s hard to predict anyone’s college career, but I do expect Stephen to work his tail off, on and off the field, be a leader, and be a great unselfish teammate who is willing to do whatever it takes to help us be the best team possible,” Shreffler said. “I have no doubt that he will make a strong contribution to our college community and our football program.” 

According to Shreffler, the biggest obstacle most players face as they transition to the collegiate level is learning terminology and processing information so they can play quickly. 

“It takes a little time to get comfortable in our schemes and get to a point where players aren’t thinking too much,” Shreffler said. 

Shreffler said he looks forward to Petersen continuing a family tradition of Charger football. 

“I’m excited to have Stephen join his cousins, the Affholters, on our current team and carry on the family tradition that his dad and brothers established before him,” he said.

Stephen said he looks forward to the team dynamic that football offers.

“In wrestling, it’s just you and your opponent. But in football, you get to be in battle with a team,” Stephen said. “It’s just really cool. I knew I wanted to be a part of the Charger football team, and the support of my friends and family helped me to solidify my decision.”