By Ben Rohrbach/ Townsman Sports Editor
Rollie Peterkin never thought his wrestling career would be as simple as it was in his junior year at Wellesley High School.
In fact, he hoped it wouldn’t.
After posting a 40-1 record with Wellesley in the 2004-05 season, Peterkin packed his bags and traveled to Blairstown, N.J., where he began at perennial wrestling powerhouse Blair Academy in the fall.
“Obviously, there’s a big difference, “said Peterkin, 18, of the competition comparison between Blair and Wellesley. “That’s pretty much the reason I went there. They’re in so many national tournaments. It’s an elite level of competition and opponent. You get to wrestle the best.”
Most recently, Peterkin competed at the Junior National Championships in Fargo, N.D., where he finished sixth in the 119-pound weight division. Having won the national crown wrestling at 112 each of the previous two seasons, the 5-foot-3 Peterkin wasn’t happy with this year’s performance.
“I was not pleased at all, “said Peterkin. “I thought that I could’ve done better, and should’ve.”
“His first year, he went 2-2 [at the national championships], “said Peterkin’s father, Roger. “He didn’t like that part at all. And he won it the next two years.”
The Junior National Championships allows just four years of eligibility, so Peterkin is unable to return next summer. But he’s prepared to use what he called a disappointing finish at the end of July as motivation in his postgraduate year that begins this fall.
“I definitely feel like that, “said Peterkin. “I’m getting good losses under my belt to fuel me. A lot of coaches say you should lose matches to keep yourself hungry, and I feel like that can keep you hungry. I’m ready to train more to win. I’m never satisfied with losing.”
That fact was clearly evident at Wellesley High. Peterkin won the state championship all three years he attended the school, captured the all-state crown his sophomore and junior seasons, and took home the New England title his junior year. After three seasons, two at the 103-pound level and one at 112, Peterkin was 134-8.
Then, off to Blair, where he posted a 27-7 record, mostly wrestling in the 112-pound weight class. He took second place at the National Prep Wrestling Championships, falling to the No. 1 ranked wrestler in that class, Ben Ashmore, 6-0. Blair went on to win the prep school team championship by more than 200 points.
“I’d say I did all right, “said Peterkin, clearly never satisfied. “There was a big difference in the competition, but it wasn’t shocking. I knew that coming in, so I was prepared for everything. I guess I kind of expected it. I knew what the team was like, and I knew what I was getting into.”
“He really had a great time, “said Roger Peterkin. “It was actually very rewarding that he can thrive in an environment like that. From a parent’s point of view, he took full advantage down there academically, socially, all the way around. He hit a home run, if you’ll pardon the cross-sport analogy.”
Now, Peterkin will enter his postgraduate season, continuing to build towards the 125-pound level, the lightest division in collegiate competition.
“I went to Blair, to repeat my junior year, so I could grow for college, “said Peterkin. “I kind of wanted a postgrad year. It’s a year to grow and build for college. It’s something I needed. I think I will transition pretty smoothly, because I’ve grown a lot in the last year.”
This year also provides Peterkin a chance to concentrate more on his training than his overall record.
“Next year is kind of like a growth year, “said Peterkin. “There won’t be as much pressure to excel. I can focus more on training and improving, so that will be better.”
“It’s a good year to grow and not worry about your win-loss record or making weight, “added Roger Peterkin.
As for his college of choice, Rollie Peterkin hasn’t quite made that decision.
“I want to wrestle in college, “said Peterkin, who also excelled academically at Blair, making the honor roll. “I’m still kind of shopping. I want to go to a good academic school with a good wrestling team.”
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