JOHN PETERS
(Ritchie County)
John Peters, a 1970 graduate of Beckley Woodrow Wilson High School, has been a fixture on the athletic scene in Ritchie County for many years. Peters enjoyed a great run of success there as a coach on the wrestling mats.
After high school, he headed to Glenville State College where he played football and wrestled for the Pioneers.
He launched his career as a wrestling coach in 1975 at old Harrisville High School, helping to revive a sport that had been dormant for 20 seasons. In addition, he started a youth program there, which he directed for 15 years. In 1982, he took over as the HHS head coach for Gator wrestling. He had the luxury of guiding Richard Cokeley to three straight Class AA-A state championships in 1984-86. Peters also was named the head track and field coach for the school in 1982.
Consolidation of Pennsboro and Harrisville formed Ritchie County High School in the fall of 1986 and Peters was chosen as the head coach for both sports. He continued to oversee the youth wrestlers in the county while also implementing a middle school program.
During his career, Peters had seven state champs, five who finished as runner-up, 41 state placers and 102 qualifiers. In 1999, he was named the Class AA-A Dix Manning Coach of the Year.
He continues to work with the youth wrestling program in Ritchie County. In recent years, he has been inducted into the WV Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Raleigh County Sports Hall of Fame and the Ritchie County Sports Hall of Fame.
Mid-Ohio Valley Sports Hall of Fame 