Dean Peterson makes transition, immediate impact for Iowa men’s wrestling

IOWA CITY – Dean Peterson is acclimating to life in Iowa City.

He has noticed some differences between his home state of New Jersey and becoming an Iowa resident. There are things he has to get used to.

“In New Jersey, everyone’s kind of mean to you a little bit,” the former Rutgers NCAA qualifier and current University of Iowa 125-pounder said with a laugh. “Everyone in Iowa is a lot nicer than the average citizen in New Jersey. Even down to the way people drive out here. It’s a lot more calming than you see people doing the ‘Jersey slide’ at seven o’clock in the morning. It’s a lot different. … Iowa nice seems to be like a real thing.”

Of course, there are some things he misses. Like an authentic pizza that compares to the East Coast variety.

“Nope,” Peterson said. “Haven’t found one, sadly.”

Other than a lack of a good slice Peterson has fit right in with his new program. He has posted a 5-1 record and made an immediate impact with the Hawkeyes. Peterson sits at No. 7 in the national rankings by Flowrestling before No. 4 Iowa takes on Tennessee-Chattanooga and Utah Valley Friday at Journeyman Wrestling’s “Uncivil War” in Hannibal, Mo.

“I think he’s used to a certain way of wrestling and, as he grows, his wrestling will grow,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “He is growing and his wrestling is growing.

“I can tell you he’s a popular guy in that room. Coaches love him. His teammates love him.”

Peterson, a two-time New Jersey state champion and three-time finalist from Barnegat, N.J., was a three-time national qualifier and won 62 matches for Rutgers. He transferred to Iowa for his final season and has helped solidify the lightest weight.

“Obviously, I’d love to get to my offense a little bit more,” Peterson said. “My matches haven’t been super high scoring but on the positive side I’ve had pretty good defense and when I do get to my attacks, get to the legs, I do score.

“Overall, I’m happy with my performance but there’s definitely room for improvement.”

Peterson said he’s focused on being more consistent with offensive production. Others in the program may have emphasized the same point. Brands said Peterson is athletic and has scoring ability but the key is subscribing to specific approaches.

“I think it’s believing in certain things that are essential to winning in this sport and winning consistently,” Brands said. “Also, not just winning but winning the right way. So, you start to learn to dominate, widen the gap and those types of things.”

Peterson has demonstrated the clutch gene, being able to conjure up takedowns when needed, scoring third period takedowns to beat Oklahoma State’s then-No. 2 Troy Spratley and Iowa State All-American Stevo Poulin and in sudden victory to beat Pitt’s Tyler Chappell.

“It’s something I’ve been able to do in the past,” Peterson said. “I think I’m doing it a little bit more consistently now. It’s just one of those things, staying calm when the pressure’s on. Not letting the nerves get to you. It’s just about staying calm and getting the positions you want to get to.”

The decision against Poulin is an example of Peterson’s growth as a Hawkeye. Poulin beat Peterson in the round of 12 at the 2025 NCAA Championships. The win propelled Poulin, then at Northern Colorado, onto the awards stand for All-American status. Peterson was waiting to avenge that lost once he learned Poulin was transferring to Ames.

“It meant a lot,” Peterson said. “Obviously, I would have loved to get the team win alongside of it.

“That was one I’ve had circled since I saw that he transferred to Iowa State, knowing that I had already transferred to Iowa. I knew he was going to be in the lineup. That was one I really wanted to get, so it meant a good amount. It’s a good test early on in the season.”

Peterson has benefited from a treasure trove of workout partners at Iowa. Brands noted Peterson hasn’t shied away from mixing it up with various partners, including three-time NCAA champion and Olympic silver medalist Spencer Lee, former Hawkeye All-American Austin DeSanto, two-time NCAA finalist and Iowa 133-pounder Drake Ayala and even 141-pounder Nasir Bailey.

Peterson said he has noticed a difference in his conditioning.

“I’m not really getting tired in matches,” Peterson said. “I can go the full seven minutes and more if I need to. That’s probably the No. 1 thing. I’m in pretty good shape, right now.

“Just working out smarter. The guys know what they’re doing and they’ve gotten me into the best shape of my life.”

The Hawkeyes boast a legion of lightweight stars, including at the smallest division the last 15 years. Matt McDonough was a two-time NCAA champion, Lee won three, Ayala was a national finalist and so was Thomas Gilman, who was an Olympic medalist. Even though it wasn’t the lightest weight, standouts like Barry Davis, Brad Penrith, current Iowa associate head coach Terry Brands and Jeff McGinness wrestled in the mid-120s.

The torch how rests in Peterson’s hand, and this Jersey Boy knows Iowa’s legacy.

“There is no pressure that comes along with it,” Peterson said. “I know Iowa’s been historically great at 125 and I just want to keep that going.”

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