LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University men's wrestling and head coach James Kisgen officially announced the promotion of Cory Peterson, a four-time NCAA Division II All-American for the Bearcats (2019-2025), as the full-time assistant coach after Peterson served the program as a part-time assistant last season. Peterson, a cornerstone for the Bearcats for six years, is set to assist the  program founder, director of wrestling, and men's head coach (Kisgen) in leading the program to its continued successes. "Cory has been a true Bearcat and he's going to do great things for this program with a well-deserved promotion." said Kisgen. McKendree gets set to kick off its preseason in late September with its first competition on November 6 at Central Missouri with a 7:00PM dual in Warrensburg. 

Peterson, a 2025 McKendree graduate, is a native of Worden, Illinois, where he attended De Smet Jesuit (Missouri) and had a historic career with his name still in the rafters. At De Smet, Peterson was a four-time state placer and a two-time finalist while capping his career with a 2019 Missouri State Title. He recorded 170 wins in his high school career, a feat which still holds as a school record. Following high school, he became a Bearcat in 2019, beginning his journey to his new role. The Worden-native hit phenomenal heights in his career with the opening year being named the Freshman of the Year while earning First Team All-GLVC honors in each of his competition seasons. His first official campaign was capped with a fourth place All-American finish with the NWCA Region IV Rooke of the Year honors. His sophomore campaign found him placing third at nationals behind a 37-6 record and a runner-up finish at the 42nd Midwest Classic. He bounced back in 2024 after an injury robbed the 165lb wrestler of what set up to be a historic 2023 campaign, finishing 4th while dominating his way through to nationals. The cap-stone year in 2025 saw Peterson hit his stride again, defeating a multitude of higher-ranked opponents throughout the season, including at the National Championships where his final match saw him as the winner for his fourth All-American honor. 

Peterson on Joining the Staff
"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue being a part of this program. I'm excited to see this come full circle because the program has done so much for me. Starting as a part-time assistant gave me the opportunity to learn from an incredible staff, build relationships with our student-athletes, and become truly invested in what we're building. I'm eager to continue growing as a coach and contributing to the success of this program. I'm thankful for the trust Coach Kisgen and McKendree has placed in me, and I'm looking forward to what we can accomplish while helping create great students, athletes, wrestlers, and men. As always, Go Bearcats!"

Peterson Career Honors
NCAA DII All-American - 2021 (4th), 2022 (3rd), 2024 (4th), 2025 (5th)
2024 NCAA DII Fourth Place Team
2021 NWCA Region IV Rookie of the Year
4x All-GLVC Selection (3x First Team)
4x Missouri State Placer
2x Missouri State Finalist
2019 Missouri State Champion
De Smet Jesuit All-Time Wins Leader (170) & Takedowns Leader
Coached 2026 NCAA DII Third Place Team | 2x NCAA DII National Champions (141 Schuelke | 184 Johnson) - 5 All-Americans

Coach Kisgen on the Addition of Peterson Full-Time
"We're thrilled to have Cory back in the program following his career here as a Bearcat. He knows what it means to be a Bearcat at heart and will play a big role in developing our student-athletes into accomplished young men. Cory is a homegrown member of this McKendree Wrestling family and he's already hit the ground running in his new role."

SEASON OPENER
November 6 | 7:00PM at Central Missouri | Warrensburg, Missouri - Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center

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