Former OSU Wrestler Rogers Named Lakeland College Coach
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Alex Ryan (Lakeland College SI)
07/31/2001
Peter Rogers takes the reigns at Lakeland one year removed from collegiate competition SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - Ohio State University calls Peter Rogers an "absolute warrior." He's also an absolute winner. Rogers has returned home, accepting the job as Lakeland College's new head wrestling coach. Rogers, an Oostburg native, brings an eye-opening resume to Lakeland, and the opportunity for Lakeland's wrestlers to learn under one of Wisconsin's most accomplished high school wrestlers. Rogers finished his Oostburg High career with an incredible 145-1 record and three state championships. His only loss came in the state championship match of his freshman season. He continued his winning ways during a solid career at Ohio State, finished with an 80-63 record, including a 20-4 campaign his senior season when he advanced to the NCAA Championships and earned a third-place finish. Rogers was voted OSU's Most Dedicated Wrestler and a team captain for the 1999-2000 season. After spending last winter working as an assistant wrestling coach at UW-Oshkosh, Rogers returned to Ohio hoping to earn teacher certification. He has a bachelor's from OSU in sport and leisure studies. "Coaching is something I always wanted to do when I was done wrestling, or while I was still wrestling," Rogers said. "It will be nice to have my own program." An avid hunter and fisher, Rogers plans on enrolling in Lakeland's master of education program, allowing him to realize several of his goals at once. "I'm pumped to get back to Wisconsin," Rogers said. "It worked out perfectly." Lakeland Athletic Director Jane Bouche said Rogers' resume stands out, but her discussions with the young coach told her that Rogers was the right person for the job. "Peter talks about wrestling with a passion that has helped him achieve his past success," Bouche said. "That same passion will help him be a great coach and a perfect fit for our program." Roger will bring the same tireless work ethic he took to the mat into building the Muskies wrestling program. "As far as the wrestling part, it gets someone in there who really cares about what happens," Rogers said. "I don't like to lose. I'm willing to work hard and put in extra time to build a winning program, and I won't be happy until I do. "I'm looking forward to working with the kids. They all seem to have good attitudes." Rogers is well-known in local wrestling circles, and his older brother, Steve, has coached a highly-successful program at Oostburg High for several years. Rogers knows capturing the talent at local schools is crucial. "That's what the program has got to be built around," Rogers said. "I know a lot of the kids in the area and the coaches. I'm confident we can get kids here. Kids know they will be going somewhere where there is a familiar face and maybe they even know you."