XSYRACUSE — Everything Eian Peterson knows about wrestling came from family.
Peterson knows how important two-point takedowns are in a match. He learned that aspect from his father, Grady Sr., a member of Niagara Wheatfield’s Hall of Fame and the single-season record holder (72) for over three decades. He became enamored with the sport after watching older brother, Grady Jr.’s, career at Niagara Falls, including three trips to the state qualifier and two sectional Class AA runner-up finishes.
Peterson thought he would follow in his older brother’s footsteps with the Wolverines. But, ahead of the upcoming school year, the Peterson family moved to Sanborn, resulting in young Eian proudly donning dad’s old colors.
Peterson won 10 of his first 11 matches with the Falcons and stands with a 23-7 record competing at 116-pounds as he tries to qualify for states for a third straight year. Plus, Peterson made his first appearance with the Falcons at the Division I state duals championships Saturday in Syracuse.
After competing with Team Niagara-Lake Erie during the offseason, Peterson now finds himself at a different pace, having his long-time friends as teammates. With Peterson joining the lineup this season, Niagara Wheatfield won the Niagara Cup over Niagara Falls Jan. 24 and now aim to defend its Niagara Frontier League title with a win against North Tonawanda at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Sanborn.
“I knew them all forever,” said Peterson, now in his junior year. “I’ve wrestled my whole life, so, I’m just excited that I get to wrestle with them in high school now.”
Now, in his fourth varsity season, Peterson grew in size and experience by jumping up through different weight classes. After a combined 34-15 in his eighth-grade and freshman years at 102, the latter including his first trip to states, Peterson recorded a 28-12 finish at 110. For a second time, Peterson finished in the second consolation round in Albany, this time bowing out to current St. Joe’s senior and Niagara Falls native Austin Zimmerman.
Through this season so far, Peterson has won 10 matches by pin but only two wins by decision. When on the mat, Peterson’s main goal is to keep his feet moving against an opponent.
“I like to work on my takedowns,” said Peterson, who has an 85-34 career record. “I like to be tough on top. And I like to escape fast, as I don’t like (to) mess around on (the) bottom. … Takedowns, they win matches.”
Not only is Grady Sr. the reason why Eian pays so much attention to his technique, but he’s also the inspiration for why, at six years old, he joined his brother in the sport. Besides holding the takedown milestone, Grady Sr., recorded many accomplishments while wrestling for the Falcons and under Hall of Fame coach Armand “Ace” Cacciatore.
Competing at 155, Grady Sr. won the Niagara Frontier League Wrestling Officials Classic and placed fourth at the state qualifier in 1988. Then, as a senior, in 1989, Grady Sr. came up just short of reaching states but lost in the qualifier to Albion’s Will Moss.
While Grady Jr. had pure strength to pick opponents up and slam to the mat, Eian, on the other hand, has taken on the technical aspect of the sport and is now trying to blend the two together. Though competing in different weight classes, Grady Sr. sees flashes of his younger self and Grady Jr. in Eian.
“He’s a deep thinker out on the mat,” Grady Sr. said. “He’s gonna think about what move is coming, maybe two or three moves ahead of the next guy. I was kind of a wrestler like that also and I just loved to have the mind game on my opponent. And I see that Eian loves that too, so, it is basically kind of a shadow of myself.”
Niagara Wheatfield head coach Rick Sweney has known Eian since he started wrestling at six years old and the Peterson family for decades. Before leading the program himself, Sweney faced Grady Sr. and the Falcons on numerous occasions when he coached the former Niagara Falls Power Cats for 25 years.
Although he’s only competed with Niagara Wheatfield since November, Peterson has already impacted the Falcons wrestling room with his knowledge of the sport. And, in situations, like in duals and tournaments during the season, Peterson has provided a big boost for what was already a veteran-heavy team. One example is when Peterson defeated Brockport’s Matthew Purnell in overtime at 116 at the 30th Lockport Invitational Jan. 12 at Lockport High School.
“He’s a two time-sectional champ so he’s a stud,” Sweney said. “One of the things I encouraged him is to maintain his weight a little better and so that’s what he’s ended up doing. … He’s a tough wrestler.”
The Section VI Class A championship featuring Niagara Wheatfield starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at Clarence High School.