Maryville University Athletics

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2020-21 (COVID Shortened Season): As one of our leaders and Varsity Wrestlers Michael earned the following awards. 3X NWCA Scholar All-American, NWCA DII All-Academic National Team Champions, Dr. Lombardi Saint Award, Staying Power Award, 2X Varsity Letter Award, DII Athletic Directors association Academic Achievement Award, 4X GLVC Academic All-Conference. Michael was a big part in helping the team win its 4th consecutive NWCA DII All-Academic Team National Championship. “Sandman” has overcome tremendous adversity in his career and has demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the wrestling program and consistent “Rebounding Power”. Michael is a “Leader By Example” and a “Positive Force” on and off the mat. He “Motivates and Inspires” by his example. 
 
Words that describe Michael: Man with a Plan, Trustworthy, Responsible, Fighter, Genuine, Tough, Hard-Nosed, Enduring, “Best Is Yet To Come”, Resolute, Sincere, Reliable, Strong, Sandman, Soldier, Pinner, Academics.  

2019-20: Michael "Sandman" demonstrated great Character in dealing with the adversity he has faced with injuries. His Example has been motivating and inspiring to his Teammates and Coaches. He finished his junior campaign with a 4-5 record. He was U.S. Beach Wrestling National Champion and finished third in the Beach Wrestling World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. Michael earned the Dr. Lombardi Saint Award, the NWCA Scholar All-American Award (2x), the Rebounding Power Award, the Staying Power Award, was selected for the Div. II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award, and was elected to the Geico GLVC Team Academic All- Conference team for the third time. He makes our Dojo a "Better Place” and has done the work to have success.

2018-19: During the 2018-2019 season while wrestling in the Kaufman/Brand/Bayly Open, Michael suffered a season ending injury. “The Sandman” represented the United States at the Beach Wrestling World Championships in Dalyan, Turkey in 2017 and Sarigerme, Turkey in 2018. Michael won the U.S. Beach Wrestling National Championship in 2017 and went on to place 5th in the UWW World Beach Wrestling Championships that year. In 2018, Michael placed 2nd in the U.S. Beach National Championships, earning his spot on the World Team for the second straight year. Michael continues to be a leader by example in the classroom and will challenge for a spot in the lineup next season. Michael picks up the Overtime Award and the Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Award for his efforts on the mat and in the sand. He received the Staying Power Award for his tremendous attitude, work power, commitment and discipline despite adversity.

2017-18: Michael is a Positive Force on our Team. His Work Power and Commitment is evident in all the extra work he puts in to improve. He had a tremendous redshirt freshman campaign at 149 pounds. During the summer Michael represented the USA at the World Beach Wrestling Championships in Turkey after he won the USA Beach Wrestling Championship. He finished 5th in the Beach Wrestling World Championships. He had 24 wins on the season earning the Outstanding Redshirt Freshman and Most Improved Awards. He had 14 falls in his 24 victories and earned his first Varsity Letter Award. 20 of Michael’s wins resulted in bonus points for the Saints. Michael competed in 6 open tournaments, placing 3rd at the Kaufman/Brand/Bayly and Lindenwood Opens and was Champion of the Doane Open in Crete, NE. Michael is a standout in the classroom picking up NWCA All-Academic honors and the Dr. Lombardi Saint Award. He is an Academic Dean’s List Student. Michael also picks up the Rebounding Power Award, Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Award and the GRIT Award for his efforts on and off the mat. Michael was named Wrestler of the Week five times and won the OOOSSS Award once.

2016-17: Michael battled back from shoulder surgery that kept him out of action most of the season. Michael competed in the Indianapolis Greyhound Open and went 2-2, where he picked up a major decision (8-0) against his teammate Nick Greco and a 4-1 decision over Kyle Kaminski of Ohio University, but did not place. Michael won the team’s Rebounding Power award for fighting back from his shoulder surgery to get back on the mat. Michael will provide depth and is looking to compete for time in the 2017-18 Maryville lineup.

Michael is the son of Donnie and Tanya Peters. He wrestled at Quincy High School in Quincy, Illinois.

HONORS & AWARDS 2020 2X NWCA Scholar All-American
2020 Staying Power Award
2020 Rebounding Power Award
2020 Dr. Lombardi Saint Award
2020 GLVC All-Academic (3x)
2020 Div II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award
2019 Overtime Award
2019 Staying Power Award
2019 Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Warrior Award
2018 Most Improved
2018 Outstanding Redshirt Freshman
2018 Most Falls (14)
2018 20 Match Winner (24)
2018 NWCA All-Academic
2018 Varsity Letter Award
2018 Rebounding Power Award
2018 Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Award
2018 Dr. Lombardi Saint Award
2018 GRIT Award
2018 Wrestler of the Week (5x)
2018 OOOSSS Award (1x)
2017 Rebounding Power

HIGH SCHOOL
Michael is a 2X High School State Qualifier, 2014 Cliff Keen Nationals All-American (3rd Place) and 2013 NHSCA Nationals All-American (7th Place). Michael is a 3X Fargo Nationals Qualifier in Freestyle, 3X Regional Champion, 3X Conference Champion and 2X Sectional Tournament Place Finisher (2nd and 3rd Place). Michael was also a 2X Birman Holiday Tournament Place Finisher (1st and 3rd Place), 4X Northern Plains Regional Tournament Place Finisher in Freestyle (4th, 2nd, 6th and 3rd) and 2X Northern Plains Regional Tournament Place Finisher in Greco (4th and 4th).

High School accomplishments:
2 X High School State Qualifier
2014 Cliff Keen Nationals All-American (3^rd Place)
2013 NHSCA Nationals All-American (7^th Place)
3 X Fargo Nationals Qualifier in Freestyle
3 X Regional Champion
3 X Conference Champion
2 X Sectional Tournament Place Finisher (2^nd and 3^rd Place)
2 X Birman Holiday Tournament Place Finisher (1^st and 3^rd Place)
4 X Northern Plains Regional Tournament Place Finisher in Freestyle (4^th, 2^nd, 6^th and 3^rd)
2 X Northern Plains Regional Tournament Place Finisher in Greco (4^th and 4^th)

High School career record: 158 – 25
 
ABOUT MICHAEL
Birthday: 1/13/98
Nickname: The Sandman
Parents: Donnie and Tanya Peters
Siblings: Matthew Peters
HS coach’s name(s): Phil Neally
Greatest moment in wrestling: Wrestling at the Beach Wrestling World Championships in Turkey
People who have had the greatest influence in your life: My Parents and Coaches
Favorite athlete: Mario Lemieux
Favorite entertainer: Matthey McConaughey
Favorite food: Cheesecake
Favorite book: Make Your Bed
Favorite wrestling move: WIN WIN
Favorite quote: “It’s what you do in the dark that puts you in the light.”
Craziest ambition: Skydiving
I came to Maryville because: I liked the atmosphere around campus and it felt like a great fit the first time I came to campus
Best sports advice ever received: Have fun
Something people don’t know about me: I have a pet dragon
10 years from now: Running my own business and coaching