Wheaton College Athletics

Pete Willson burst on the wrestling scene as a freshman at 145 pounds. Pete was the runner-up for the Dawson Award, and placed high in the NCAA meet at the University of Illinois. As the team won 9 of 10 matches his sophomore year, Pete moved up to the 155 pound slot. Wheaton capped one of its most successful seasons ever by placing third at the Case Tourney in Cleveland; two points behind Michigan State and Waynsburg, Pa. State and Pete won his weight class.

During his junior year the team went 5-2-1 against the likes of Wisconsin, Iowa, Bradley and Iowa State Teachers. The Crusaders also won their third-successive Wheaton Invitational title and placed second to Michigan State at the Case Tourney. Pete had a personal record on 11-2-2. Wilson captained the team his senior season to a 9-3 dual meet record, including the fourth-straight Wheaton Invitational crown. He personally won his fourth-straight title.

Pete returned to Wheaton in 1964 as Alumni Field Secretary. In 1969, he joined the Wheaton faculty as a professor of physical education until his retirement. In 1964, he began coaching the wrestling team alongside Coach George Olson. Pete took over as the head coach in 1974 and served in that role until 1990. He returned to coach the team in the 1995-96 season, coaching his grandson, Paul Elsen, to the first of his two NCAA Division III national championships at 177 pounds. Following the 2001 Wheaton College Wrestling Invitational, the event was renamed to honor Pete Willson, for all that he has given to the Invitational and to Wheaton College. It is now named the Pete Willson Wheaton Invitational.