CEDAR FALLS, Ia. — The bulky brace Dylan Peters wears on his right knee is visible proof of the physical toll college wrestling’s four-month grind can take on its competitors.
Northern Iowa’s 125-pound All-American went down with an injury in early December and didn’t return until Friday night. He missed six events on the Panthers' calendar, missed the feeling of lacing up his wrestling shoes and going to battle for seven minutes and missed the camaraderie of life on the road with his team.
“There’s good parts to it, too,” Peters said. “I feel good. I’ve never had a point in the season where I get that little bit of rest.