John Peters graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1970. While there, he lettered in football, wrestling and track. Under the fine coaching of Vic Peelish and Fred Hill, he was very influenced to attend college and pursue a teaching degree. He earned a B.A. degree from Glenville State College where he participated in football and wrestled under Coach Whitey Adolphson. In 1974, John accepted a teaching position in Ritchie County in special education which he held for 38 years. John began coaching wrestling in 1975 at Harrisville High School which he revived after a twenty year absence. While continuing as assistant coach for five years, he started the Pee-Wee program which he coached for 15 years. During the 1982 season, John became the head coach of high school wrestling and track. One of his talented wrestlers was three-time State Champion Richard Cokeley. Due to the consolidation of Pennsboro and Harrisville High Schools in 1986, John was hired as wrestling and boy's track coach at Ritchie County High School. He retired In 2001 as head coach, but continued with the Pee-Wee Program and helped implement the middle school program. Two years into retirement, John started coaching and continued as assistant in middle school for the next 6 years along with Pee-Wees. Upon retirement in 2010, he continues to volunteer with all levels of wrestlers. During his varsity coaching career from 1982 to 2001, John had 102 state qualifiers, 41 state placers, 5 state runners-up and 7 state champions. In 1999, he was named the Dix Manning AA Coach of the Year. Some of his other awards were being twice named as The Coach's Association regional coach of the year and the 1998-99 Wrestling Coach of the Year. John was elected to the Raleigh and Ritchie County's Hall of Fame and was a member of the WVSSAC Coach's Committee. John and his wife, Aneta are the proud parents of Melissa, Melanie and Frankie {Beth}. They also have 5 lovely grandchildren.