NEW COACH SPOTLIGHT Taking charge New Coach Bret Peltier takes charge of Falcons wrestling team

by Justin Baxter

This year the Falcons will have a new head coach for the wrestling team, Bret Peltier. Fans can come out and support the Falcons on Dec. 12 at 5:30 at Indian Land High School.

Coach Peltier embraces the challenges ahead of being the head coach but also likes helping the athletes increase their skills.

“I am determined and open to the challenges that head coaching provides while producing highly skilled and winning athletes,” he said.

Coach Peltier is a former college wrestler.

“I took the head job because I love Nation Ford High School and the sport of wrestling,” he added.

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Peltier spent his first six seasons as an assistant coach on the wrestling team. “I felt that it was my time to take the head job and lead this program to accomplishments the program has yet to reach,” he said.

Coach Peltier plans to change the culture and more in reference to his team, now having the head job.

“The culture of the team is the biggest part I will change,” Peltier said. “... I look to create a culture of wrestlers who are determined, highly skilled, resilient and relentless on the mat.”

Coach Peltier says he strives to have one of the best wrestling teams that is mentally and physically prepared.

“We will be the best conditioned, mentally tough and physical wrestlers when we step on the mat,” he

“Wrestling is the toughest sport in the world–it will kick and push you down time and time again. Being able to push back and fight even in the face of defeat is something I strive to instill in my athletes.”

Wrestlers are also looking forward to their season. “I look forward to getting better in every aspect, and as a senior, I’m going to work hard,” Hanson Nguyen (‘23) says. “My personal goal this year is to make States.”

Peltier says he has plans for the team even when players are not on the mat. “I look to build a family atmosphere where the athletes and families feel like they are part of something bigger.” His efforts are already paying off.

“I love Coach P’s energy and how we can run to him as a coach and as a friend,” Nguyen said.

The team has attracted new wrestlers this season.

“We have the most wrestlers on the team we’ve had since I’ve been wrestling,” Nguyen added.

With this being Coach Peltier’s first season as the head coach, he plans to make things more fun as well, but he’s confindent and his goals are clear.

“I plan to see a team that will be relentless in every match, win or lose. We will be better conditioned, mentally tough and physically tougher than our competition this year,” Peltier said.

“If we wrestle the way I believe we are capable of. We can and will put a region banner in the gym and take a school record to the state tournament...”