Tom Peckham

1985 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

Tom Peckham, a native of Cresco, Iowa, has gone down in Iowa wrestling history as one of the state’s top products. He began his wrestling career long before becoming a member of any team in the Cresco school system. As a fourth grader, he often worked out with the junior high teams. That early experience served him well when he reached the high school level under the tutelage of Coach Chris Flanagan. As a freshman, he recorded a 7-3 record—and those three losses were the only blemishes on his high school career.

From 1960 through 1962, Peckham was unstoppable. He finished with 14-0 records each year, culminating in state championships at 127 pounds as a sophomore, 154 pounds as a junior, and 165 pounds as a senior. Following his high school career, he enrolled at Iowa State University in Ames, joining the team coached by another Cresco native, Dr. Harold Nichols.

As an ISU freshman, he was unable to compete at the varsity level but participated in many open tournaments. Once he joined the varsity squad, more success followed. During his sophomore season, Peckham won the Big Eight Conference title and placed fourth at the NCAA Tournament. In 1965, as a junior, Peckham rolled through his competition, posting a 20-1 record. His only loss came in the Big Eight tournament, a narrow 3-2 decision to Bill Harlow of Oklahoma State. He later avenged that loss by defeating Harlow in the NCAA finals to win his first national title.

In 1966, his senior year, Peckham won his second Big Eight championship and his second NCAA title, beating Oklahoma State’s Fred Fozzard in the finals of both tournaments. Over his collegiate career, Peckham amassed a remarkable 56-2 record, earning a reputation as one of the most dominant wrestlers of his era, known for his explosive takedowns and powerful riding style.

Peckham also excelled on the international stage. He was a member of the 1968 U.S. Olympic Team and was one of five American wrestlers to place at the Mexico City Games, finishing fourth at 191.5 pounds. The following year, he represented the United States again as a member of the 1969 World Team.

Peckham’s contributions to wrestling have been recognized with numerous honors. He has been inducted into the Iowa High School Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa. In 1981, he was chosen to serve as the Grand March Escort at the state wrestling tournament, a prestigious role reserved for Iowa’s wrestling legends. His achievements culminated in 2004 when he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Tom Peckham was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1985 with Cecil Mott.