When United World Wrestling (UWW) and USA Wrestling requested help with officiating, Coach Peter Hammer was there to assist at the prestigious 2026 USMC Junior Nationals in Fargo,ND.Fargoisthesingle largestwrestlingtournament in the world.
It’s also for the best high school wrestlers in the country. Wrestlers from 14 years old to seniors flock to what is known as the Mecca of Wrestling.
Final numbers aren’t in, but it is estimated that Fargo had over 8,000 wrestlers on 30 mats officiated by 295 referees.
Hammer said that switching from coaching to officiating began at the 2026 Pan-American ChampionshipsinCoralville, Iowa. He was wrestling for Costa Rica and UWW dropped major news during his Congressional Meetings. The organization was on a mission to recruit referees from the Pan-American zone to officiate abroad, starting with Fargo. From that conversation, USAW and UWW succeeded in filling 19 of the 295 vacancies. Hammer was among the nineteen after UWW highly recommendedhimtoUSAW. Hammer said it was an amazing experience getting back to officiating.
“This was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a coach and an international wrestler,”Hammersaid.“I’ve not officiated for 12 years. To do this at the ‘Mecca of Wrestling’ was huge for a growth mindset. I’m shocked at how much officiating has changed but thrilled at how it will help with my own coaching and competing. Add to that, the opportunities to officiate internationally for other divisions. It was a huge honor, and I’m grateful.”
Hammer also reflected on the excitement of watching one of his students flourish on the mat.
“I was also excited to be on the mats near our WarHammer Wrestler, Alex Sarabia,” he said. “He represented Madill well for Team Oklahoma, improving his national seeding in the Freestyle 215-lb 16U bracket and made his first appearance in Greco Roman. Roger Frizzell and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”