LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Wesleyan head wrestling coach Colton McCrystal has filled the vacancy on his coaching staff with the hiring of Peyton Robb, it was announced Monday.
"Peyton is a world class athlete that we are really lucky to have with our program" McCrystal said. "His career speaks for itself, but he also has a great mind and approach to coaching. I'm looking forward to having his insight and coaching style add to what we are trying to shape our program into."
Robb comes to Nebraska Wesleyan after completing a coaching internship with the University of Nebraska wrestling program, where he assisted with practice planning, athlete development, and program operations during the 2024 fall semester. He also contributed to research on training methods and trends while maintaining relationships with current and former Huskers.
In addition to his work with Nebraska, Robb has been self-employed as a wrestling camp coach, coordinating and leading youth wrestling camps around the country. His ability to teach technique, inspire young wrestlers, and grow the sport has made him a respected name among coaches and athletes alike.
Robb is also a current Regional Training Center athlete at the Nebraska Wrestling Training Center, where he continues to train and compete at an elite level. A two-time USA Senior National Team member in Greco-Roman wrestling, he has represented the United States in high-level competitions while mentoring younger athletes at the training center.
"I'm extremely excited to join the Nebraska Wesleyan Wrestling staff.," Robb said. "I've known Coach McCrystal for around seven years, and he has helped me in my own progression as a wrestler throughout that time. Now I get to progress as a coach under him while teaching the athletes of NWU what I've been learning for over 20 years now. I'm eager to bring a technical and hard nosed perspective to the NWU wrestlers to make improvements on the mat and to elicit growth outside the wrestling room."
As a student-athlete, Robb put together one of the most successful careers in Nebraska wrestling history. From 2018 to 2024, the Owatonna, Minnesota, native became a four-time NCAA All-American, finishing his career with a 102–35 record and a 15–9 mark in NCAA Tournament competition.
He claimed fourth place at the NCAA Championships and fifth at the Big Ten Championships in 2022 at 157 pounds as a sophomore, then placed sixth at the weight the following season. Robb capped his collegiate career with a seventh-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Championships.
Robb's list of accolades also includes being named the 2023–24 Big Ten Conference Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winner, the 2022 U23 Freestyle World Team member, and the 2020 UNL Outstanding Freshman of the Year award recipient.
The addition of Robb strengthens a Prairie Wolves wrestling program that continues to rise in the American Rivers Conference and on the national stage.
