Jon Speck, Class of 1992: Wrestling

“Speck-tacular” is how the Cecil Whig described Jon Speck in 1992. Four-time All-American and three-time New Jersey State Prep Champion at 171 lbs. and 189 lbs., Speck dominated the mat during his four years at Peddie.

He won the Mercer County Tournament twice and amassed a record breaking 133-24-2 career record, making him both Peddie’s and Mercer County’s all-time most victorious wrestler at the time. The previous record of 125 wins was held by fellow Peddie grapplers Marty and Eric Fajerman. When asked how he felt about setting the record for most career wins, Speck told The Trentonian, “I’m happy with what I’ve done, but it’s a national title that I really want. Records are nice, but they are meant to be broken.”

In 1992, Speck achieved his goal. First, he became State Prep School Champion at 189 lbs. Then, following a two-year drought during which he finished second and third, Speck won the National Prep School Championship by a score of 13-1.

Sometimes considered a “renaissance man,” Speck demonstrated his versatility by adding his classically trained singing voice to the Peddie Singers and the school choir while remaining in the top third of his class academically.

Speck was the two-time recipient of the Robert. L. Tifft award given to Peddie’s most outstanding wrestler. He was also one of the few wrestlers from Mercer County to receive a full college scholarship. At American University, Speck was a four-year starter at 177 lbs. and won 70 matches. He graduated with a B.A. in Justice.

It is our privilege to welcome Jon Speck ’92 into the Hall of Fame Class of 2012.