Petersen signs with Arizona State

CHARLO — With 82 students in high school, opportunities like Jacen Petersen’s don’t come around too often for Charlo, Montana.

So when its favorite son signed his national letter of intent to wrestle for Arizona State Tuesday, the little Lake County school made the most of it.

Thom Peck, superintendent and athletic director at Charlo, used the first day back from spring break to pack the school’s entire student body into the gymnasium to watch Petersen sign.

Though the rather quiet Petersen isn’t really one for attention, he’s going to have to get used to it in Tempe next year.

The senior is the only recruit in his weight class for the Sun Devils.

“Just the thought that I will be wrestling and it will be on national television is kind of what stands out the most,” Petersen told a small group of reporters after the signing ceremony. “That is a big deal.”

Peck’s words to the student body said everything everyone in Charlo already knows.

“This is a kid who is an example of doing things the right way,” Peck said.

“We hope you remember Charlo, Montana,” he added to Petersen, who became the only Charlo athlete ever to sign with a Pac-12 athletic program of any kind.

But just a chance isn’t enough for Petersen; His goal is to excel on the mat.

“I want to be All-American,” he said, “and I know I will work hard enough.”