Although he lost at the 1932 Olympic Trials as a heavyweight, Pete Mehringer was named to the team when he cut weight to wrestle as a light-heavy. Although Mehringer lost only twice in his career, he never won a national title, his best finish being second at the 1932 NCAA Tournament. Mehringer was much more interested in playing football at the University of Kansas, which he did well enough to be named All-Big Six as a tackle. After college he played pro football with the Chicago Cardinals, and toured as a professional wrestler, mostly in New Zealand. Although at one time he wished to be a doctor, he opted instead for the life of a consulting engineer.