Humble Roots Heed Results

AMES, Iowa - Self discipline and hard work are what have put freshman cross country team member Taylor Petersen where she is today. With a passion for running and a dream of becoming a veterinarian, Iowa State was the perfect fit for the Gladbrook, Iowa native.

"I kind of knew in my heart that I was going to come (to Iowa State)," Petersen said. "I considered some other schools, but once I visited Iowa State there was just no comparison. It just felt right here."

Petersen's discipline was tested growing up on a farm. From winters of feeding horses in the morning, to summers on the farm gardening, mending fences and caring for her family's gardens, Petersen feels comfortable with the transition to the meticulously scheduled life as a student-athlete.

"I definitely like being busy," Petersen said. "That's how I've been raised and that's just what I'm used to. I wasn't really the typical high school student. I had a lot of different hobbies, but I also enjoyed staying at home and working on the farm, helping mom and dad with chores and the helping out with the livestock."

Petersen hopes her passion for farming will help her with her dreams of being a small and large animal veterinarian. An avid member of 4-H, Petersen showed cattle, horses, sheep, and chickens at the county fair each year and also has been involved in several projects and events for the 4-H community.

While her agricultural background is important, her passion is running. Petersen originally focused on shorter races. Through middle school and early in her high school track career, Petersen focused on running mostly on the 800-meter run, 400-meter dash and the 100-meter hurdles. Halfway though her junior year though, she found her true calling; distance.

"During my junior year of track my coach threw me into the 3,000-meter race to get some points for our team since nobody on our team ran it," Petersen said. "It ended up going really well so I just ended up running that ever since."

After realizing her potential in distance races, Petersen began to focus on running more miles. Having to run by herself in several open races gave her the confidence to run cross country.

Petersen excelled in several high school sports, competing in basketball, soccer and track and field all four years of high school. Petersen played volleyball her freshman and sophomore years, but after running the 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter races in track, she fell in love with cross country.

"Running was my favorite sport and what was most important to me," Petersen said.

While Petersen would be college bound after her senior year, a rough end to her final prep cross country season plugged doubt in the runner's hopes to run at the collegiate level.

"I was having some trouble (in cross country) and was worrying about the track season," Petersen said. "I didn't think I could run with the girls at Iowa State."

After a solid track and field campaign, Petersen's confidence grew. At the 2008 Class 2-A State Track and Field Championships, Petersen finished runner-up in the 1,500-meters (4:49) and placed fourth in the 3,000-meters (10:45). Soon after that performance, her confidence was renewed.

"I'm just excited that I can be on the team and contribute and be able to run with these guys," Petersen said. "I never imagined that I would be running in college. I'm just glad to be here."

Petersen has had a solid start to her freshman year. Running unattached, she finished fifth in her first ever collegiate cross country meet at the Iowa Intercollegiate in Ames. After shedding her redshirt, Petersen had a solid finish at the Roy Griak Invitational, finishing 36th out of a field of 193 runners. Now having been on the Iowa State campus for a few months, she has adjusted very comfortably to the life as a college student-athlete.

"It was really overwhelming at first, but I'm getting used to it all pretty quick," Petersen said. "Practice is a good break from school. Going to classes all day and then getting to take a break and come to practice to run gives me the runners high and then I feel good afterwards and then I can get studying done after practice. I like the structured lifestyle too I'd rather be busy than having nothing to do."

While the cross country season's end is looming, the indoor track and field season will give Petersen a chance to demonstrate that a small town girl from Gladbrook, Iowa can run with anyone.

Players Mentioned

Taylor Petersen

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics