Aggie Signee Excels in Sport and Life
May 09, 2005 | Soccer
May 09, 2005
From TulsaWorld.com
Peterson excels in many areas
By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
5/6/2005
JENKS -- Emily Peterson is an All-American girl.
The Jenks senior doesn't remember when she last got a B. The straight-A student will graduate as her school's salutatorian later this month.
On the soccer field, she's equally impressive. Peterson is the Lady Trojans' team captain and already has a scholarship to attend Texas A&M. A two-time Gatorade state Player of the Year, she'll lead Jenks against visiting Yukon in the second round of the state playoffs on Friday night.
"Emily's great all the way around, from her grades, leadership, positive attitude and skill," Lady Trojans coach Mike Carney said. "She's one of the best all time in the state, let alone Jenks."
Meet Peterson and she'll greet people with a smile. Her personality overtakes you and you barely notice her prosthetic left arm.
To see Peterson have so much success, it's easy to think she's had to work hard to overcome her disability.
Instead, she lets everyone know that she's just as normal as everyone else.
"Since I was born with it, this is the way of life I've known," Peterson said. "It's never really impaired me in anything. I just don't see
it as being something that blocks me."
Peterson, the younger sister to two brothers, grew up a sports nut. Basketball, baseball, gymnastics, horseback riding. She didn't let anything slow her down.
Her parents Dennis and Peggy Peterson always encouraged her.
"They were great about it and worked with me to find my own way to do things and not to do it like everyone else does," Peterson said.
A good example came for baseball, when they studied former major leaguer Jim Abbott, a successful pitcher who only had one hand.
Torrey Winchester has played sports with Peterson since they were in the second grade.
"She's very determined and never lets her arm be an excuse for anything," Winchester said. "I rarely remember when it's been an issue."
Carney spent the last 21 seasons coaching the Lady Trojans soccer program. When good players are about to get to high school, he always receives notices.
"Sometimes you hear about players during their eighth grade year, and if they're really good, their seventh grade year," he said.
Carney learned about Peterson when she was still in elementary school.
Plagued by a bad back in her freshman season, she shined in her sophomore season. Her 13 goals and 10 assists boosted the Lady Trojans to their fifth straight state championship.
She'll be a defender at Texas A&M, but she's spent much of her Jenks career on offense.
Her offensive skills, combined with a solid head for the game, make it tough for the opposition.
"Her unpredictability is probably as important as anything," Carney said. "Soccer is a game of opposites. You're always trying to do something opposite of your opponent. Emily does that well."
Like all players, Peterson likes to score goals. But passing remains her favorite aspect.
"I've always been a better passer than a dribbler," Peterson said. "Simple things like that is what I enjoy."
Peterson was named to the 2004 NSCAA/adidas All-America team, which helped her draw plenty of Division I soccer offers.
She was most impressed with Texas A&M, the Big 12 champions last season.
"I visited a few places and felt like A&M is the spot for me," said Peterson, who began playing soccer when she was 6 years old. "The atmosphere is great, and the whole school supports it well. They have intelligent soccer coaches, which will help me improve."
When Peterson announced her signing with the Aggies, soccer coach G. Guerrieri said, "Emily is a quick, tough and very crafty left-footed player who we think will come in and compete immediately for playing time on the left side of our defense."
Peterson heads to College Station next month from summer workouts, but until then, there's some unfinished business.
The Lady Trojans saw their state title streak snapped when they lost to Norman last season.
The pain still hurts and motivated Jenks this season.
"Being a senior this year and after the tough loss last year, I really want it," Peterson said.
With college on the horizon, some athletes lose a bit of their competitive edge. Not Peterson, her coach says.
"She's always giving her all for the school, but more so for her teammates," Carney said.
"She knows they depend on her, and she wouldn't dream of letting them down."
