Dec. 4, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M defender Emily Peterson, a fifth-year senior who overcame a serious physical disability to lead her team to the 2009 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship round of 16, was selected as the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award winner for women's soccer on Friday evening.
Peterson maintains a 3.92 grade point average in finance as part of the Mays Business Honors Program. She is a three-time member of the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District teams and the Academic All-Big 12 first team. Peterson was one of 43 top business undergraduates to participate in an intensive professional development program designed to strengthen leadership abilities. She was born without a left arm but participated in team sports since a young age at the encouragement of her parents. Peterson also volunteers for the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children hand camp every year, counseling parents of children with upper-limb differences.
"It is a tremendous honor to be the recipient of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award," Peterson said. "The past five years I have been blessed to go to a school known for its tradition of hard work, whether it is in the classroom, on the field, or around the community. Winning this award is a reflection of that Aggie Spirit and what I love so much about Texas A&M. I would like to thank everyone for their support. I am truly honored."
The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I women's coaches, national soccer media and fans, is awarded annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA® Division I women's soccer. The announcement and trophy presentation were made today by Lowe's during the 2009 NCAA® Women's College Cup® at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in SchoolTM, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. The award identifies personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete, with criteria including excellence in the classroom, outstanding character and community service in addition to competition on the field.
On the pitch, Peterson led the Aggies to their 10th appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16. During the first two matches, she recorded a goal from her central defender position and tallied an assist as well. Texas A&M fell in double overtime to Florida State in the tournament and finished the year 15-7-3 with a final regular-season ranking of No. 22. "I'm so excited for Emily and for her fans at hearing the news of her being selected as the recipient of this year's Lowe's Senior CLASS Award!" Texas A&M coach Emily Peterson in her college years."