Peterson honored as the Big Ten Runner of the Week

Sophomore Mindy Peterson was named Big Ten Runner of the Week for the period ending Sept. 1, the league office announced Wednesday. Peterson, a native of Milan, Ill., placed first in the 5k at the Indiana Open August 30. Her time of 18 minutes, 12.20 seconds led the Hoosiers to their first-place finish at the competition. Peterson's performance was the third-best 5K time of her career and is 1:24.40 faster than her time at last year's Indiana Open. Last season she finished in the top three in the six of seven meets in which she competed. She was also IU's top finisher at the Roy Griak Invitational 6K. Peterson, who also runs distance for the track team, finished 16th in the league in cross country and in the top eight in the 1,500 meters outdoor and mile indoor track events. \nBefore her IU career, Peterson was recognized as the Illinois state champion in cross country as a sophomore and senior and was runner-up as a junior. She was also the 800m state champion as a junior and senior and the 1,600 m eter state champion as a senior. Peterson also excels in the classroom, ranking No. 1 in her high school class. She a major in Biology.