Peterson runs now, wants to be dentist later

As a freshman in high school, IU senior Mindy Peterson crossed the Illinois State Cross Country Championship finish line in 26th place. This is outstanding for being only a freshman, but she wasn't just an ordinary freshman. Peterson, a Milan, Ill., native, only ran cross country to condition for her love -- softball -- and she only put in 10 miles of road work during the entire summer. \nThis is outstanding, but not to Peterson. \nShe wound up angry by the fact she missed All-State honors by one place and went back to finish first in two out of the three following state championship meets. Peterson held a 5.3 grade point average, on a 5.0 scale, and was more than thrilled to attend IU for both scholastic and athletic purposes.\nPeterson, now a senior, has a plan to being successful. \n"You have to work hard, set goals, and know what to do and how to do it," Peterson said. "It's the same formula for cross and school." \nPeterson not only has led on the course but she has also maintained a 3.96 GPA while majoring in biology. Last season, she made the Academic All-Big Ten selection for the second straight year, and earned All-American cross country honors after finishing 46th at the NCAA Championships. \nTeammate Kelly Siefker feels Peterson leads the team in many different ways. \n"Mindy is definitely a role model with her grades, work ethic and training," Siefker said. "She always ends up on top."\nPeterson stays supported and inspired by her parents, and she inspires them. In fact, her mother chose to return to college after seeing her daughter successfully go through her first years at IU, and she is now planning on becoming a high school English teacher.\nThe first years were not rough for Peterson. She quickly became close friends with the others on the team. \n"When I first came to IU, it was like you were handed a new family," Peterson said. "You experience almost all of the same things, and you know what each other is going through." \nIU coach Judy Wilson witnessed the relationships grow.\n"She had and still has a passion for the team," Wilson said. "She really cares about all of the girls on the team."\nAfter IU, Peterson has plans on moving on to dental school and then becoming a dentist herself. Her family and her friends support her all the way, and even her younger brother shows love. \nHe wants to be a dentist too.\n-- Contact staff writer Ricardo Hernandez at rihernan@indiana.edu.