Laura Peterson Season 2003

Outlook
A graduate of the same high school as senior co-captain Kathryn Handrup, Laura Peterson hopes to make an impact for Nebraska as a freshman.

High School
Peterson ran the fourth-fastest time in all classes and led her team to a third-place finish while claiming an individual bronze medal at the 2001 Nebraska Class B state championships. Returning for her senior year, Peterson led the Huskies to the Class B state title with a seventh-place finish.

On the track, Peterson crossed the finish line in fifth place in the 2002 Class B 1,600-meter run. A foot injury caused her to miss preseason training and the first half of the 2003 track season. Despite being in sub-par condition, Peterson led off the 4x800-meter relay that placed fifth at the Class B state meet last year. Peterson has a personal-best mark of 5:20.63 in the 1,600-meter run.

Peterson attended Polk-Hordville High School, where she was fourth in the 2000 Class D 1,600-meter run as a freshman, and was fifth in the same race in 2001. She then transfered to Aurora before her junior year, where she was coached at Aurora High School by Gary Roth and Ron Haden.

Personal
The daughter of Deryl and Linda Peterson, Laura was born Jan. 25, 1985. Peterson has a brother Eric (26), sisters Krisa (25) and Sarah (22), and a brother Tim (17). A member of the National Honor Society in high school, Peterson will major in elementary education/early childhood.