Issue date: 10/30/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Nicholas Badger [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Nicholas Badger [Click to enlarge]

Laid back. Calm, cool, collected. Relaxed. Going with the flow. "Pete."

Tonight, senior defender Emily Peterson will be closing out her five-year run as a mainstay in maroon. She's been the backbone of a successful team for years. She's been a team leader. She's been on All Big 12 teams. She's won numerous awards for academic achievements.

And she's posed as a zombie for an entire student body to view. Plainly, "Pete," as she is affectionately called, has had an eventful stay at Texas A&M, but all the while she has remained as loyal and appreciative as when she arrived in College Station four and a half years ago.

"I'm laid back, carefree, lackadaisical to a fault," Peterson said. "I can be serious when I need to, but most of the time, I'm pretty chill."

When a dream day consists of sipping hot chocolate by a fire in a cabin surrounded by snow while reading "Lonesome Dove," one could say that down to earth is the best way to describe the Tulsa native.

Peterson is fond of "Slumdog Millionaire." Her musical oasis is found when listening to, coincidentally, Oasis, "Don't look back in anger." Her true bliss is found when consuming a hearty helping of steak, shrimp, rice and fried okra. And she has an odd propensity for the celebrity crush (Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Jude Law and the list goes on).

The future investment banker already has a job in place, but she is still, nonetheless, living in the present, more specifically, a certain four-month trip that will be taken with roommate Micah Stephens in late January.

"We're hitting everywhere. South America, Australia, India, Nepal, China, Russia, Cairo," Peterson said.



Before the around-the-world trip takes place, Peterson has her sights set on closing out her senior season correctly: by defeating Texas at home for the first time in her career and, winning the prestigious Lowe's Senior CLASS Award she, along with nine other players, is nominated for.

"It means a lot to know that someone thought highly enough of me to nominate me for such a prestigious award, and that thousands of people have voted for me since," Peterson said. "I truly appreciate everyone's support."

The elder statesman has assumed a leadership role on a team of 19 underclassmen. Peterson said the freshmen and sophomores do not have a hard time relating with somebody who already has her future set in the real world.

"We don't have different classes," Peterson said. "A freshman is as equal to a senior. I love the underclassmen. I really do have a hard time differentiating between the classes because I get them so confused."

As the No. 20 Aggies close out the regular season, the team is looking toward the postseason. Potential Big 12 championships await. And as the Aggies hope to move on towards the program's first Final Four, they will be looking to their defense more than ever. The backline has been responsible for eight shutouts already, and Pete sees a unit that has been growing since the season began.

"You can really tell just with playing these Big 12 games," Peterson said. "We've won and lost some big ones. Through all of those, everyone has matured. All of the freshmen are stepping in and taking big roles. Our offense started great and finally our defense is coming together. We've had as many shutouts this year as last year. The defense is pretty much solidified."

"I've been lucky enough to do a lot of things," Peterson said. "Doing business. Getting involved in as many things as I can. Making great friends. When I look back, it's amazing that five years have gone by. I've been able to do a lot."

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