A’janae PETERSON '23 Recruiting Profile

What details of your life have influenced who you are?

The details of my life that have and still do influence me is my mother and father, they are my two biggest cheerleaders. They both speak life into me and what it is that I can do. I know and understand that there are times they would like to do for themselves but because of the love they have for me they will do all they can to see me succeed in all that I do from my education to my being an athlete. Like most of my peers is not always easy to listen to my parents but at the end of the day I know that they only want what is best for me and will continue to do even we I become an adult.  And a result it is my parents that have influence me to run track.  I guess  running track course through my veins as my mom ran track when she was in high school, and even though she did not have such an opportunity like I do with NCSA I know if she had  she would have taken every advantage and utilize all the opportunities that would be presented to her.  My dad influences me because having been a part of the United States Marine as well as the US Army he has a get it done attitude and mind set, my dad does not back down from too many challenges.  He can see the upside to almost every situation and when he sees that I am not giving it my all he will call me out on it and challenge me to do better. I don’t always like it, but I know that he is right and as a result I then challenge myself to do better whether it is in school or in track. Another person that influence me is my cousin she has ran track ever since she was in elementary school, she is now 18 and preparing for college where she will continue to peruse running

When and how do you become interested in your sport?

            It originally started after my very first track meet when I was in the 7^th grade running for Smith Middle School, and after that track meet I now that I run I have developed a passion for running and each time that I am out there whether it be practice or an event I know that I have to go and give 110%. This season I am on my high school track team where I currently run the 200m and the 4x1 mm relay.

What have you learned about yourself through playing this sport?

            I’m learning that this is a good outlet for me to release any negative energy that would only hinder me from moving forward and improve who I am as an athlete.

What are your academic goals for high school?

            My goals for high school are to continue to raise my grades and GPA because I am student first without having good grades then I would not be must use as an athlete.

For college?

            My goals for college are the same I am a student first with college I have to change my mindset because mom and dad wont’ be there to hold my hand therefore I have remember to stay on top of studies and  do my part as an athlete.

Have you had to overcome any obstacles to get you where you are?

            Yes, one of the obstacles where my grades.  I have always struggled in at least two of my courses which are math and reading, with the help of my mom and teachers that care I have overcome those struggles and have improved in both math and English.

What unique characteristics or skills do you possess?

            I am a self-taught individual, when see something that I am interested in knowing or learning about I will try to do in on my own. For example, I started to braid on myself as and as results I have had numerous of people ask me to do theirs both male and female. I have never taken a cosmetology course. This is something else that has motivated me, and I will be taking course in cosmetology my Sophomore year at the Career Center.