 | Position:
Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach
|
|
A former graduate assistant at Florida State and most recently an assistant at Pepperdine, Emma Petersen assumes the helm as UC Davis’ newest head cross country coach.
Petersen will head the Aggies’ two cross country teams and assist Sheffield during the winter and spring as the distance coach for the women’s indoor track & field program plus the outdoor track & field teams. She will also assist with recruiting efforts for each of those five sports. Her appointment takes effect on July 9, 2018.
“I am beyond excited to join the UC Davis Aggie family,” Petersen said. “I know what an amazing university and community I will be joining, and I’m looking forward to working with the exceptional student-athletes that UC Davis attracts. I would like to thank Coach Sheffield and the athletics department for giving me this opportunity and believing in my vision to return UC Davis cross country back to the championship level. I cannot wait to get on campus, meet the current team and get to work on creating of culture of success.”
Formerly Emma Reed, Petersen served one season with the Waves under the direction of veteran mentor Robert Radnoti. During that short stint, Pepperdine enjoyed its first All-West Coast Conference honoree in a decade, thanks to junior Nick Heath’s 15th-place finish at the conference championship. Petersen previously worked with Florida State’s distance runners from 2015-17 while earning her master’s degree in sports management. The Seminoles finished in a tie for 19th place at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in her final season in Tallahassee.
Originally from Bristol, England, Petersen also coached at Eastbourne College (2014-15) and the Bristol & West Athletic Club (2012-13) after her graduation from the University of New Mexico. She earned a postgraduate certificate in education from West of England during that span.
“Emma is a very enthusiastic coach who will really bring a high level of energy to our program,” said Sheffield. “This is her first time as a head coach, so it’s a good beginning for her. UC Davis is about providing opportunities to individuals who strive to be better. And being a former distance runner, she sees things from the inside out. Her experience will better connect with our student-athletes.”
As a collegian, Petersen first competed at Boston University, where she helped her team finish second at the America East Conference cross country meet. She also contributed team points at the AEC indoor and outdoor track championships in 2008. Petersen then transferred to UNM, helping the Lobos to three Mountain West Conference titles and an 18th-place showing at the NCAA cross country meet. She also placed seventh in the steeplechase at the 2011 MWC championships.
In the classroom, Petersen earned a pair of MWC Academic All-Conference nods, served on the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council, and represented the institution at the NCAA Leadership Conference. She graduated from New Mexico with degrees in geography and economics in 2012.
