UC Davis Athletics

A former graduate assistant at Florida State and most recently an assistant at Pepperdine, Emma Petersen assumed the helm as UC Davis’ newest head cross country coach on July 9, 2018.

Petersen heads the Aggies’ two cross country teams and oversees the distance program during the winter and spring for the women’s indoor track & field program plus the outdoor track & field teams. She assists with recruiting efforts for each of those five sports.

Petersen led UC Davis cross country to new heights in both 2022 and 2023 when she saw Brianna Weidler and Sierra Atkins named Big West Conference Women's Athlete of the Year in back-to-back seasons. Weidler won the individual conference championship in 2022 before Atkins successfully defended the Aggies' title with an individual championship of her own in 2023.

The success in the distance competitions continued for Petersen's squad when she guided three Aggies to the NCAA West Regional during the 2024 Outdoor Track and Field season. Dani Barrett highlighted the outstanding 2024 campaign when she reached the national meet and placed 11th in the 10,000m, securing her spot as a Second Team All-American.

During the 2021 season, Petersen guided the Aggies to the Big West Conference women’s championship, marking the first team title for UC Davis in cross country since 2014. For her efforts, Petersen was named the Big West Conference Coach of the Year.

Petersen has brought in distance talent to Davis, culminating in three-straight seasons an Aggie was named Big West Freshman of the Year. In 2018, Eva Goodisson nabbed the honor and was followed by Chloe Arriaga (2019) and Brianna Weidler (2021).

Each season under her direction, the women’s program has qualified for the NCAA West Regional, while the men have made an appearance the last two seasons.

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.

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.