Dana Peterson is one of the few three-sport athletes on campus and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“The best part about playing three sports it that the season never ends because when one sport ends, another is beginning,” Peterson, junior education and special education major, said. “I love being part of a team and playing along my best friends on game days.”
Peterson has always been extremely active in athletics, playing three sports in high school as well: basketball, soccer and softball. She has continued to play basketball and soccer from her high school days but decided this year to join the lacrosse team.
“This is my first year playing three sports at Cabrini and it is also my first time playing lacrosse. At the time my high school didn’t have lacrosse and it wasn’t really popular in my area,” Peterson said.
“Being a first time lacrosse player she wasn’t expected to be the best but she comes to every practice open minded and tries just as hard as everyone else,” lacrosse teammate Bree Thompson said. She has done a great job so far, it’s nice to see someone who never played lacrosse before come out and enjoy the game on and off the field,” Thompson, senior criminology major, said.
Peterson doesn’t just play sports she excels at them.
Peterson was named 2014 CSAC Player of the Year in soccer and for good reason. She led her team with 11 goals, fourth in the CSAC in goals and was second in the CSAC with five game-winning goals.
“Dana is so fun, she is very serious but also very fun to play with. She is the hardest working person I have ever played with,“ soccer teammate Emily Dayton said. “She’s a great team leader and really lives up to her status as captain,” Dayton, senior communications major, said.
Peterson is also the starting point guard for the Cabrini women’s basketball team. She led her team in assists with 3.2 assists per game. That was enough to rank sixth in the CSAC in assists. She also contributed 8.4 points per game while shooting over 40 percent from the field.
“Dana is very kind. She listens, she takes on a leadership roles, she does exactly what is asked of her,” women’s basketball manager Se’Quia Bailey said. “She is always trying to better herself as a teammate and a player. Bailey, senior communications major, said.
Although Peterson has taken up lacrosse this year, her true passions remain the same.
“Soccer and basketball are two sports that I am very passionate about because of how long I have been playing them. I love being on the field and the court with my team during practices and game,” Peterson said. Lacrosse is a sport that I wish that I discovered earlier, but I am very happy that I had the opportunity to play this season. I have learned a lot so far and I am excited to see where it takes me.”
Peterson has gotten so much more out of sports than just winning and losing, she has made great friends and gained mentors.
“My teammates have become my family and there is nothing I would rather be doing. I get to do what I love with the people I love every day and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Peterson said. “My coaches are also great role models for me and inspire me to be a better player and teammate. I hope to be a great coach one day just like them.”
Peterson also receives a lot of support from the people in her personal life.
“My mom and dad rarely miss a game. My family and friends are my number one fans and without their love and support I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Peterson said.
