Trina Peters, a standout student athlete on the Colonels cross country and indoor and outdoor track teams, became the first Nicholls State athlete to be named NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Louisiana.
The prestigious award honors outstanding young women from all 50 states for not only athletic achievement, but also academic accomplishment and community leadership as well.
All who are nominated, which exceeds 300 student-athletes have completed their collegiate athletics eligibility.
“It was a surprise when I first found out; I didn’t think I would win because there were a lot of people to choose from,” Peters said.
Peters may not have thought she would win, however over the past years she has made a believer out of many teammates, teachers and advisers, but none more than athletic advisor Jenny Thompson.
When asked what strikes her most about Peters, Thompson said, “I’m just impressed with the fact that she is a student athlete who graduated with a 4.0 grade point average in mathematics, and she managed to balance sports and being a great student.” Thompson also said that just about every award she has nominated Peters for, she has won.
When asked what her secret is, Peters said, “It is tough to balance several different activities, however my advice to anyone would be that you must have time management.”
Some of Peters’ on the field accomplishments include being a one-time record holder in the 400-meter hurdles, and being an intricate part of the 4 x 800 meter relay team that still holds the record at Nicholls State.
Peters’ academic accomplishments include being selected as a member of Who’s Who Among American College Students, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (2001, 2002), Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society (2002), President’s List (every semester in attendance), Dean’s list (every semester in attendance), and University Hall of Fame, among others.
In her spare time, Peters gives back to the community by serving as a volunteer for high school track and field and cross country teams, volunteering as a math tutor, chipping in as a participant in the Goodwill Drive and filling in as a Nicholls State Kids’ Day volunteer.
When asked how it feels to be put in a position where you can influence children’s lives Peters said, “It’s a position that you get without realizing it. I like it when I can show someone something positive through hard work and dedication.”
Peters not only influences children with her hard work and dedication, but she also helps out former teammates. Shannon Cox, former teammate and present athlete on this year’s track team said, “I can remember Trina as being a very smart person, who motivated me when I was a freshman and had trouble adjusting.”
Presently, Peters is hard at work pursuing a masters of science in Applied Mathematics and works as a teaching assistant in the math department.