EDITOR'S NOTE: The Swnews4u.com Athlete of the Week is a web-only feature that will publish each Thursday or Friday throughout the calendar year.
By Rob Serres, Cassville/Potosi assistant track and field coach; former Platteville High School cross country and track coach

Jean Peterson, Platteville High School cross country
PLATTEVILLE — I would like to share with you a true story of courage, perseverance, determination and inspiration.

Once upon a time, there was a young girl who had a dream of one day running on a high school cross-country team.

This young girl acquired this dream by watching and running along side an older sister and brother who ran cross-country and competed for Platteville High School. Soon this young girl entered junior high school and her dream was soon to become a reality.

Her 8th grade and freshmen years were approaching quickly, but just as quickly, she was stricken with a deadly disease called cancer.

Jean Peterson struggled through the nausea and sickness that surround this dreaded disease. She struggled through the cancer treatments meant to extend her life. Her life marched on, but the cancer gradually weakened her body. It also took her hair. It’s tough to be different at an age when you are trying to fit in. Jean rarely complained, and she tried to remain as positive as possible throughout her illness. At this point, most peoples dreams of running on a high school cross country team would have faded, and been replaced with other, seemingly, more important thoughts.

However, Jean’s dream lived on. In the fall of 1993, Jean became a member of the Platteville High School cross country team.

Her original intention of becoming a runner was weakened by the cancer and put on hold for the time being. She undertook the job of becoming the manager.

Deep down, Jean wanted to pursue her dream of running in a high school cross-country race.

When her strength allowed, Jean participated in the practices, attempting to condition her weakened body. Her goal, what might seem quite modest to most of us, was simply to make it one mile without having to stop; not merely stop running, but literally not having to physically come to a complete stop. That meant running and/or walking. This was the type of condition Jean was battling.

Every chance Jean got, she struggled desperately to make it the one mile distance. Wach attempt, ended in frustration.

Jean was never able to complete that one mile distance in any of the practices. At night, in complete darkness, she and her mom would sneak up to the track to try and complete the four laps needed to achieve her goal.

But, her body was just too weakened to complete the task. Against great odds, her desire, her courage, her determination, and ultimately — her hope — forced Jean to continue to try.

The Madison West Invitational, JV division, 1993. Jean Peterson was determined to run in the race and to complete one mile of the two-mile distance.

Her dream of competing in a high school cross country race was about to become a reality, even if she couldn’t finish the distance.

Little did we know at the time, that this one race would change the lives of so many people. This heroic race was a race of perseverance and inspiration.

As the starting gun went off, the pack moved down the course, leaving one runner behind. When most all of the runners had reached a quarter mile, Jean had barely made it 100 yards.

Coach Dick McKichan, Mike Mergen and myself were fortunate enough to be a part of this inspiring effort. We jogged along with Jean, urging her on each yard of this trial.

A puzzled look from the LaCrosse Central coach Scott Anderson, sent me over to explain to him why this girl with the bandana on her head was moving along at a snail’s pace, with two coaches and a parent at her side.

I briefly told him the story of Jean’s illness, and of her courage and desire to compete in a high school cross country race.

He looked away and with tears in his eyes, simply said, “This is a story the whole world needs to hear.”

I rejoined Jean’s run. A few yards later, a girl approached and wanted to know what was happening, I gladly shared the story with her also.

At about 600 meters, Coach McKichan and Mr. Mergen trotted off to cheer on the rest of the girls from our team.

Now, it was only Jean and I, as we quietly made our way into the wooded portion of the course.

Over the next 700 meters, Jean continued to push her body. She would start to walk; and then, just when it seemed that she was about to quit, she would begin running, walk and run once again.

To this day, I still marvel at her determination. At about 100 meters before the mile mark, there was a slight hill, and the mile mark was just out of sight.

Although it was only 100 meters away, it could have been a thousand. Jean’s body was beginning to shut down.

It was at this point, that I realized how terribly grueling and frustrating this was for her. Jean began to walk, very slowly up the hill.

Even with my heartfelt urging and her desperate desire, we both knew it was just a matter of time before her body would give up. The only thing keeping her legs moving one step at a time was her unbelievable perseverance and her prayer filled hope of finishing.

Her desire to continue was of a strength that would fuel an Olympic champion. I’m certain that if she could have had the body of a healthy person, she would have run with the wind.

All she ever wanted to do was run — something so many of us take for granted. She just wanted to run, without the pain of cancer. In that one brief moment, I wished I could have given her my lungs and my legs.

As we slowly and painfully crested that hill, 50 meters from the mile mark, Jean was greeted by the sight and the cheers of at least two dozen runners. Girls and boys from many other teams, as well as our own, had assembled together to bring Jean home through her “finish line”.

With 50 meters to go, a “second wind” surged through Jean’s body. She began to run!

First slowly, and then, amongst the cheers of the crowd, with her arms extended, she raced through her “finish line” breaking her imaginary tape. Jean had won her race!

On a Saturday morning in September 1993, Jean Peterson became a hero. Jean inspired a crowd of people with her courage. Each person who was compelled to be a part of that magnificent event will undoubtedly remember the moment for the rest of their lives.

As beautiful as it was, there was also a strong sense that this race would be her last.

On Feb. 11, 1994, Jean Peterson passed away.

Jean passed physically, but her spirit will live on as long as this story is read or told.

It’s a story the whole world needs to hear!

It is a true story of courage, perseverance, determination, and inspiration.

This is a story of sport at it’s greatest. It is a story of striving for and reaching your goals under the greatest of odds.

Whenever you feel that you are just too tired, too sore, too lazy, or feel that you “just can’t do it”, think of Jean Peterson. Think of her courage, her desire, her dedication, her goals and her positive attitude.

When you do, you WILL find that you are not as tired, or as sore, or as weary as you think. Maybe then, you CAN do it, and maybe, just maybe, Jean Peterson will be running at your side.

See the finish line, and catch that “second wind”. But, most importantly, don’t ever take the wonderful gifts you have been given, for granted; and don’t ever give up on your dreams.

You are among the thousands of people who have now heard this true story of Jean Peterson. Any time you are given the chance, her story needs to be told.

Each year following Jean’s passing, the Platteville cross country teams placed flowers in remembrance of Jean at the mile mark of the Madison West Invitational.

In 1996, the Madison West Invitational was no longer held at it’s traditional sight, and PHS began competing in another invitational.

At that time, a new tradition for the runners of PHS began. The Hillmen teams began laying flowers at the mile mark of their own Platteville Invitational.

The memory of Jean Peterson and her courage lives on. Runners from other schools still ask about the flowers, allowing another opportunity to tell Jean’s story.

Platteville High School also continues to recognize one of its runners with the Jean Peterson Award each year. This award goes to individuals who inspire others to give their all.