SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior swimmer Emma Peters has committed to swim and attend school at the University of San Diego next fall.
"USD has really been my dream school since freshman year," said Peters. "It was one of the first schools I visited and was the first school I talked to. When I sent out emails, they were the first school to respond and write me back. It was so exciting because I have always liked USD."
Peters will swim for Head Coach Mike Keeler and assistant Jaclyn Rosen.
"I liked him a lot," said Peters of Keeler and his staff. "He reminded me of my current club coach who I have a great relationship with and has helped me progress as a swimmer. I am really excited to have a coach I know I can work with really well as well as the assistants, who were really involved in my recruiting process."
Peters narrowed in on USD and the Torrero program early in her high school career.
"Throughout my recruiting process, I really refined it down to what schools I liked," said Peters. "They were all small, private schools in California. I love the weather. USD has the major (Marketing) I am looking forward to studying and there were a lot of great aspects that drew me to them."
Peters specializes in the 100-, 50-, 200- and 500-freestyle events as well as the 100 butterfly. She has been standout for the Troubadours on the SF swim team, as a six-time CIF Sac-Joaquin Sectional Championships finalist. Peters most recently placed seventh in the 200 free and eleventh in the 100 fly last spring.
"USD is getting not only a great swimmer in Emma Peters but also a great teammate and leader," said former St. Francis coach Richard Levin. "She has been our team leader since she was a sophomore. She is a pleasure to coach and always willing to swim what the team needed to be the most successful. She will be missed in the pool for the Troubles next year."
She has swum across the country during her DART career including the Husky meet at the University of Washington, Speedo Sectionals at Texas A&M, and the Mel Zajac International meet at the University of British Columbia in Canada.
"The cool thing about high school swimming is the team atmosphere," said Peters, who swims for DART. "You do not get that with club swimming. You spend a ton of time with your team in the pool training but club comes down to getting your times. At St. Francis, it is about racing for your team, especially at sections and being on the relays."
Peters, who went on an official visit to USD this fall, was excited to make her commitment and focus on her senior year at school and her upcoming season in the pool this spring.
"The senior year as a whole is exciting," said Peters. "There is less pressure because I have already committed but I still want to do well. It will be really exciting to race for my team and be there for my younger teammates to show them the ropes so they can grow into leaders on the team."
Peters stays very busy outside of the pool, serving as a St. Francis Ambassador, Vice President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, a senator on the student government and as a Big Sister.
"I like being a busy person," said Peters. "There are so many things I wish I could do but I can't because of swim. When I have these opportunities at school, I have to take them."
USD is her next opportunity and she is ready for it. She will officially sign with the Torreros at the St. Francis NCAA Signing Day Celebration on Nov. 13 at 8:30 a.m.
Peters' Best Times
100 Free: 52.52
200 Free: 1:54.20
50 Free: 24.33
100 Fly: 57.86
