Lilah Peterson is a senior member of the West De Pere track and field team. Submitted Photo

By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent

Name: Lilah Peterson

School: West De Pere

Sport: Track and field

Parents: Krista and Luke Peterson

Twitter: @PetersonLilah

Lilah Peterson is a senior member of the West De Pere track and field team.

In 2021, she participated in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association state meet in the 4×100 relay, placing eighth with her teammates.

In addition, Peterson was a first-team all-conference selection in the Bay Conference.

Once she reaches college, Peterson said she’s looking to expand her horizons and make new friends.

What are your goals for the 2022 season?

“I hope to continue bettering myself as an athlete and a person.”

Talk about the exhilaration after finishing a race.

“It’s one of the best feelings because the nerves disappear.”

What’s been your toughest race ever?

“At state my junior year. The night before I was supposed to run, I had the stomach flu. I was up sick all night and was exhausted from my race. However, it ended up being one of the best races I ever ran.”

Do you prefer the Bellin Run or the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon?

“I’ve never run a marathon because I’m a sprinter, and it wouldn’t help me to train long distances.”

How do you slow your breathing in a race?

“Understanding it’s one race and I’ll be proud of whatever I run no matter what. I’ve found every time I went into a race with a good attitude, I received my best times.”

If you could be somebody for a day, who would it be?

“Elaine Thompson-Herah (Jamaican sprinter) because she gets to train for her favorite sport as her profession.”

Favorite running spot outside of competition?

“On the treadmill because I can pace myself.”

What’s your favorite running event to watch in the Summer Olympics?

“The steeplechase because of the obstacles and how it gets more difficult the longer a person runs.”

Slow or fast start?

“It’s important in short sprints to have an explosive, fast start.”

What makes a good friend?

“Someone who is always there for me.”

What four words describe you? 

“Stubborn, cheerful, responsible, intuitive.”

Talk about your stretching routine before a competition.

“Normally, I do a variation of the stretches I do in warmups along with a couple of short sprints to get my body moving.”

What shoes are best for running events?

“It depends on the kind of track I’m running on. During the indoor season, I like Brooks, but when I’m running on an outdoor track, I like using Nike spikes.”

If you didn’t run track and field, what other sport could you have excelled in?

“Soccer because I like playing the sport in the offseason.”

What’s your favorite sporting event to watch at West De Pere?

“Football because of the atmosphere it creates.”

How many miles do you typically run a week in the offseason?

“I normally just lift in the offseason.”

Favorite sound of spring?

“The sounds of birds chirping.”

Three cities you’d like to visit?

“Nashville, New York, Paris.”

What’s your take on marathon runners running at the speed some ride a bicycle?

“It’s interesting – they must have worked hard to run that fast.”