Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

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October 4, 2022
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Rising track star resembles returning Longhorn Olympian

CACTUS_2011-10-21_AllisonPeter_Caleb
Caleb Fox

Allison Peter, a sophomore, has drawn comparisons to former Longhorn and Olympic gold-medalist Sanya Richards. (Cactus yearbook file photo)

Head coach Beverly Kearney sees many similarities between sophomore Allison Peter and former Longhorn Sanya Richard-Ross.

“The only difference between Sanya Richards and Allison Peter is that Sanya Richards came in way more developed — both mentally and physically,” Kearney said. “It’s taken some time for [Peter] to really realize how great she really is. And so physically she’s catching up and as we can see mentally, she’s really beginning to step up.”

Richards-Ross will return to her alma mater this week for the Texas Relays. The NCAA Champion and Olympic Gold medalist is scheduled to run in the 100-meter dash. She will also run a leg as part of the Hart of Texas relay team in the 4×400 meter relay — the same event in which she, as a sophomore, and her teammates set the still-standing Texas Relays record in 2004.


Kearney embraces the return of former Longhorns because it gives current athletes a standard to reach.

“We’re going to have just an amazing group of former Olympians competing,” Kearney said. “I’ve got to give a little love to the Texas Olympians that are going to be competing here this weekend … It’s just an amazing opportunity for us to honor and get an opportunity to watch Texas Olympians.”

With two second place finishes at the 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships, in the 200-meter and as part of the 4×400 meter relay, there is no doubt that Peter is on a fast track to establishing herself as one of the best athletes in the nation. In a whirlwind of recent success, the sophomore has turned to Kearney, as well to former athletes such as Richards-Ross, for motivation and guidance.

“Her humbleness and her composure — that’s what I admire about her,” Peter said.

Richards-Ross’ returning to the Relays is an incentive for Peter, who has intentions of pursuing a professional career as an athlete, to fully realize her potential.

Printed on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 as: Coach likens Peter to UT Olympian

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Rising track star resembles returning Longhorn Olympian