At Missouri, Peterson was an eight-time Big 12 Champion at 800 meters, sweeping all possible titles in his time at Mizzou. The 2004 Olympian brings a unique perspective to Tiger student-athletes as his experiences as an elite runner helps his approach at training and the mental aspect of competition.

In 2004, Peterson made the U.S. Olympic Team in the 800-meters after running for a personal-best time of 1:45.08 at the U.S. Olympic Trials where he finished third. The former NCAA Champion and six-time All-American is still the American collegiate record holder in the indoor 800-meter run after his winning time of 1:45.88 at the 1999 NCAA Indoor Championships in Indianapolis, Ind.

Peterson in his years as a collegian from 1997 to 2000 was a nine-time overall Big 12 Champion, 15-time All-Big 12 performer, and five-time Drake Relays Champion. Peterson holds both the Mizzou school records in both the indoor and outdoor 800-meter run. At the World University Games, Peterson won a gold medal as a member of the 1600-meter relay team and won both silver (2001) and bronze (1999) in the 800m.

Peterson also qualified for the 2001 IAAF World Indoor Championships and the 2004 IAAF World Championships.

Peterson is a 2000 graduate from the University with a degree in hotel and restaurant management.

Peterson was inducted into the University of Missouri's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame, elected on the first ballot as part of the Class of 2005. Peterson is also a member of the Georgia High School Hall of Fame.

Derrick and his wife, the former Liz Young, and daughter Athena,
live in Columbia, Mo.

via USA Track & Field

Career Highlights: 3rd at 2004 Olympic Trials; 2002 U.S. Indoor champ; 2001 USA Outdoor runner-up; 1999 NCAA Outdoor Champion; 2000 NCAA Outdoor runner-up; 1999 World University Games bronze medalist

A former All-American and NCAA champion, Peterson made his first Olympic team in 2004, placing third in Sacramento, with a new personal best time of 1:45.08. Peterson competed at the World Outdoor Championships at Edmonton in 2001, and won his first U.S. title at the 2002 USA Indoor Championships...he won the bronze medal at the 1999 World University Games and is the American collegiate record holder in the indoor 800m (1:45.88). He was an eight-time Big 12 champion in the 800m, six-time All-American and holds the Missouri school record in both the indoor (1:45.88) and outdoor (1:45.18) 800m. He is a student assistant coach with the Tigers...majored in hotel and restaurant management at Missouri...was hit by a car during a training run in the summer of 1995 only several weeks after being in a car accident while driving...he walked away from both incidents...a two-time Georgia state champ and former Georgia State High School Athlete of the Year.

2005: 4th in 800m at USA Outdoor Champs (1:47.30)...DNF at USA Indoors (tripped)...runner-up at Lignano (1:46.09)...ranked #6 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 1:46.09. 2004: 3rd at Olympic Trials 800m (1:45.08PR)...4th in opening round 800m heat at Olympic Games (1:47.60)... 5th in 800m at Tyson Foods Invitational (1:47.31)...3rd at Drake Relays (1:49.55)...best of 1:45.08PR. 2003: 6th in semifinal at USA Outdoors (1:48.83)...1st at Brunswick (1:45.69)...1st in "B" race at Heusden (1:46.13)...best of 1:45.69. 2002: USA Indoor 800m champ (1:46.60)...3rd at USA Outdoors (1:48.14)...1st at Boston (2:19.82i)...6th at Linz (1:48.22)...1st at Stanford (1:47.18)...ranked #3 in the U.S. by T&FN...best of 1:47.18. 2001: Runner-up at USA Outdoors (1:47.40)... 5th in opening round heat at World Outdoor Champs (1:48.56)...6th at USA Indoors (1:51.14)...2nd at adidas Oregon Track Classic (1:46.44)...1st at Peregrine Systems U.S. Open (1:46.03)...4th at Millrose Games (1:50.87)...3rd at Tyson Invitational (1:48.26)...ranked #2 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 1:45.49 in Zurich. 2000: Runner-up, NCAA Outdoors (1:45.18)... 5th, Olympic Trials semis (1:48.10)...Won Big 12 Championship... best of 1:45.18. 1999: Won NCAA Outdoors (1:46.97)... Won Big 12 Championships... 4th, prelims at USA Outdoors... Bronze medalist, World University Games... best of 1:46.75, 1:45.88i. 1998: 4th, NCAA Outdoors... Won Big 12 Championships...6th, semis at USA Outdoors...best of 1:47.14. 1997: 7th in prelims at NCAA Outdoors and USA Outdoors... Won Big 12 Championships...best of 1:48.10.

Derrick Peterson
 806 W. Texas ave.
Columbia, Mo  65202