"That was pretty amazing. To be swimming you'rewhole life, and to hear that," Peterson says.

Peterson shouldn't be so surprised. From anearly age, the senior made a serious commitment toswimming and balancing academics with athletics.

Country Club Level

Though he began on the country club level, hequickly elevated his competition. Swimming forformer Harvard coach Joe Bernal's club team (theGators) and on his high school team, Petersonspent almost five hours in the pool five days aweek.

That doesn't include meets. Or the 45 minuteshis parents had to drive him to train underBernal.

"I started swimming with the Gators becausethey were the best team in the state. I lovedswimming, and I enjoyed winning," Peterson says.

And win he did--collecting honors throughouthigh school including a bid to the seniorNationals.

Despite the success, Peterson never seriouslyconsidered going anywhere other than Harvard. WithBernal, then the coach of the Crimson, and hisacademic priorities firmly fixed, Peterson sawHarvard as the ideal school for him to blendathletics with regular college life.

Sights Still High

But that didn't mean he set his sights as aswimmer any lower.

"Coming to Harvard my goal was to be anAll-America. I swam with David Berkoff before, andI knew the possibility was there from Harvard,"Peterson says.

After his light taste of the NCAAs in 1990,Peterson committed himself fulltime during hissenior year. But, now that he's realized hisdream, the All-American is more eager to talkabout the success of his teammates and Harvardswimming than his own accomplishments.

He believes he has made a statement for Harvardand the Ivy League, in general.

"A lot of people have this idea that theEasterns in just an overrated high school meet.There's a lot of hype so people do well. And thenwhen they get to nationals, they fall flat ontheir faces," Peterson says. "I wanted to becomean All-American almost as much to improveHarvard's and the Ivies' name. I wanted to improveour swimming reputation."

When Peterson says this, you can't help butbelieve him. Articulate and softspoken, he carriesno traces of brashness or cockiness.

There's just confidence, sincerity,determination and humility. He doesn't sound likethe average college star.

Then again, why should he? He's not. He's anAll-American