How Zeeland West's Avari Peddie followed the family footsteps to Central Michigan
ZEELAND - Avari Peddie knew she was headed to Central Michigan University.
After all, her parents went there, her brother played football there, her grandparents were professors there.
But Peddie didn't just want to go to CMU, she wanted to run there.
The Zeeland West senior turned in a stellar junior season on the track, qualifying for the state meet, and getting herself ready for the next step.
Peddie signed a national letter-of-intent to run at Central Michigan University to make that dream a reality.
"This opportunity is a dream come true and it wouldn't be possible without the help of my family, coaches, teammates and friends," Peddie said.
She will be the next in line of several family members who have been athletes at the NCAA Division I school in the Mid-American Conference.
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"I've sort of always seen myself at Central Michigan," Peddie said. "My family has very close ties to CMU, so that played a huge part in my commitment. My grandpa and grandma on my dad's side were professors at Central, along with that my grandpa coached football there, my grandparents on my mom's side both graduated from Central too. My dad played baseball there and my mom did track, so I'm really honored to follow in her footsteps. I also have two very close cousins that played baseball and football there. Finally, my big brother Chase did football there and will be there when I am next year, I'm probably most excited for that."
In addition to that, her parents and brother also were track stars at the high school level, just like Avari - something that has enhanced the family bond.
Peddie set the Zeeland West school record in the 100 and 200 meters and qualified for the Division 1 state meet in the long jump in the spring.
"Everything she does, she does extremely well," Zeeland West coach Aaron Kenemer said. "She is physically prepared and put in a lot of work with her strength training. Mentally, she is prepared, too. I know when she steps up to the line, she has done everything she can to be ready."
That will have her ready to compete at the NCAA Division I level, too.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Avari Peddie followed the family footsteps to Central Michigan
