LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Emma Petersen, a Big West Conference Coach of the Year who helmed a championship team at UC Davis, has been appointed director of men's and women's cross country/track and field at Bellarmine University, director of athletics Scott Wiegandt announced Wednesday.

Petersen succeeds Bellarmine Hall of Famer Jim Vargo, who retired from the director position with the Knights but will remain on staff as a volunteer assistant and coach emeritus.

Petersen comes to Bellarmine after spending seven seasons (2018-24) as the head men's and women's cross country coach at UC Davis in California. In addition to heading the two cross country programs, she oversaw the distance program for the women's indoor track and field team plus the outdoor track and field teams.

"Emma has a proven track record," Wiegandt said. "She's well-connected and ran for (current Louisville Director of Track & Field and Cross Country) Joe Franklin when he was the head coach at New Mexico. She possesses the ability to come in and immediately pick up where Coach Vargo left off."

During the 2021 season, Petersen guided UC Davis' women's cross country team to the Big West Conference championship, marking the first team title for the program since 2014. For her efforts, Petersen was named Big West Conference Coach of the Year. In addition to that championship, UC Davis registered three runner-up finishes at conference meets during her tenure.

UC Davis also garnered prestigious individual accolades under Petersen's tutelage. Brianna Weidler and Sierra Atkins captured back-to-back individual cross country conference championships in 2022 and 2023 while each reaped Big West Conference Athlete of the Year laurels. Big West Freshman of the Year citations were earned in three consecutive seasons as well.

In the 2024 outdoor track and field season, Petersen piloted three Aggies to the NCAA West Regional while Dani Barrett went on to land second-team All-America recognition after placing 11th in the 10000m at the national meet. In total, Petersen oversaw 14 conference champions in her term at UC Davis.

"I'm incredibly honored to be named the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Bellarmine University," Petersen said. "It's a privilege to continue the legacy that Coach Vargo has built, and I'm so grateful to athletic director Scott Wiegandt for his trust and confidence in me to lead this program. One of my biggest goals is to create an exceptional experience for our student-athletes — one that supports their growth not only as competitors, but as people. I'm also thrilled to bring my husband, Drew Petersen, on board as an assistant coach — his passion and experience will be a tremendous asset to our team. As a family, we're so excited to make the move to Kentucky with our son and explore everything this beautiful state has to offer. We can't wait to get started and become a part of the Bellarmine community."

Petersen preceded her stint with the Aggies by serving one season as an assistant coach at Pepperdine University. She was a graduate assistant at Florida State University from 2015-17, with the Seminoles tying for 19th in the NCAA Outdoor Championship in her final season.

As a collegian, Petersen first competed at Boston University, where she helped her team finish second at the America East Conference cross country meet. She also contributed team points at the AEC indoor and outdoor track championships in 2008. Petersen then transferred to the University of New Mexico, helping the Lobos to three Mountain West Conference titles and an 18th-place showing at the NCAA cross country meet. She also placed seventh in the steeplechase at the 2011 MWC championships.

In the classroom, Petersen earned a pair of MWC Academic All-Conference nods, served on the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Council and represented the institution at the NCAA Leadership Conference. She graduated from New Mexico with bachelor's degrees in geography and economics in 2012.

Originally from Clevedon, England, Petersen also coached at Eastbourne College (2014-15) and the Bristol & West Athletic Club (2012-13) after her graduation from New Mexico. She earned a postgraduate certificate in education from West of England during that span and followed by earning a master's degree in sport management at Florida State in 2017.

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