Name: Graham Peet
Sports: cross country, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field
Hometown: Vashon, Wash.
High School: The Northwest School
Activities/Clubs/Committees: Haverford/Bryn Mawr Orchestra

Why did you choose Haverford?
Academics came first in my choice of college. However, once I had narrowed down my options to a few academically comparable schools, my choice was a bit of a cliché gut decision. Compared to other schools I considered, Haverford has a special culture and feeling of community that I recognized and valued because my high school was quite similar. I remember meeting our cross country coach Tom Donnelly when I originally visited and his bearing was particularly influential. That original meeting helped me develop a more serious interest in Haverford that eventually drew me here.

What is your favorite team experience?
Our Centennial Conference cross country championship last year was probably the best moment of my first year on the team. It was a great when we were able to bring the scoring guys in all very close to each other for a dominant performance, and the whole team seemed to feel similarly excited and accomplished that day.

Why did you choose to play a sport in college?
Beyond staying physically healthy, running was always important to me in high school as a balance to academic work and an opportunity to relax. That role has been even more important in college as the academic expectations grow. Running in college involves a level of seriousness that I did not experience much in high school, but that I believe most people who want to compete in college will look forward to.

What does being a student-athlete mean to you?
The qualities essential to athletics and academics are very similar, and the team has taught me a lot about excellence in both. The daily discipline and routine that Tom and the team emphasize has helped me immensely in adjusting to the expectations of college.

What advice would you give a high school student considering Haverford?
Spending time on campus is by far the best way to get a grip on what the team and campus culture are like. Doing an overnight, attending a few classes, and running with the team are ideal. A lot of the unique and important things about Haverford like the Honor Code system, dialogue in classes, and social culture can only really be experienced first-hand.