He combines a strong work ethic, natural talent, solid coaching and commitment and this has catapulted Mitchell (Mitch) Peters into the elite ranks of the swimming world.
Sackville is well represented on the Mountie team with Pat Lamrock and Tara Stokes but easily the star of the organization is the son of head coach John Peters.
This father-son situation has caused no serious problems as the coach says and any situations are left in the pool. All team members are supportive of Mitch and are among his strongest fans. He was easily the most popular athlete at this year's athletic awards banquet as he was singled out for a number of awards following a season that saw him qualify for a host of events at the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) championships.
“He is one tough kid," says coach Peters. "He is on hand for 98 per cent of our practice sessions and although, naturally, we have our moments, our situation is like any other coach-athlete relationship - and any conflicts are left behind when we emerge from the pool."
The coach says Mitch has a great work ethic and he rates him as having the most potential of any athlete he has coached in Sackville. Peters doubles as head coach of the Sackville Swim Club (SSC) as well as that of the Mounties.
"Until this past year I would have said Kent Coates was my top prospect, but after what Mitch accomplished over the past season I don't think there is any question.”
Paul Berry, one of the top Mountie swimmers in the early days of the team, confirms that Mitch is a hard worker and has already exceeded all expectations. Berry is manager of the SSC and received provincial recognition recently for his contributions as volunteer of the year. At the same time John Peters was named coach-of-the-year for New Brunswick.
Berry agrees that Mitch is one of the best swimmers ever to come through the minor system and continues to develop and improve.
The 20-year old Mitch Peters is a graduate of Tantramar High School and will be entering his third year at Mount Allison, majoring in anthropology. He says he really enjoys archeological digs and is looking forward to pursuing archeology as a career, probably in the field of research.
Mitch is the eldest of four extremely athletic children. Michael is into weight lifting, track, swimming and basketball. Marya has developed into an outstanding swimmer, track star and soccer player while the youngest, Martin is into swimming. They appear to be following in their parent’s footsteps, as both John and Lisa were outstanding athletes and continue their conditioning programs.
Mitch has also participated in triathlons but his first love is in the pool. He can still do the running and biking but tends to stay away from most meets.
Over the years he has been swimming Mitch has rewritten the SSC record book, often breaking his previous marks. But perhaps his greatest accomplishment came during the past season. With just one week remaining to qualify for the national championships he posted times that took him in the 100, 200 and 400 metre freestyle events and he also participated in the 50.
Coach Peters says he hopes his son will post qualifying marks early this coming season so he wont have to cram and wear himself down just as the championships are to begin.
Mitch admits that he was tired; not only from racing all-out just to qualify but also because of a difficult travel schedule, which meant he was not up to his best.
During the season he also qualified for an Olympic tryout and those close to the scene believe he will do even better in the years ahead. Certainly everybody in this area will be rooting for Mitch to become the first Olympian from Sackville.
His accomplishments are beyond listing. He served as co-captain of the provincial Canada Games team, establishing freestyle records in most freestyle events. This past season his peers recognized him as athlete of the year and the Mounties named him rookie of the year last year. Now he faces several challenges - he has set the bar so high during his freshman and sophomore years that there are expectations that he will step his game up a notch to be recognized among the elite swimmers in the country, not just in the Maritimes.
When asked if he had been nervous at the nationals when he was in the next lane to an Olympic swimmer, Mitch said he maintained his poise and smile in spite of the tension he felt. As a matter of fact he made the race close for a lap or two and knows he is capable of doing better.
He is convinced from experience that the Sackville Swim Club, although relatively small, is one of the best in the Maritimes, usually producing champions year after year.
"He is a great team leader," says a proud father and coach, "and only the future will let us know how far he can go."
