Hard-earned success has made Riglee Peterson the ‘Michael Jordan of Malad’

MALAD CITY — Senior Riglee Peterson has been a star since the first day she stepped foot on the Malad High School campus. And not just amongst her Dragon softball teammates, but amongst peers statewide.

Peterson was named the 2A MVP at the conclusion of each of her first three seasons, according to head coach Bri Adams, and is a favorite to sweep the award this year, with a 3A MVP.

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The pitcher and infielder has continued her on-field dominance this season, though she has stepped into the veteran leadership role Adams has been pushing her to accept.

“She has been the most incredible leader, this year,” the coach said.

Peterson, Adams added, has been productive enough to be a leader since her freshman season, but was happy to take the backseat to the more established players.

“This year, she’s fully taken on and run with the fact that she is a natural leader, and the kids look up to her so much,” Adams said. “It’s pretty great to have a kid like that be part of the program, that the kids want to be like. It’s like the Michael Jordan of Malad.”

Earlier this season, Peterson recorded her 70th career pitching win as well as her 550th career pitching strikeout, both of which Adams believes to be program records.

She is also a mainstay in the heart of the Malad batting order, as a standout with the stick as well.

Adams, battling back tears while speaking about the contributions Peterson has made to Dragon softball both this season and in her high school career, said it is “hard to put into words” those contributions.

“She’s incredible. She’s put in so much time, growing up through the years. It’s rewarding to see it pay off for her,” Adams said. “From year one, as a freshman, (she) just dominated.

Peterson’s graduation this spring will be a “huge loss” for Malad softball, but Adams said she is “very excited” to see what Peterson will do with the Northwest Nazarene University Nighthawks.

“I don’t have enough good things to say about Riglee Peterson. She’s a remarkable young woman,” Adams said.

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Peterson and her fellow Malad seniors have been a part of two state championship runs — and a state runner-up finish last year — and are looking to finish their careers as champs once again. They opened their 3A District 4-5 tournament with a 17-0 victory over Soda Springs, Monday, and will battle Declo Tuesday. Two more wins would give the Dragons a 13th-straight district title.