Saturday, June 7, 2008

Chelsi's Story

On June 6, 2008 Chelsi Petersen and a friend were driving through Provo Canyon. The friend, who was driving the car, made a left hand turn at Squaw Peak and apparently didn't see an oncoming car. They were struck, and Chelsi died at the scene.

Chelsi was a freshman at BYU and was already making her mark as a talented athlete. She had recently finished seventh in the heptathlon at the Mountain West Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The assistant BYU track and field coach Dick Legas said, "She wanted to win every race, everybody she competed against, that's what made her good."

The head track coach at BYU, Craig Poole said of Chelsi's untimely death, "Words cannot begin to express our feelings. It's devastating. Chelsi was one of the sweetest young ladies we have ever had on our team. She had a tremendous desire to be successful. She wanted to be here at BYU, competing, more than anything else in the world. It's just really too difficult to comprehend at the moment."

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chelsi!!
I can not let you know how much I Love you and Loved to be around you! You always made everyone Laugh and were So much fun to be with..You are an AMAZING girl and everyone will miss you So MUCH! I LOVE YOU!!!!
Love Nikki..

Jessie Kae Rutledge said...

Chelsi!
You have always been such an amazing friend! Its crazy to think that we have been friends our whole lives. I'm so grateful that our moms met when they were 4 years old, and that they have stayed friends since then, so that I could get to know you. You are such a beautiful talented person that has so much to offer the world! My favorite thing about you is that you always, no matter what, had a smile one your face. Everyone noticed that and because of your happiness you made other want to be the same! I love you with all my heart and I can't wait to see you again! Thanks for being the person that you are, I've always looked up to you. I miss you so much! I LOVE YOU
Love, Jessie Rutledge

kaylee dawn andrus said...

Chels!
It is always hard for me to start but once i get going hard for me to stop! Lately all I can think about is everything we did together and everything you helped me be! If not for you i wouldn't have played soccer or done track or gym. I wouldn't know that the number 5 at jimmy johns is like the best sandwhich ever. I wouldn't know that you can fry cheese in a pan and eat it for breakfast. I wouldn't know how to introduce myself in a room full of people i don't know. I wouldn't know the meaning of self improvement, i wouldn't know determenation, i wouldn't know priorities, i wouldn't know true kindness or caring, I wouldn't know the meaning of life long friends, I wouldn't know how you can get what ever you want when you put your mind to it, i wouldn't know focus, i wouldn't know what 0% body fat looks like :) I wouldn't know what it looks like to be on top of the world and get all that you dream of, I wouldn't know that even people who seem to have it all do things they don't want to because they have too, without your example and your love, i wouldn't know alot of things! You have helped and taught me much along our 20 year friendship! I thank God for sending a wonderful person like you into my life! I am so filled with joy to know you made it! Save a spot for me and your fam and the rest of the girls! I know you will be our biggest fan as we struggle through life down here! May God be with us til we meet again and may we all remember you each time someone smiles at us! I LOVE YOU! You have stolen a piece of my heart that will always be yours! Love Kaylee Dawn Andrus

Anonymous said...

Chelsi, even though I haven't seen you in a while. You were always someone that I looked up to and loved. Your smile always lit up a room, and your kindness showed on your beautiful face at all times. You were always someone that could be easily approached, and your love for life and your determination rubbed off on anyone who entered your life. You are the epitomy of what I want to be. You have shown what it takes to be the best that you can be. And I will always strive to be like that. I know that Heavenly Father has big plans for you up there. You will be missed more than words, but the work that you will accomplish will be nothing short of a miracle. You must have been too strong of a spirit to accomplish all that the Lord has in store for you here on earth. And I admire you even more for it. Thank you for always being friendly and kind and for letting Christ's light shine through you always. We love you! Just know that your family will be well taken care of down here, see you soon! Love, Tyler, Amy (Ence) and Josie Pratt

Amy said...

Chelsi was such a beautiful girl. I have so many memories of her... I loved how as a little girl she just wore bikini bottams at Lake Powell, how she was born with a six pack and how much fun she was. I can remember the day she was born and how excited we were for Bill and Lisa to have such a darling little baby! Her whole family loved her and so did we! It cracks me up that Lisa thought by getting a girl she was getting a little pink loving prissy princess... She thought wrong! Instead she got a blue lovin' hard working determined BEAUTIFUL girl. Lisa did teach her how to project on stage...if you look at the pictures of her jumping the hurdles- she is smiling. The track was her stage! SHe was so kind and friendly and genuine. We are thinking of the family and so sad. I know that Chelsi is with her Grandpa Shep and he is so happy! Chelsi- we loved you so much and Lisa, Bill, Shayli, Chaz , Jeri and the rest of the Newby family... we love you and are thinking about you all the time. You are in our prayers!

Tavish and Amie Calico said...

I am so thankful for the memories I have with Chelsi. She was such a good friend and I don't even know how she made time for friends in such a busy life, but I am so glad that she did. Not only was she so good at everything she did, she wanted to help push those around her to be good. And I think even if you weren't so good at anything, she made you feel like you were or at least could be. Most of the better memories I have of growing up were all with chelsi. You know when you're going through the "ugly/weird" stage in life? She was still my friend even then... haha. She is just such a positive fun person. And I already have missed having her in my life. I wish we would have done more in the past few years. but I am so thankful for the last time I was able to see her. And she will always be apart of who I am and have a very special spot in my heart. I love you Chels!

Melia Lino said...

my dearest sister Chelsi dp,
only God & you now know how much i hurt inside for you, & long for you to come back to me. i am still shocked & often times wish it is all one big dream that i will awake from any minute. i loved you so much you know that, i would have done everything & anything for you, you were my sister instantly & you were thee best thing that happened to me at BYU. i will forever be grateful to you for your friendship, your kindness, your encouraging words, your love for me, your athleticism, your talents & abilities. my life will never ever be the same, ever again, you were a big part of it, & i envy those who knew you their whole lives or longer than i did. our short time seemed like eternity, you always said you would be here for me always & forever, so please stick by me, & start building our heavenly track in that pretty place you are residing in. thanks for helping me live my dream, i hope i will be able to live up to you, pray for me that my abilities may even be a tenth of what yours were so that i may succeed a little bit. i love you more than you will ever know, more than ever, ever, ever. i love you. friends for eternity, Melia Lino

James Hesch said...

I can't believe it. It is too bad that happened. I can't even accept the fact. She was such an awesome girl, she was so fun to be around at track and everyone loved her. I know I did. I will miss you Chelsi. My prayers are with your family.
(To Chelsi's Family : If you need anything, just let me know. I will be more then happy to do anything.)

Ilene Hacker said...

Chelsi was so full of energy and loved her friends and family.

To those who were her special friends, you are lucky.

Life is short, no one promised us it would be easy. We should all live our lives as examples and show our love to one another every single day.

My thoughts and prayers are continually with Lisa and her family.

Think positive thoughts.

Ilene Hacker

Unknown said...

Chelsi!

was a great friend. I'm 11 years old and she has touched my life so much. i've missed her and i know alot of other people will miss her as well. Chelsi taught me gym,cheer,and dance.It was horrible what hapend and we are very sad of this terrible lose. good luck to the peterson family.
luv,
Sammi Clark