Hard Work Pays Off for Former Red Mountain Player Headed to Boise State

By Jasmine Garcia

When Saige Peters received the phone call from Boise State, years of hard work, dedication, sacrifice and perseverance finally came full circle.  

“I just couldn’t believe it,” Peters said. “I was kind of stunned at first and then so excited. I was so happy that my dream and hard work had finally gotten me to the place I am today.” 

For Peters, earning the opportunity to play Division wasn’t something that happened over night. It was the result of years of dedication, overcoming difficulties, and never losing sight of the dream she first developed as a young girl.  

Peters started playing softball at just 7 years old after following in the footsteps of her old sister, despite being in a soccer centered family. 

“We were a big soccer family, but I followed my sister when she started playing softball,” Peters said. “I knew I wanted to play in college at a pretty young age, and I’m pretty competitive, so I always knew I wanted to get to a Division I school.” 

The recruiting process, however, tested her patience. 

Peters attended camps, sent countless emails to college coaches and waited for the opportunity that felt right. When she visited Boise State, she knew she had found her future home. 

“I waited to find a place that gave me goosebumps and butterflies when I toured, and Boise was it,” Peters said. “When I stood on campus for the first time, I was filled with a calm, happy feeling that I hadn’t gotten anywhere else.”

Beyond the campus, it was the coaching staff and family atmosphere that made Boise State stand out. 

“I could sense it was a positive and hard-working environment, which was really important to me in choosing a program,” Peters said. 

While the commitment marked a milestone, Peters said the journey behind it wasn’t always easy. 

“My softball experiences haven’t always been the smoothest,” she said. “My biggest challenge that I have overcome was a team full of negativity that made me lose myself as a person and a player, but I came out on the other side more confident and happier. It was just part of my journey.” 

Instead of letting those experiences define her, Peters leaned into the work. 

“People may see the training and traveling that goes into playing the game, but the mental work and continuing to work hard with extra hitting and working out has always been a large part of my success,” she said. “Staying confident in myself helped get me to the place I am today.” 

Along the way, Peters also made many sacrifices, including giving up other sports she enjoyed, not having a steady job and missing time with friends while pursuing her dream. 

After transferring to Red Mountain High School, Peters found a community hat helped her grow both on and off the field. 

She credits head coach and strength coach Bre with helping her understand what a healthy player-coach relationship should look like. 

“Caring more for me as a person rather than what I can do on the field has helped me set that standard for myself,” Peters said. “Having her push me in the weight room boosted my strength in the short amount of time I had with her.” 

Peters said some of her favorite memories came during her time at Red Mountain. 

“I absolutely loved being a part of Red Mountain,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine if I had never transferred.” 

While Peters’ determination helped her reach Boise State, she says she didn’t make the journey alone. 

She credits her parents and sister for their constant support throughout her softball career, along with Coach Bre, club coach Randy Kaye, Jimmy Kolaitis, Mr. Dimler and hitting coach Brent Rincon for helping shape both the athlete and person she has become.

Now, Peters is preparing for the next chapter of her career as Boise State enters the Pac-12. 

“I’m excited to get to the grind at Boise State and be the best player I can be,” she said. “I want to make an impact on the program, create lifelong relationships with my teammates and make incredible memories together.” 

Looking back, Peters says she’d remind her younger self that the difficult moments were all part of the journey. 

“This journey isn’t going to be easy, but you will make it through and actually be better for it,” she said. 

Her advice to young athletes is simple. 

“Never let anyone bring you down,” Peters said. “Know that the only thing that matters is the confidence in yourself and to just keep going. Play the game with love, passion and energy.” 

For Peters, the road to Boise State was built on resilience, hard work and the unwavering support of those who believed in her long before she achieved her Division I dream.