The spring track and field season was one to remember for Summit High School. 

In its second year under head coach Jay Peltier, the program posted numerous school-record marks, podium finishes and claimed back-to-back league titles on the girls side for the first time in school history.  

Perhaps the most notable accolade of the season occurred at the state track and field meet last month. After putting in work throughout the winter and spring, the Summit girls track and field team racked up 43.5 points to secure fifth place in Class 4A  — the highest finish in program history.

The moment was special for the entire Summit girls track and field team, but especially for Peltier and his team of coaches. The exceptional performances throughout the season not only caught the attention of track and field fans across the state, but also the national organization, Positive Athlete. 

Due to his leadership, guidance and coaching throughout the spring, Peltier was honored with the “Most Positive” coach award on Monday, June 2, at the Douglas County School District Legacy Campus in Parker. 

“It was an extremely humbling experience,” Peltier said. “I think the head coach usually gets the credit, but I think it really speaks volumes to our entire coaching staff and our track and field community. The award is just as much theirs as it is anybody’s.”

For the first time in the history of the organization, Positive Athlete recognized local athletes and coaches from across the state of Colorado. More than 440 athletes and coaches were nominated and confirmed by their schools with all 27 state-sanctioned sports being covered in the nomination process. 

Every eventual award winner was representative of the organization’s values which most notably includes optimism, selflessness, encouragement and respect. 

After filtering through the nominations, 14 athletes were named the “Most Positive” male and female athletes across the state, while two coaches and one athletic director were recognized for being the “Most Positive” in their line of work. 

Joining Peltier as the “Most Positive” coach of the year was Ray Lopez of Abraham Lincoln High School in Denver. Other major award winners included Centennial High School athletic director Roxann Serna, Lewis Palmer High School’s Alex Beasley, Sage Adkins of Rock Canyon High School and Strasburg High School’s Peighton Marrero. 

Being able to hear the stories of other award winners was both enlightening, inspiring and moving for Peltier. 

“You hear some of the stories of athletes who are going through cancer, who had to stop competing because they had a heart transplant,” Peltier said. “It gives you super great hope for the future, and what the young people in this world are doing to make their world a better place.”

The awards ceremony was also special to Peltier and his family as Positive Athlete lead athlete and NFL Hall of Famer Champ Bailey was at the event as a surprise guest. Not only did Peltier get to take pictures alongside the Denver Broncos legend, but he also got to have a personal conversation with Bailey.

“I got about five minutes with him at the end of the awards ceremony and we were just talking about parenting, coaching — typical life stuff,” Peltier said. “With his platform and his fame, he is choosing to live out this Positive Athlete organization. Not just be part of it as an emcee, but he is in it.”

As the only winner from Summit County, Peltier recognizes the gravity of what that means for him and the community. 

Without a rubberized track, and with winter lingering deep into the spring sports season in Summit County, Peltier credits the team’s success to the dedication of his coaching staff, the buy-in from student-athletes and strong support from the community.

“It is an honor,” Peltier said. “It is so special to represent the entire community up here in that fashion. It takes a village to accomplish anything. … It is so humbling and amazing. It makes you so proud to be from Summit. I was so proud to represent the community because it was a community award.”

Outside of his team of fellow coaches and the community, Peltier thanks his wife, Becky, for her unwavering support throughout the busy spring track and field season. 

“She did not get enough credit for what she has done,” Peltier said. “She has allowed me to coach. I think all coaches’ spouses do not get enough credit for what they endure. She is pretty much a single mom for those four to five months.”