Pedersen, who graduated in December, had a 3.76 grade point average in biology with a mathematics minor. He transferred to Arizona from Hawai'i Pacific before his junior seasons and ran two years for the Wildcats. He attended Canby High School in Aurora, Ore.

Pedersen was a major contributor to the Wildcat team in 1999, running as the No. 4-5 runner throughout the season. He was the fourth Arizona runner across the line and No. 10 overall at the Pacific-10 Conference Championships, helping the Wildcats to a team victory. Pedersen was the team's No. 3 runner and finished 17th overall at the NCAA West Regional. However, he saved his best collegiate race for last, finishing 82nd as the team's No. 4 runner at the NCAA Championshpis, helping Arizona finish 10th as a team.