Michigan Women Get Commitment from PASA Breaststroker Annalisa Perez

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Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics’ Annalisa Perez has opted to train and compete in the midwest, choosing the Michigan Wolverines as her next home starting next fall. Perez has a Winter Juniors cut in the 100 breast, her best event.

“From the moment I stepped onto the campus, I knew Michigan was a one
of a kind place! Whether it was the coaches or swimmers, they all made
me feel very welcomed which really represented the team’s supportive
environment. Everyone who is part of the program has such a huge
passion for what they are doing and are working together towards
striving for their goals. I’m beyond excited to take part in this
amazing team and become a proud member of the Michigan family!”

Perez’s Breaststroke Progression

Perez credits her improvements from sophomore to junior year to a switch from South Bay Aquatics to PASA.

“Having swam on BAY for 6 years, it provided me with a great experience and insight on swimming, thanks to my old coach Marisa Cozort. She is really was one of the greatest reasons I am the swimmer I am today. She taught me how to have a good mindset and always be determined, constantly working towards my goals with every practice and even every stroke. I loved her coaching style and especially her as a person but thought it was time for me to move on to a more competitive team, where I was hoping to make big drops. Within just a year of swimming on PASA, I improved from a 1:05.5 in my 100 breaststroke to a 1:03.7. I also was able to bring my 100
freestyle time down almost 3 seconds as well.”

Perez touched 15th (or 7th in the B final) at the CIF State Championships last year representing Pioneer Valley High School.

The Wolverines have been riding on a youth movement since last year, where they saw their top three 100 breaststrokers dip below 1:03– all were freshmen, led by Emily Kopas at 59.85.  Perez would fit in as their #5 100 breaststroker last season.

It took a very high 1:02 to final last year in the 100 breast at the Big Ten Champs, and Kopas was the only 100 breaststroker to actually score last season for Michigan (Samantha Yeo and Carolyn McCann would’ve made the C final, but scratched). Now that the B1G Champs will score to 24th place, Yeo and McCann might stick around to score this season. Also, in the future, Michigan might have (at least) the three aforementioned breaststrokers and now Perez to rely on to score in the 100 breaststroke.

The Michigan women have a ways to go before they can catch up to the men’s 9 commits already, but Perez joins a small-yet-mighty class of 2020 that includes Emily Eastin, Monica Babits, and Vanessa Krause.

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