Perez to Row for Sacramento State

News

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis senior Claire Perez only started rowing two years ago but she will get to keep working on her craft after committing to compete for Sacramento State for the next four years.

“I did not expect it,” said Perez. “I only started rowing last year. I did not think I would be good enough to row in college. But I worked really hard the last two years to build up my skills to catch up to girls that have been rowing for a while.”

Perez, who is from Sacramento, rows for River City Rowing and Tricia Blocher, the RCRC Executive Director.

“From the very first day of her varsity year, she did hard work,” said Blocher. “She always puts 110% and is super coachable. She tries really hard and that is what the sport demands. Hopefully she will bring the same work ethic to Sac State and the lessons she has learned being a team player, working towards one goal.”

Perez competes on the varsity eight boat and is usually Starboard.

“We have improved so much over the year,” said Perez. “At our last race, we had five first-place finishes and at the San Diego Crew Classic we did well. We are doing really well. Hopefully by champs we will perform our best.”

Northwest Regional Championships will be held May 2 at Lake Natoma.

Perez got into crew after breaking her ankle playing soccer her sophomore season. Nina

“It is really the only sport I had not tried,” said Perez. “When I was younger, I played almost every sport or tried to. I had always played a sport. I tried rowing and ended up loving it.”

Nina Obaldia, who competes for Cal, recommended the sport to Perez.

“I really like it because every day is a different challenge,” said Perez. “Whether the lineup changes, the weather or the currents, no matter what is happening as a boat we have to overcome it. People say it is boring going out and rowing every day but there is a lot more to it. On the water, realizing those issues and overcoming them is my favorite thing to do.”

While she is surprised she developed so quickly in the sport, she feels the school and rowing opportunity are a perfect fit.

“I have always liked Sacramento State and I like the idea of staying in Sacramento,” said Perez. “I work and would like to be able to keep doing that if I could during school. I have never thought of the Sacramento State team and I had already applied and been accepted. I thought, “Why wouldn’t  I row?”. I really like the school and they have a Division I rowing team so it worked out perfectly.”

Perez will participate in the spring Collegiate Signing Day celebration at St. Francis at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.