UBC Reports Extras | Apr. 28, 2009

UBC swimmer Annamay Pierse named CIS female athlete of the year

University of British Columbia swimmer Annamay Pierse has been named the 2008-09 Canadian Interuniversity Sport female athlete of the year.

Pierse received the award Monday evening at a gala ceremony in Toronto. She takes home a $10,000 scholarship to attend a Canadian graduate school, as well as the Jim Thompson Trophy.

Pierse, Canada’s top female breaststroker, has previously won back-to-back CIS female-swimmer-of-the-year awards and led the UBC Thunderbird women to a silver win at the national championships in 2007-2008.

The Edmonton native swept the three breaststroke events in meet-record time this season at both the Canada West and CIS championships, including Canadian short-course records on 100 and 200 metres at the university nationals.

She also competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and broke the world record at the Canadian Spring Nationals in Toronto last month with a time of 2:17.50.

"Annamay's continued success is a testament of her passion, commitment and dedication to her sport. She has proven to herself and the world that she is truly a world-class athlete," said UBC head coach Derrick Schoof. "Her rise to stardom over the past two years is a product of her work ethic and her desire to win. This summer her main objective will be to win at the world championships and her long-term goal is to win Olympic gold."

Pierse, a psychology student, told reporters she plans to use her scholarship for a graduate degree in public relations or marketing.

The awards show will air on TSN, May 16 at 2 p.m.