Angelina Perez, one of the top distance running recruits in the country, announced on Friday morning that has committed to the University of Florida.
The Gators sure are getting a great one!
Perez, who had her top two choices narrowed down to Florida and Wake Forest, is coming off a historic victory at the Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park when she won her race in 17:37. That made Perez the only girl in state history to run under 17:40 twice at Holmdel Park. She also ran 17:36 at the Holmdel Invitational last November which ties her for No. 5 in course history.
Perez also owns the course records at Garret Mountain and Darlington Park, and has personal bests times on the track of
"When I first went to Florida on my official visit, I loved everything about it, everyone on the team and all the coaches,'' Perez told Paul Schwartz of North Jersey.com. Everyone was just so welcoming, and I felt this was the place I was supposed to be.''
Perez also told Schwartz that she had her heart on going to warm weather school.
"I was recruited by a lot of schools in the Northeast but I really wasn't interested in staying up here because of the weather,'' she said. "I was always going to warmer weather.''
Perez said her parents decision to move to Florida was a huge factor in her decision.
"My parents are going to move to Florida after I graduate,'' said Perez, who will run for Head XC Coach Chris Solinsky at Florida, who once held the U.S. record for 10K and is the first non-African to break 27 minutes in the 10,000 meters. "They asked me if I was willing to look at some schools down there. I felt schools there were more known for sprinters, but when I looked at UF online, I liked it."
