Brian Peresie - Women's Swimming & Diving Coach - University of Akron Athletics

Brian Peresie

Title:
Head Coach
Email:
bperesie@uakron.edu
Phone:
(330) 972-5984

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Brian Peresie is in his 11th season as the head coach of the University of Akron women's swimming and diving program. Peresie has now led the team to win the Mid-American Conference Championship for 9-of-10 years and has been named the MAC Swimming Coach of the Year eight times, since being named head coach May 2, 2013.

In 2022-23, the Zips defended their title as they claimed the 2023 Mid-American Conference Champions and sent three swimmers to the NCAA Championship as senior Weronika Gorecka, junior Madelyn Gatrall, and sophomore Abigail Daniel made the cut. At the Conference Championships, Akron posted 778.5 points to claim the top spot out of the eight teams. The Zips claimed 11 individual or relay championships while setting two MAC records and nine pool records. In addition, Akron earned seven silver medals and two bronze medals during the meet. Zips placed seven swimmers on the All-MAC Second Team and seven on the All-MAC First Team, including Abigail Daniel who was named MAC Most Outstanding Swimmer. Peresie was named MAC Coach of the Year for the eighth time. Akron also claimed Runner-Up at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships with 455.50 points and Peresie was named the CSCAA National Invitational Championships Coach of the Meet. Rebecca Reid earned Women’s Athlete of the Meet.

In 2021-22, the Zips reclaimed their position as 2022 Mid-American Conference Champions and sent three swimmers to the NCAA Championships as seniors Sarah Watson and Paulina Nogaj along with junior Weronika Gorecka qualified for the NCAA season finale. In addition, junior diver Paige Kalik qualified and competed at the 2022 NCAA Zone C Diving Championships. At the 2022 MAC Championships, Akron posted the highest point total in an eight-team field (896.5 points) and won 12-of-19 events while claiming seven silver and eight bronze medals – 27 medalists in total. Akron won the title by a 277-point margin as Paulina Nogaj claimed MAC Swimmer of the Year, Sarah Watson was awarded MAC Most Outstanding Senior, Abigail Daniel was named MAC Freshman of the Year and Peresie claimed his seventh MAC Coach of the Year honor.

In 2020-21, Akron was runner-up at the MAC Championships for the first time under Peresie as Buffalo snapped the Zips attempt at eight consecutive titles by a seven-point margin, 773-766. The Zips trailed by one-point 733-732 heading into the final event of the three-day MAC Championships event. In the 400-yard Freestyle Relay, the Bulls posted a 3:17.76 time, edging the Zips by 1.25 seconds and securing the 2021 MAC title. Akron’s Sarah Watson earned MAC Swimmer of the Year.

In 2019-20, the Zips claimed their seventh consecutive MAC Championship. Akron once again won all five relays and crowned nine Zips as individual or relay champions. During a season that ended post season competition early, the Zips were winning the 2020 CSCAA National Invitational Championships at the end of day 1 when the event was cancelled. Additionally, Andrea Bugariu, Kamryn Goodrick and Paige Kalik were named NCAA All-American’s for their performances.

During the 2018-19 season the Zips accumulated 867 points, setting a new MAC record for the most points in an eight-team field, a record they set the season prior. In addition to claiming the title, Peresie guided his team to earn MAC titles in 10 events, including winning all five relays for the second consecutive season. Peresie also coached Sarah Watson, who became Akron's second All-American in school history. In March of 2019, the Zips entered the CSCAA National Invitational Championship and earned the first national championship in school history. Additionally, Peresie was named the 2019 CSCAA NIC National Coach of the Year.

During the 2017-18 season the Zips accumulated 827.5 points, setting a new MAC record for the most points in an eight-team field. In addition to claiming the title, Peresie guided his team to earn MAC titles in 10 events, including winning all five relays for the first time in the program’s history. Over the course of the season Akron set new varsity records on 18 different occasions as well as 10 conference records.

Seven individuals earned All-MAC First Team selections, while three Zips earned Second Team honors. Paulina Nogaj was a 2018 NCAA Championship participant and was named the MAC Most Outstanding Freshman. Paloma Marrero was named MAC Co-Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Year.

Under Peresie, Akron earned its first ever All-American in swimming as Marrero placed 11^th at the NCAA Championships in the 200 breaststroke (2:07.91).

Akron’s improvement under the direction of Coach Peresie was evident throughout the 2016-17 season as the team won its fourth consecutive MAC Championship. The Zips had seven NCAA participants in swimming and one in diving. An impressive 32 new varsity records and 10 MAC records were set over the course of the season. Six student-athletes were named to the All-MAC First Team, three were named to the All-MAC Second Team and a program best 16 were named to the Academic All-MAC team. Ludwika Szynal was named most Outstanding Senior by the MAC, while Peresie earned his fourth MAC Swimming Coach of the Year honor.

The 2015-16 season was one for the record books. In addition to winning its third straight MAC title, six members were named to the All-MAC First Team, two were named to the All-MAC Second Team and 15 were named to the Academic All-MAC team. The Zips also received the Most Outstanding Swimmer award (Madison Myers), Most Outstanding Senior Award (Hannah Raspopovich), Freshman Swimmer of the Year award (Myers), and Freshman Diver of the Year (Karly Crail). For the first time in program history, five Akron swimmers and one Akron diver earned bids to compete at the 2016 NCAA Championships.

During the 2014-15 season, the Zips continued to improve under the direction of Peresie, setting 18 new varsity records and three MAC records. In addition to claiming its second MAC Championship the team captured its first ever MAC title in the 400 Medley Relay while also capturing titles in the 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay. Four athletes were named to the All-MAC First and Second team, while 10 members earned Academic All-American honors.

In his first year at the helm of the Zips women's swimming and diving program, Peresie was named Mid-American Conference Swimming Coach of the Year and led UA to capture its first MAC Championship.

Additionally, the team set 11 varsity records and received numerous MAC post-season honors during the 2013-14 campaign. Peresie helped UA notch its first-ever individual MAC Champion in the 50 freestyle and as well as Akron's first-ever first place relays, coming in the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay.

Two swimmers were named to the All-MAC First Team while three were tabbed for Second Team All-MAC. Four members of his squad were also named to the Academic All-MAC team.

Under Peresie's guidance, the program earned All-America Team honors from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America, every semester since Fall of 2013.

Peresie came to UA after spending the previous two seasons as head coach of the men's and women's swimming and diving program at nearby Malone University. In 2012-13 as provisional members of the NCAA Division II, his student-athletes set more than 90 school records, after having done so more than 60 times during the 2011-12 campaign. Peresie reinstated the Pioneers' diving program in 2012-13, which saw the first GLIAC Diving Champion in Malone University history.

During the eight years prior to his time at Malone, Peresie served as assistant swimming coach and recruiting coordinator at Ohio University. The Bobcats women's team won the Mid-American Conference championship in 2008 and 2011. Additionally, the team garnered four second places finishes and two third place finishes at the championship.

A 2000 graduate of Ohio University with a bachelor's degree in business administration, Peresie also earned his MBA from Ashland University in 2004. He was a graduate assistant swim coach at Ashland from January 2002 to July 2003, where the program boasted eight NCAA Division II national qualifiers.

Peresie and his wife, Emily (Berg), have four children, Brayden, Blake, Bennett and Braxton.

Career Highlights

Nine Mid-American Conference Team Titles (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023)
Eight-time Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
Mentored 30 NCAA Participants in the following events
- 2023 (100 Backstroke, 200 Backstroke, 50 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly, 200 Butterfly, 200 Individual Medley)
- 2022 (100 Butterfly, 200 Butterfly, 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, 200 Backstroke)
- 2021 (100 Backstroke, 200 Individual Medley)
- 2019 (50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, 200 Individual Medley, 100 Butterfly, 200 Butterfly, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay)
- 2018 (200 Individual Medley, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Breaststroke, 100 Butterfly, 200 Butterfly)
- 2017 (200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Breaststroke, 100 Backstroke, 200 Backstroke, 200 Individual Medley, 100 Freestyle, 1 Meter Diving)
- 2016 (200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay, 100 Backstroke, 200 Backstroke, 1 Meter Diving, 3 meter Diving)
Akron All-American’s during Peresie’s tenure
- Weronika Gorecka – 200 Backstroke (1:52.63, 13^th place – 2023)
- Madelyn Gatrall – 100 Backstroke (52.16, 16^th place – 2023)
- Andrea Bugariu – Diving (2020)
- Kamryn Goodrick – Diving (2020)
- Paige Kalik – Diving (2020)
- Sarah Watson - 100 Butterfly (51.73, 11^th place - 2019)
- Paloma Marrero Munoz – 200 Breaststroke (2:07.91, 11^th place - 2018)
CSCAA National Invitational Champions (2019, 2020)
CSCAA NIC Coach of the Year (2019)
Coached 7 USA Olympic Team Trials Participants (2008 and 2016)
2023 Parapan American Games – Grace Nuhfer (USA) (Silver Medal, 50 Freestyle S13 record-setting 27.90)
2023 Pan American Games – Madelyn Gatrall (Canada) (Gold Medal 400 Medley Relay)
2023 World University Games Participant – Abigail Daniel (USA) and Weronika Gorecka (Poland)
2023 MAC Medal of Excellence Recipient – Weronika Gorecka
2019 World Championship Participant – Paulina Nogaj (50 Butterfly, 100 Butterfly, 400 Medley Relay)
2019 World University Games - Sarah Watson (Bronze Medal 400 Medley Relay, 50 Butterfly, 100 Butterfly, 400 Free Relay, 800 Free Relay)
Mentored 99 All-MAC Honorees
- 2023 (seven First Team, seven Second Team)
- 2022 (seven First Team, five Second Team)
- 2021 (seven First Team, three Second Team)
- 2020 (four First Team, seven Second Team)
- 2019 (six First Team, six Second Team)
- 2018 (seven First Team, three Second Team)
- 2017 (six First Team, three Second Team)
- 2016 (six First Team, two Second Team)
- 2015 (four First Team, four Second Team)
- 2014 (two First Team, three Second Team)
Guided 115 Academic All-MAC Honorees and 65 Scholar All-American Honorees
Coached 61 Mid-American Conference Individual and Relay Champions
Mid-American Conference Records Broken on 46 occasions
Akron Zips School Records Broken on 132 occasions
2022 American Swimming Coaches Association World Clinic Speaker
2015 ASCA World Clinic Guest Speaker