New Zealand native Annabelle Paterson has verbally committed to the application process at Harvard University.* Paterson specializes in 200 backstroke and mid-distance freestyle, and trains at United Swimming Club in Auckland.
Paterson represented New Zealand at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Maui this past summer. She competed in the 50/200m freestyles and the 100/200m backstrokes, reaching the B finals in the latter two. Earlier in the year she won gold in the 200m back at the 2016 Oceania Championships. In 2015 Paterson won bronze in the 200m back at the Australian Age Group Championships, and competed at FINA World Junior Championships in the 200m back and 200/400m free.
Her top times are (with SCM to SCY conversions using our Speedo Time Converter)
| LCM | SCM | |
| 200 Free | 2:04.84 | 2:01.83 (1:49.75) |
| 400 Free | 4:22.64 | 4:15.58 (4:54.68) |
| 800 Free | 9:06.65 | 8:47.93 (10:08.70) |
| 100 Back | 1.04.73 | 1:02.88 (56.64) |
| 200 Back | 2:13.58 | 2:10.29 (1:57.37) |
Paterson will fill a few holes for the Ivy-champion Harvard. Traditionally a backstroke powerhouse, the Crimson lost their top scorers to graduation last year. Paterson would have been the fourth Harvard 200 backstroker in the A final, and she would have scored in the B finals of the 100 back and 200 free.
*IVY LEAGUE DISCLAIMER: A “verbal commitment” by a coach is not an offer of admission, as only the Admissions Office has that authority. An Ivy League coach can only commit his or her support in the admissions process.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email to [email protected].