The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MARCH 2023 THE WOLVERINE 13 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Annaka Draaisma is a Big Ten champion with the second varsity four boat in 2021, a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2021-22) and a key member of the Wolverines' 2022-23 team, which begins its season March 4 against Louis- ville. Here are some things about Draaisma that you may not have known: Best Aspect Of Being From Ada, Mich.: "It just feels like home. Everywhere I go over there, everyone is so friendly, and there's so much to do, indoors and outdoors." Favorite Restaurant In Ann Arbor: "I went to Chapala [Mexican Restaurant] this summer and I really liked it." Best Meal She Can Cook By Herself: "I found out that I can make a really good ramen." Favorite Professional Athlete: "Ilona Maher, she's a U.S. rugby athlete. Her videos that she makes for TikTok are really inspiring for young girls." Sport She Enjoys Playing Besides Rowing: "I didn't row until college, so I grew up being an equestrian athlete, which is a pretty unique sport, because you're dealing with a living, breathing animal. Horses and being an equestrianist is something that I will always want to do, because it's so special to me and I grew up doing it." Favorite Television Show: "'Once Upon A Time.'" Favorite Movie: "I really like 'Sleepless in Se- attle,' and I like the 'Jurassic Park' and 'Jurassic World' series." Why She Chose Michigan: "The main thing was the challenge of the academics. When I got on the campus, I felt this is where I wanted to be. Ann Arbor is such a great place, and it just seemed like the perfect mix of college town and academics." What She Hopes To Do After Michigan: "When I graduate, I will work as a neurophysiologist, which is a tech who is in the O.R. during surgery and monitoring the brain and the spinal cord to make sure those are OK during surgery when they're more at risk." Favorite Memory At Michigan: "Something that will stick with me is when we won the Big Ten championship [in 2020-21]. All of the varsity boats swept and won, so that was one of the most fun days of my college experience." Overall Experience At Michigan: "I'm so grate- ful to Michigan, because it's given me so much athletically and academically, and it's allowed me to compete at such a high level while also pursu- ing my career goals. It's a lot of hard work, and my schedule is very structured, but I love everything that I'm able to do." — Clayton Sayfie Draaisma is a two-time Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association scholar-athlete. PHOTO COURTESY U-M ATHLETICS Getting To Know Rowing Senior Annaka Draaisma