Wayne Grandy
MOULTRIE — The University of Georgia diving team will have a unique look to its roster next season. Coach Dan Laak’s team will feature a rare brother-sister combination.
Colquitt County High and Moss Farms diver Ann Perry Blank, sister of current Bulldog Owen Blank, signed a letter-of-intent this week to dive for Georgia.
And when Ann Perry gets to Athens, she will be joining former Moss Farms teammate Hannah Moore on the reigning national runner-up Georgia women’s swimming and diving team.
Ann Perry had also visited Arizona, Florida and Clemson, but decided to remain in state.
“The facility is amazing,” she said. “And I love Athens. Of course, my brother and Hannah are there and I’ve gotten to know the rest of the swimming and diving team.”
And she has known Laak for a number of years.
“He’s a great coach,” she said. “He’s very encouraging, just like the rest of the team. It’s exciting to be able to dive for him.”
Ann Perry began diving when she was 6 years old and also was involved in the Moultrie YMCA’s gymnastics program. She soon decided to concentrate on diving and it has paid off.
When she gets to Athens next year, there will be six Moss Farms alumni diving collegiately. In addition to Owen Blank and Moore, Anna Aguero is at Auburn, Ryan Helms in at Tennessee and Kelsey Goodman, also a Colquitt County senior, will be at Florida State.
Goodman signed with Florida State on Monday.
Ann Perry has continued to improve her list under Moss Farms coach Ed Goodman, father of Kelsey Goodman.
“With him being Kelsey’s father, he understands that my goals are very similar to hers,” Ann Perry said. “He’s been able to cater to our needs.”
Ed Goodman said he expects Ann Perry to excel at Georgia.
“It’s a good fit,” he said. “Her’s and Dan’s personalities match real well. She’ll blossom in their conditioning program. And she’s a kid who likes to dive tower and she’ll get a good opportunity to do that for Dan.”
That would be fine with Ann Perry.
“Dan’s encouraging me to have a tower list,” she said. “I love tower.”
Ann Perry has had an outstanding junior career that includes a 2003 East National championship.
She also qualified for Junior Nationals last summer and finished in the top 25 on both boards and was the Class AAAAA state runner-up last February.
She said she plans to major in criminal justice at Georgia.
