Green Bay Southwest High School, tennis, soccer
Parents’ names: Sally Pereyra, Edward Pereyra
Siblings: Two brothers
Instagram: @danny_panera
Position or events: Soccer – Right wing (midfielder), Tennis – 1 Singles (captain)
Career highlight: Being a varsity starter for my soccer team as a freshman.
At what age did you start playing your main sport?
Around 12 years old.
Who introduced you to the sport?
My dad, he never played for a team, but he’s always liked the sport.
Has this always been your favorite sport?
No, for a while my favorite sport was lacrosse, but eventually I was formally introduced to tennis and I fell in love with it.
How has balancing academics and athletics been different for you from your freshman year to your senior year?
I just have way more experience now than I did back then. I remember being at soccer practice until 6:00 every night and then working on math homework for the rest of the night. I was tired, stressed and unhappy. However, as time went on I realized that with better time management during school and the weekends, I could go to practices and have fun instead of worrying about having a mountain of schoolwork waiting for me.
What is your favorite part about this sport? What about it has caused you to stick with it for this long?
My favorite part about tennis has always been the fact that it’s just me. Of course I’m still a part of a team, but when I’m actually playing, I’m the only person to rely on and the only person to hold accountable, which means that there are no excuses to be made. It also felt good to not have someone depending on me, which in turn made it easier for me to focus on my game.
Is there a professional athlete you look up to? If so, whom?
Lionel Messi. The guy’s always been my hero. He’s not the biggest nor is he the strongest, but he makes up for it in speed and resilience like no other player I’ve ever seen in a sport. The guy’s story is incredible and I find myself relating to him a lot.
What would you say is your biggest asset on the field/court?
Definitely my agility. It’s funny because I always thought my height or weight would be my biggest weakness, but in reality, it’s kind of my greatest weapon. I can change speed and direction really quickly, which really catches people off guard when I get to a ball that seems like I should have no chance of reaching.
What has been your most memorable experience in high school sports so far?
Our soccer team winning regionals during my Sophomore year. It had been years since our team had made it that far so we really had to rebuild and that year specifically, I remember being unsure if we would even make it to the regional final. However, my doubts were silenced in a thrilling game and we went home victorious. We felt like we were on top of the world.
How does it feel as a senior, to look back throughout high school and see your growth (as a person and athlete)?
When I look back, I’m proud of everything I’ve done and the person I’ve become. Do I cringe occasionally when I think about the things I said or did when I was an underclassmen? Of course I do, who doesn’t? But from a general standpoint, The growth I underwent was so important to who I am today. This applies to sports as well. I remember transitioning from barely understanding my role on teams to becoming a leader and guiding the younger players.
Do you have any pre-match rituals/routines/superstitions?
I never had a specific routine that I stuck to over the years, but I did listen to a lot of music during warmups and I had a few specific stretches that I would do because cramps were my biggest enemy on both the field and the court.
Do you take any extra steps to prepare for a big match/game/meet, outside of regular practices?
Mostly hitting or passing around with friends in our free time. It never felt like practice because we all enjoyed it, but it was great for getting some extra training in. Another thing that I can’t really take credit for, was drinking a lot of water and getting a lot of sleep, two points that my mom made it her mission to push.
Any memorable coaches or teammates you’d like to give a shout out to?
I mainly just want to shout out my friends Nathan, Kaden and Jenson for not only trying, but sticking with a new sport when I asked them to come out for the Tennis team who, at the time, needed as many players as it could get. They not only joined, but also became integral parts of the team.
Any hobbies outside of sports?
I read, write and draw occasionally. Recently, I’ve been really into not only listening to music, but also making instrumentals. However, my passion has been and probably will always be sports.
Favorite song?
It is constantly changing, but right now it’s “You Up?” by Johan Lenox.
Sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade or water?
Water all the way.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I’m a fan of the Green Bay Packers, but I’m not a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers. I prefer the Chicago Cubs.
Future Plans? (college, major, career, etc.)
I’ll be attending UW-Madison and majoring in psychology.