Annika Dries

Annika Madsen Dries was born on February 10, 1992, in La Jolla, California. She developed her athletic abilities early, competing in swimming and water polo throughout her four years at Laguna Beach High School. During her high school career, Dries captained both the water polo and swimming teams in her junior and senior years. Her performance led her team to a CIF Southern Section Division II title in her senior year and semifinal appearances from 2007-2008. Individually, she was named CIF Southern Section Division II MVP as a senior, earning first-team honors as a junior and second-team as a sophomore. She was also a three-time Orange County Register All-County selection, named MVP in 2009, and received the Orange Coast League MVP award as a senior. Additionally, Dries holds her high school’s 50-yard freestyle record and played for the club team SET from 2006-2009, where she was recognized as a Junior Olympics All-American in 2007 and 2008.

Dries continued her water polo career at Stanford University, playing for the team in 2010 and 2011. As a freshman in 2010, she was tied for third on the team with 35 goals and earned spots on both the All-MPSF Third Team and All-Freshman Team. She was also a two-time MPSF Newcomer of the Week in February and April. Her sophomore year in 2011 marked a significant achievement as she led the team with 65 goals and scored five times in the national championship game against California, contributing to Stanford’s victory. For her outstanding performance, she was named MVP of the NCAA championships and received the Peter J. Cutino Award as the nation’s top female collegiate player. In 2012, Dries took a leave of absence from Stanford to train with the U.S. National Water Polo Team, focusing on her Olympic aspirations.

Internationally, Dries has represented the United States with distinction. In 2010, she helped the U.S. secure gold medals at the World Super League Finals in La Jolla, California, and the FINA World Cup in Christchurch, New Zealand, scoring three goals at the FINA World Super League. The following year, at the 2011 Pan American Games, she scored eight goals, contributing to the U.S. victory and qualification for the 2012 Summer Olympics. Her most notable international achievement came at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, where she scored two goals as the U.S. team claimed its first Olympic Gold Medal in women’s water polo. She also participated in water polo world championships in 2011 and 2013.