Government Work by Day. Vegan Cookies by Midnight

Henry Perillo thinks about Italian swear words while swimming.

⁠Did you swim in college? (If not, how did you get started?)
I didn’t swim in college. I started in elementary school (I think 2nd or 3rd grade) and have been in a love-hate relationship with it ever since.

Why love-hate?
Because swimming always felt (feels?) like more of a chore than a passion. It feels like something I have to do more than something I want to do.

How long have you been swimming with ARMS?
In 2023, I moved to Virginia from North Carolina. I’d been swimming in Durham, so I immediately wanted to find a Masters team in Arlington. Since January 2023.

How often do you swim?
2–3 days a week.

Favorite practice day?
Tuesday, because I love breaststroke. Or Thursday, because I like short sets.

What other forms of exercise do you enjoy?
I like biking, walking, running, soccer, water polo, tennis, and pickleball.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Weston, Florida, about a half hour away from the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale.

Where do you live?
Proud resident of Virginia Square.

What do you do for work?
I try to keep my head down, so I’ll say I work in environmental compliance and sustainability for the U.S. government.

Describe your pre-practice routine.
I try not to fall asleep.

How about post-practice?
I buy a dank, $7, vegan cookie from Midnight Treats in Ballston, then watch my bank account go dowwwnnnn.

On a scale of one to 10, how hard do you typically work in practice?
7.5?

Tugging on the lane line: Every now and then, or never?
When I’m not doing backstroke? Never! When I’m doing backstroke? Occasionally.

Do you swim the full 500 for warm-up, or do you follow the crowd?
I follow the crowd.

How do you decide which lane to swim in?
Will tells me.

Do you stop after the last set, or do you warm down?
If it’s an Allison practice, I don’t even have time to finish the last set, let alone warm down. If it’s a Will practice, I’ll swim 2–4 laps.

Long course, or short course? Why?
When I’m doing long course, I prefer short course; when I’m doing short course, I prefer long course.

Favorite drill? Why?
Two-pulls, one-kick breaststroke. It’s a good core workout and it helps me make sure I’m undulating.

Least-favorite drill? Why?
Anything with backstroke, because I stink.

Favorite practice of the week?
I liked this past Thursday’s practice!

Favorite pro swimmer?
Lia Thomas, because she pissed off all the right people.

What’s your biggest weakness in freestyle?
Not breathing between the flags and the wall — I can’t get my vagus nerve to realize I won’t run out of breath!

What’s your one big (swimming) goal for 2026?
To survive.

Any upcoming meets?
Not at the moment.

Which goggles do you wear?
TYR’s Tracer-X RZR, with a bungee cord.

Which paddles do you use?
I don’t know the brand, but they don’t have tubing.

If you have a significant other, do they swim?
Not really. Unless she falls out of her kayak!

You’re going faster than the person in front of you. What do you do?
Wonder if I’m dreaming.

What do you love most about swimming?
Knowing that I can continue to do it as I age.

What do you think about while in the water?
Integral calculus. Just kidding. Usually Star Wars, food, or cursing in Italian.