University of Minnesota Athletics
Outside the Paint with Annalese Lamke
12/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 11, 2015 
Annalese Lamke joined the Gophers this fall from Galesville, Wisconsin. The freshman center was a two-time all-state honoree and Coulee Conference player of the year for Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School. She was also an all-conference volleyball and track and field athlete.
Lamke has played in six of Minnesota's first seven games this season. She scored her first four collegiate points in the win against Maine, and followed up with another four in a road win at Kent State.
How has the transition to college been for you so far?
It's a big difference going from one of the biggest players on the team from high school to just being a lot smaller. The pace is a lot faster. Just getting used to the pace of the team and everything has been a lot.
What about off the court? Are you adapting well to college life?
Yeah, I think so. I'm making it to classes on time. I'm not too swamped with homework yet so I'm still surviving. That's always good.
Why did you choose to come to Minnesota?
I chose to come to Minnesota because of how great the school is itself. It's very well known in this area. Also because of the great coaching staff here on the basketball team. And how great this program is and how great it can be.
How was the trip to Puerto Rico for the San Juan Shootout?
It was really fun. It was nice to escape from the cold for a little bit. It was 80 [degrees] the whole time we were there, so you can't complain at all.
How do you feel the games down there went?
It was really exciting to watch the games. The Auburn game was an exciting game to watch. Seeing Rachel Banham make history and break that record was amazing to see.
You mentioned the cold weather. With the snow we got this past week, do you feel ready for winter?
I was in denial that it was coming. Then when I woke up to find snow on the ground, it was like, "Well, it happened." There's only one way to get ready for winter and that's to survive it.
What are some of your favorite winter activities? Do you like skiing or snowboarding or something else?
I haven't been skiing and snowboarding for a really long time, but if I have a chance I love going sledding. Sledding is so much fun. Tubing too, that's always fun.
What do you do to get ready on game days?
I don't really have much of a pre-game routine or anything. All I do is listen to music and just get in the zone before the game while I'm putting my stuff on.
Is there any specific kind of music you like to listen to?
Anything upbeat. A lot of rap music. Basically anything.
Who on the team has helped you the most making the jump to college basketball?
My roommates Josie [Buckingham] and Carlie [Wagner] have both been really helpful to me, because I've been with them and they've helped me on the school side of things and on the basketball side of things. Josie has really helped me transition because we're both post players so we both know what's happening. Also Rachel [Banham] and [Mikayla Bailey] have both been really helpful with me. Bails has talked with me a lot, and so has Rachel, just checking up and seeing how I was doing with basketball and everything.
What are your expectations for this season?
For the team, we're expecting to win a Big Ten championship. Of course we always want to do that. I just want to make the best out of this season and do the most for this team that I can.
Interview by Joey Erickson, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Lamke has played in six of Minnesota's first seven games this season. She scored her first four collegiate points in the win against Maine, and followed up with another four in a road win at Kent State.
How has the transition to college been for you so far?
It's a big difference going from one of the biggest players on the team from high school to just being a lot smaller. The pace is a lot faster. Just getting used to the pace of the team and everything has been a lot.
What about off the court? Are you adapting well to college life?
Yeah, I think so. I'm making it to classes on time. I'm not too swamped with homework yet so I'm still surviving. That's always good.
Why did you choose to come to Minnesota?
I chose to come to Minnesota because of how great the school is itself. It's very well known in this area. Also because of the great coaching staff here on the basketball team. And how great this program is and how great it can be.
How was the trip to Puerto Rico for the San Juan Shootout?
It was really fun. It was nice to escape from the cold for a little bit. It was 80 [degrees] the whole time we were there, so you can't complain at all.
How do you feel the games down there went?
It was really exciting to watch the games. The Auburn game was an exciting game to watch. Seeing Rachel Banham make history and break that record was amazing to see.
You mentioned the cold weather. With the snow we got this past week, do you feel ready for winter?
I was in denial that it was coming. Then when I woke up to find snow on the ground, it was like, "Well, it happened." There's only one way to get ready for winter and that's to survive it.
What are some of your favorite winter activities? Do you like skiing or snowboarding or something else?
I haven't been skiing and snowboarding for a really long time, but if I have a chance I love going sledding. Sledding is so much fun. Tubing too, that's always fun.
What do you do to get ready on game days?
I don't really have much of a pre-game routine or anything. All I do is listen to music and just get in the zone before the game while I'm putting my stuff on.
Is there any specific kind of music you like to listen to?
Anything upbeat. A lot of rap music. Basically anything.
Who on the team has helped you the most making the jump to college basketball?
My roommates Josie [Buckingham] and Carlie [Wagner] have both been really helpful to me, because I've been with them and they've helped me on the school side of things and on the basketball side of things. Josie has really helped me transition because we're both post players so we both know what's happening. Also Rachel [Banham] and [Mikayla Bailey] have both been really helpful with me. Bails has talked with me a lot, and so has Rachel, just checking up and seeing how I was doing with basketball and everything.
What are your expectations for this season?
For the team, we're expecting to win a Big Ten championship. Of course we always want to do that. I just want to make the best out of this season and do the most for this team that I can.
Interview by Joey Erickson, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Players Mentioned
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