University of Minnesota Athletics
Meet the Newcomers: Anna Barlow
7/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
By Hannah Barnes, Athletic Communications Student Intern
MINNEAPOLIS - The Golden Gopher women's hockey team is excited to welcome nine new players for the upcoming season, including freshman Anna Barlow, a native of South St. Paul, Minn. A defenseman who shoots left, Barlow helped South St. Paul High School to five state tournament appearances while she was in the lineup.
Barlow tallied 22 points in 24 games during her senior year. She led the Packers to a semifinal finish at the 2015 Minnesota Class A State Tournament, recording points in each game of the tournament. During her time with the Packers, she recorded 154 points on 43 goals and 111 assists and earned three all-state awards and four All-Metro East Conference accolades.
Barlow joins Emma May, Tianna Gunderson, Caitlin Reilly, Sarah Potomak, Nicole Schammel, Sophie Skarzynski, Sierra Smith and Taylor Williamson to make up next season's incoming class. Stay tuned as GopherSports.com introduces each of the new Gophers.
Gopher Sports: How did you start playing hockey?
Anna Barlow: I started when I was young, but then I stopped to do dance and gymnastics. Then, one day, when my dad was signing my brother up to play hockey, I said, "Dad, can I try hockey again?" and I continued from there.
GS: What other sports did you play while growing up?
AB: When I was younger, I tried a lot of sports, but I mainly played soccer and hockey.
GS: What made you choose the University of Minnesota?
AB: The hockey program is amazing here. The girls, the coaches and the atmosphere on campus are all awesome. The academics are great, too. It is also nice that I am close to home. Everything about it the University of Minnesota is really nice.
GS: Do you have a major or career field in mind?
AB: I like biology, possibly physiology. I may want to do a minor in Spanish, too.
GS: Other than hockey what do you like to do in your free time?
AB: When I have down time, I like to spend time with my family at home. We like to grill on the weekends and go to the Lake Calhoun area. I like to do yoga, too.
GS: What are you most looking forward to about playing for the Gophers?
AB: I am excited for the whole experience. Everything from practice, to games, to traveling with the girls and being on campus when everyone is here to watch us, is what I am really excited for.
GS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
AB: It varies year to year, sometimes I do, and sometimes I don't. Usually if I have a bad game, I decide that I am not going to do something anymore. I'm not too superstitious though.
GS: Who was your hockey role model growing up?
AB: I've always been a fan of Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings because he's such a skilled hockey player and is fun to watch.
GS: What is your favorite part about playing hockey?
AB: Just being with teammates and being with the girls is by far my favorite part. Getting to play with them and be with them off the ice, it's all a lot of fun for me.
GS: What was it like making multiple appearances in the high school state tournament, and how did it impact you as a player?
AB: It was awesome. I don't think I even realized how special it was during my first year in seventh grade, but I never got sick of it. When we didn't go my junior year, I was really disappointed. Every year was just as good as the year before, and each one was a new experience. I think it's fun to get that exposure when you're younger, and then realize how special it was.
GS: What was your most memorable moment while playing for South St. Paul?
AB: I would say making it to the state championship two years in a row was a lot of fun, but probably the most memorable moment was winning sections during my senior year. No one was expecting it because we were the underdogs, and we ended up pulling it off in overtime against St. Paul United.
GS: How do you think playing with the Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps helped and developed you as a player?
AB: That was a fun experience because I played with a lot of very talented girls from around the state. We went on a trip to Vermont and were able to play against top-level girls from around the country, and that was my first time being at such a competitive level. That was good experience to see where I needed to improve and where I fit in among the top players.
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