University of Minnesota Athletics
Captains Corner: Danielle Anderson
10/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
MINNEAPOLIS - The Golden Gopher women's cross country team hosts Jack's Twilight Run at Les Bolstad Course this Friday. Co-captain Danielle Anderson checks in with GopherSports.com with updates on the team heading into the postseason, hosting the Big Ten Cross Country Championship, and goals for the rest of her senior year.
Gopher Sports: How do you feel about the season so far?
Danielle Anderson: The team is doing really well. Considering that we have a lot of younger people, it's exciting to see how everyone has done their part. Everyone has been mature about it, and we're racing really well.
GS: How do you feel about the season from a personal standpoint?
DA: I'm feeling good. I started out good but had a little setback due to injury. That was a bummer. I missed some running, but I got to race last weekend for the first time in a while and that was exciting. It went pretty well. We'll see how Jack's Run goes on Friday.
GS: What do you think the team's greatest strength is heading into the postseason?
DA: I think we're just tough in general. People are wondering about us, and maybe doubting us, because we're such a young team but I think that can work to our advantage. Even though we might not be savvy because we haven't been there, everyone is savvy in their own way already. I think that's one of our biggest strengths.
GS: What's it going to be like to host the Big Ten Championship next week?
DA: Exciting! I'm super pumped. Whether I'm running or cheering, I'm really excited to have it here. I hope that a lot of people will come, and I think they will since there is free admission. It's going to be very exciting.
GS: How does hosting Big Tens play to your advantage as a team?
DA: Well, we work out on the course every week, every Wednesday, so we know the course like the back of our hands. I think for sure it will work to our advantage. A lot of the Big Ten teams did come here for Griak this year, but they've only raced here once.
GS: What are your personal goals for the rest of the cross country season?
DA: Well, it's kind of up in the air for now. Jack's Run is going to be pretty competitive just because we're racing for that last Big Ten spot. Ideally, I hope to have a good race at Jack's and make it to Big Tens, but if not, just end the year strong because it's my senior year. I haven't fully decided if I will come back for a fifth year yet, but right now my plan is to graduate and move on at the end of this year.
GS: What does the team have to work on fine tuning these next few weeks?
DA: Just staying healthy. Coach Hopkins has been talking about that, and I think we've put in the work already. I remember in high school, you were always trying to work harder. Here, you have to learn to listen to your body and back off. Rest is actually going to help you. You can't really put in extra work now; it doesn't really matter at this point. Just rest and get ready.
GS: What are you looking forward to most about next spring and track season?
DA: I'm looking forward to racing the 10,000m. I haven't raced it yet, so I really hope to do that. I had a good year of training this last year, and even this little hiccup isn't too bad, so I'm hoping that I'll actually have a strong track season and be able to travel and compete.
GS: How is the fall semester going for you academically?
DA: Good! I'm taking a lot of hard, upper division classes, so none of them are an easy A but I really like them. I'm finally out of the "weed-out" classes and studying things I really want to learn. I'm enjoying studying. After I graduate, I'm planning to go to grad school. I haven't applied yet; I'm planning to take a gap year to decide. I'm thinking pre-med or pre-nursing. Those are my two biggest interests.
###
Players Mentioned
